Would you know what to do if your child or a child you know suddenly begins choking, has a cardiac emergency, or experiences a near drowning? There's no time for panic in these life-threatening situations. You need to know the skills to save the young life.

Approximately 60 parents, grandparents, expectant parents and grandparents, childcare providers, and others are now armed with these potentially life-saving skills thanks to a course led by professionals from the American Red Cross in Nassau County. The participants joined in "Infant/Child CPR Saturday," which was recently conducted as part of "Red Cross Month" by the American Red Cross in Nassau County in conjunction with Winthrop University Hospital. The course was taught at the hospital's Conference Center in Mineola.

The participants learned the techniques and principles of infant and child CPR to help save lives. The course taught how to respond to emergencies with infants and children from birth to eight years of age and how to give care for respiratory, choking or cardiac emergencies. Participants also had an opportunity to take a written exam, which, if passed, granted them official American Red Cross certification in Infant/Child CPR.

Anyone interested in taking Infant/Child CPR can contact the American Red Cross in Nassau County at 747-3500. A course schedule is also available at www.NassauRedCross.org.