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Bride provides life saving CPR to toddler who drowned at her wedding reception


cpr on drowning child
Lifesaving CPR saved drowning toddler’s life

When a woman's screams pierced the night air, the wedding reception was winding down and guests were leaving.


The bottom of the deep end of the swimming pool in the backyard where the wedding was held was discovered by a toddler who had gotten away from his family.


The boy's mother leapt in to save her child, but she was in such a panic that a cousin jumped in and pulled him out.


James Pryor, the groom, contacted 911 before sinking into a chair and grabbing his face. Amber Pryor, his new wife, hurried to the scene where the youngster had been dragged from the pool and placed on the ground.


Amber had only been retrained in CPR three days prior. It's a requirement from her job at a Dallas-based cosmetic surgeon's office.


Amber began CPR while still dressed in her wedding gown.


When the water started to come up after 10 good chest compressions, she quickly flipped him over and patted him on the back to get the water out.


He was making the most horrifying gurgling sounds. Then he began to wail, and the paramedics arrived.


Amber learned CPR for the first time almost ten years ago. She was a gymnastics coach at a summer camp, and she needed CPR training because she took the kids swimming on occasion. Since then, she estimates she's been certified at least three times.


She's always been interested in medicine, and the prospect of working in the trauma field appeals to her. She realizes it's good to have the training to save a life till then.


Floating candles were set in the pool for Amber's twilight wedding. The little boy's curiosity with those candles was observed by the guests. He was reaching for one when he fell in, according to the theory.


Amber's lifesaving intervention is clearly appreciated by the boy's parents. Amber received a Heartsaver Hero award from the American Heart Association a few weeks after the accident about a year ago.


CPR was developed by the American Heart Association more than 50 years ago, and it is still being refined today. Every year, the organization trains approximately 14.5 million people in more than 60 nations. Even if they don't have official training, anyone may save a life by Hands-Only CPR" — dial 911, then push firmly and quickly in the center of the chest until aid arrives, preferably to the beat of the popular disco song "Stayin' Alive."


The youngster is now in excellent health.


Amber and James stood behind while paramedics brought the boy and his family to the hospital, hoping he would be okay.



We offer BLS, ACLS, and PALS Training and certification


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