Ask Safe Sitter

Q. Why does the Instructor Manual instruct students to count aloud the 5 abdominal thrusts (or back blows/chest thrusts) during practice?

A. One reason is that it helps them keep track of the number of thrusts (or blows) given. The other is that in an emergency, counting aloud helps the sitter stay focused on what she is doing. Graduates have told us staying focused helped them not only remember what to do, but helped them to stay calm and comfort the child by telling him what they are doing.

August Graduates Twenty-five

Russellville graduates: Samy, Valerie, Stephanie, Chandler, Kristine, Sass, Eleanor, Cadie Beth, Jordan, Hailey, Anna, Annalise, Andrea, Mariah, Whitley, Bailey
Pottsville: Emma, Isabella
Dardanelle: Logan, Lindsey, Lauren
Dover: Alicia, Shelby, Brooklyn
Pelsor: Dusty

July Graduates

Fifteen Safe Sitters completed the second of the three class sessions being held this summer at St. Mary's Annex. Favorite sections of the class included making play-dough, practice changing diapers, making nutritous snacks, and the visiting professional instructors. Marshall Gattis of Pope County EMS taught infant and toddler CPR and choking rescue while Officer Josh McMillan of Russellville Police Department took questions regarding safety. Students were from all across the River Valley. Russellville graduates were Caitlyn, Tabitha, Sarah, Carter, and Katie. From Pottsville, Quinn and Sydney. From Dover, Mattie and Allie. From London, Hannah and Lydia. From New Blaine, Ashlyn; from Dardanelle, Delaney; from Danville, Holly; and from Atkins, Shyla.

Current Sitter of the Year

Did you know that Saint Mary's is only one of almost 900 Safe Sitter teaching sites in all 50 states and England? Each year the entire Safe Sitter organization names one “hero” as Sitter of the Year. This year’s hero is Noele, a teenager who used abdominal thrusts she learned in class to save the life of her four-year old sister, MacKenzie, who was choking.

While babysitting Mackenzie, Noele left the room to get a drink to go along with her breakfast when she heard Mackenzie coughing. “By the time I got back, Mackenzie had stopped coughing and acted like she was gagging,” recalls Noele. “She could not talk. Her face was turning red and she put her hands on her throat. I made her stand up, got behind her, and did the Heimlich like I learned in class! The food popped out and Mackenzie started crying. It was not until afterwards that I realized how scared I really was — I just did it! Then I called my mom!”

Safe Sitter Workshops

The Safe Sitter Program is designed for ages 11-15 who want to learn how to safely care for children. A healthy lunch and snacks are provided. The program fee for the two-day session is $35 per student and includes all materials, t-shirt and backpack. Participation is limited to 25 students per session. Students must complete a two-day class session to receive certification.

June Graduates

Safe Sitters Grace, Stephanie, Julia, Kylie, Josie, and Brooklyn recently completed the first session of three St. Mary's Safe Sitter babysitting workshops being held this summer. The workshops are made possible by Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Office.