Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Fourth grade student helps save sister

A 9-1-1 call went out last Saturday morning, but thanks to a fourth grader paying attention to CPR instructions from the Red Cross, that call was probably more of a follow-up than an emergency response.

Penny Baker, mother of 19-month-old Gabrielle Baker, nearly lost her daughter in a seizure involving the toddler's tongue blocking her airway. The simple act of giving the girl her bottle started a family crisis.

Jonathan Allseitz, 10, Gabrielle's brother and a fourth grader at Gurdon Primary School, tells the story of what happened that morning and how paying attention in his third-grade Red Cross class last year may have saved a life.

"Mom gave my sister her bottle," Allseitz said. "My sister dropped the bottle and Mom did not know it was a seizure from a fever. She went to get water to put on Gabrielle's face and told my aunt (Robin Weedle) to go call 9-1-1.

"I give my brother Joseph credit for calming me down so I could think. My sister was not breathing so I told Mom to push on Gabrielle's stomach and breath into her. Her breath was coming back so I knew something was blocking the airway. It was Gabrielle's tongue.

"I told Mom about what was causing the blockage and she got the tongue out of the way. My sister was breathing by the time the police came."

Baker said her daughter was transported to Baptist Hospital in Arkadelphia by ambulance and checked over. All that was discovered was that it must have been a fever seizure. The child was OK, and was sent home.

"This was a very scary experience because I did not know CPR. I thank God Jonathan paid attention in class," Baker said. "Everyone should have CPR. I am grateful my son was able to take it at school last year.

"I would like to thank the Red Cross and also Gurdon Police Office Ricky "Cornbread" Clark for responding so quickly. And I want to thank the ambulance drivers too."

Debra LeMay, Red Cross executive director out of Arkadelphia, was at GPS Thursday to present Jonathan Allseitz with an OSHA approved Red Cross first aid kit and a certificate of recognition for extraordinary personal action.

LeMay said this is the first such certificate she has ever presented in nearly 10 years of being affiliated with the Red Cross.

Baker said she believes Jonathan's training and ability to use it in an emergency kept his sister alive. She said the incident has inspired her and her sister to get the training.

LeMay said anyone wanting to take CPR training can call the Red Cross, Diamond Valley Chapter, at: (870) 246-2682 and make arrangements with her. The facility is at 405 South Fifth Street in Arkadelphia.

As to what is offered at the primary school to third graders, LeMay said the Red Cross does Basic Aid Training, which includes life saving skills like CPR. The idea is to let the children know when to call 9-1-1 and give them things to do that may help while waiting on the 9-1-1 response.

LeMay said, in the case of Jonathan Allseitz last year, Red Cross worker Mikki Hastings came to GPS and taught the class. It also included the proper response to do when an individual is choking.

LeMay said, "That is why Jonathan knew how his sister had an obstruction in the airway, and that it had to be removed."

Baker said, with tears in her eyes, she believes Gabrielle could have died without Jonathan knowing what to do.

GPS Principal Rita Roe said, "You never know how much of what you are teaching children sticks with them until it comes time to use that knowledge. I am grateful we have the Red Cross and their life saving section for the sake of this family and the possibility of other such scenarios in the future."

The Red Cross comes to Gurdon periodically and was scheduled to do so on Friday, Feb. 11, at the high school to teach similar classes.

"Sky Potter was to teach that class," LeMay said. "Call our office and I will give you a complete schedule, as I know it, if anyone is interested in acquiring these essential emergency skills."