The Red Cross, in any form, can probably best be described as an organization of help and hope. For centuries, this organization has dedicated itself, through volunteerism and compassion, to helping those in need. Perhaps Mr. Rogers really says it best: 

The Red Cross, as we commonly think of it, is actually a global movement, made up of three distinct parts. The American Red Cross is part of the Global Red Cross Network, which is the largest humanitarian network in the world, with a presence and activities in almost every country. They all share the same purpose: to help those who suffer, without discrimination, whether during conflict, in response to disasters, or due to chronic poverty. 

Each part of the global Red Cross has its own individual status and has no authority over the others. The network consists of:

·        The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

·        The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

·        The National Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies

We’ll take a look at each piece in great detail below.

Founded in 1919, it is comprised of 190 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies and seeks to coordinate peacetime humanitarian relief efforts throughout the world. The Red Crescent is used in place of the Red Cross in many Islamic countries. The IFRC and its National Societies provide assistance around the globe without discrimination based on nationality, race, religion, class, or politics. 

You can watch a quick overview of the organization here: 

The IFRC coordinates large scale international relief operations, leveraging the network of National Societies. Such coordination and cooperation mean that both the IFRC and National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent are able to assist those most in need almost anywhere on the globe. Notably, the IFRC coordinates:

·        international disaster relief operations

·        assistance to refugees outside conflict areas 

·        the promotion of national disaster preparedness programs

·        assisting national societies in improving the services the provide to their communities

The IFRC, and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, rely on a set of fundamental principles to guide the organizations in meeting their mission. Those principles are:

·        Humanity: Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being, promoting mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and peace among people.

·        Impartiality: It does not discriminate as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It serves those who are suffering, guided solely by their needs, and giving priority to those in most need of assistance.

·        Neutrality: It does not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies regarding politics, race, religion or ideology.

·        Independence: The Red Cross is independent, and maintains its autonomy to act in accordance with Red Cross principles.

·        Voluntary: The Red Cross is a voluntary relief movement.

·        Unity: There can only be one Red Cross society in any one country. It must be open to all, and carry on its humanitarian work throughout the territory.

·        Universality: The Red Cross is a worldwide institution in which all societies are equal and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other.

Of course, adhering to those principles in this fast-changing world can have its challenges. 

The community-based arm of the Red Cross, there are more than 190 Red Cross/Red Crescent societies. As mentioned in the IFRC principles, each country has a single society. Organizational structure and size vary widely, as do the ways in which they provide humanitarian aid to their communities. Each society focuses on helping members within its borders:

·        The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation/s blood supply.

·        The Palestine Red Crescent Society and Mexican Red Cross both operate hospitals and ambulances.

·        The Kenyan, Russian, and Vietnam Red Cross provide care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS. 

By and large, the Red Cross is staffed by a volunteer force, lending their time and skills when and where they are needed most. Approximately 95% of the American Red Cross disaster relief support is volunteer based. It is also supported by donors at all levels. They operate independently of the government, though they do coordinate with them to respond most effectively in many cases. While they respond quickly and efficiently to large scale disasters, such as Hurricane Maria, or our current freezing weather in the mid-West, their most consistent support in the US comes from responding to local emergencies. The American Red Cross estimates that it responds to a disaster every 8 minutes; and 90% of its responses are to house fires.

In addition to mobilizing and responding to disasters, the Red Cross takes preparedness seriously, providing life saving training to the community. A large part of the mission of the American Red Cross, and indeed, the international organizations, is educating the populace to allow people to respond more effectively to a disaster in their own lives.

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is an emergency procedure performed when someone’s heart has stopped beating. Performing CPR can double or even tripe the victim’s chances of survival after cardiac arrest!  CPR keeps up active blood flow when the victim’s heart has stopped, which keeps blood and oxygen flowing until trained medical staff can arrive to assist and administer further aid. 

CPR has existed in some form since the 1700s! Even with more limited medical knowledge, the Paris Academy of Sciences officially recommended mouth-to-mouth aid for drowning victims in 1740. While many people likely provided aid to victims in the interim, in 1891 Dr. Friedrich Mass performed the first documented chest compressions on a person. In 1960, after years of intervening science and work with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, CPR was developed as a technique and the American Heart Association started teaching the procedure to physicians. Beginning in the 1970s, medical organizations began to offer CPR to average citizens in the hopes that more lives would be saved. In 2008, the American Heart Association released a statement recommending the newer Hands-Only CPR be performed by bystanders who witness a sudden cardiac event. 

Why develop Hands Only?

Hands Only CPR was developed after it was determined that many teens and adults who suddenly collapse were likely breathing normally just prior to the incident, meaning that there is likely already sufficient oxygen in their blood stream to sustain them for a few minutes. Additionally, many bystanders, though they may have been trained in CPR, might not remember the proper order of steps involved in Mouth-to-Mouth CPR. Essentially, any CPR is better than no CPR when someone has collapsed and is not breathing/suffering from a cardiac event. 

What Is the Best Way to Help?

Ultimately, no matter what type of CPR is performed, the first step is always to call 9-1-1. If there are multiple bystanders, someone who is not administering direct aid should be directed to call for help. If there is only one bystander, they should first call for help and then administer CPR if they are able. 

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “Who We Are – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)”. http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/the-movement/icrc/

American Red Cross. “The Global Red Cross Network”. https://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/global-red-cross-network.html

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “The IFRC – Our Vision and Mission”. http://www.ifrc.org/en/who-we-are/vision-and-mission/

Burns, Mary. “American Red Cross”. Rediscovering San Diego. 2018. https://sites.google.com/sdceonline.com/rsdfall17/weekly-venues-fall-2018/red-cross?authuser=0

American Heart Association. “History of CPR”. https://cpr.heart.org/AHAECC/CPRAndECC/AboutCPRFirstAid/HistoryofCPR/UCM_475751_History-of-CPR.jsp

SureFire CPR. “Hands Only vs Mouth to Mouth CPR Guide”. https://www.surefirecpr.com/wp-content/uploads/SureFire-CPR-Hands-Only-vs-Mouth_to_Mouth-CPR-Guide.pdf