Father Uses CPR to Save His Baby’s Life—Urges All Parents to Learn First Aid
When a child suddenly stops breathing, every second counts. For Alec Brown, a father living on the remote Hebridean island of Mull, the CPR course he took just weeks earlier proved to be the difference between life and death for his 8-month-old son.
His story is a powerful reminder that everyone—especially parents—should learn basic first aid and CPR.
Infant Stops Breathing—Father Acts on His Training
Alec Brown, 29, had recently completed a community first-aid workshop in January. Living on a remote island with a young family, he knew the importance of being prepared—but he never imagined he’d need to use the skills so soon.
Weeks later, his infant son Ruaridh suddenly stopped breathing and turned blue at home. Alec called for an ambulance and then shifted into “autopilot,” relying on the training he had recently received. He checked the airway, ruled out choking, and began infant-CPR.
Within moments, the baby vomited and began to cry—and was breathing again.
Remote Location, Critical Timing
Because the family lived on Mull, emergency responders faced a long journey. The ambulance didn’t arrive until about 20 minutes later—far longer than what most CPR-trained first responders consider safe without lifesaving support in place. Ruaridh was airlifted to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, where doctors concluded the breathing failure may have been caused by a viral infection.
Alec reflected:
“Had I not known what to do, the ending could have been very different.”
A Message to Parents Everywhere: Get Trained
Alec, a volunteer for the Tobermory RNLI lifeboat crew, is now urging other parents and caregivers—especially those in remote areas—to take first aid and CPR training.
“I can’t recommend strongly enough that people learn even basic first aid. It could literally be the difference between life and death.”
Many courses are affordable or free—yet the peace of mind and potential lifesaving skill they provide are priceless.
Why CPR & AED Training Matters
When breathing stops or the heart fails, every second matters. CPR maintains blood flow to the brain and organs until advanced help or a defibrillator becomes available.
Key truths:
Most emergencies occur at home
Bystanders—not paramedics—are often first on scene
Simple CPR can double or triple a person’s survival chances
Having an AED nearby—and knowing how to use it—is the ideal scenario
You don’t need to be a medical professional—you just need the knowledge and confidence to act.
Be Prepared: Sign Up for CPR & First Aid Training
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, youth coach, or simply want to be ready to help, developing these skills matters.
Register for First Aid & CPR Courses in Calgary:
https://firstaidcalgary.ca/
Also explore our dedicated CPR & AED Course page:
https://firstaidcalgary.ca/
Original News Source
BBC News – Father who saved his baby son’s life urges others to learn first aid
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-
Further Reading
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