Performing CPR is a quick way to save someone's life - if you know CPR. Baytownians who don't know CPR can learn CPR FREE, with the aid of a library card. Baytown Fire and Emergency Services in conjunction the City of Baytown Health Department EMS Division, and Sterling Municipal Library started to offer CPR Instruction Kits for checkout in July of 2000. The kits are self-contained with a video and instructions for citizens to learn CPR at home with their family.

Each 'Rescue Me' kit contains a step-by-step video that shows the viewer exactly how to perform CPR, one adult/child practice mannequin, one infant practice mannequin, six replaceable lung bags and a CPR/choking first aid home study manual. The kit also contains information on how to perform mouth-to-mouth breathing, conscious choking (Heimlich maneuver), and unconscious choking rescue procedures for adults, children and infants.

This program is aimed at letting citizens learn CPR in their home. There is no class time and no certificate is issued. If Baytown citizens would like to take a CPR class they can go to www.americanheart.org. to find local classes or call the American Red Cross, Baytown Chapter at 281-424-1300 for information on local classes.

Our goal with this program is to increase the survivability of sudden cardiac emergencies in Baytown. The 'RESCUE ME' program is a community effort involving the local library system, the local hospital system and local emergency providers in an attempt to make the American Heart Association's 'Chain of Survival' stronger in Baytown. For more information call Baytown Fire Department at 281-422-2311.