Your Red Cross Update

By: Dave Sieburg, interim executive director of the American Red Cross Central Coast Chapter

When Capitola Police Sgt. Scott Newton responded to a priority call in the Opal Cliffs area on March 31, he didn’t know he was about to face a moment that would stay with him long after the emergency was over. 

As Newton arrived in the area, a woman ran from a residence and flagged him down. He followed her inside and found her 11-month-old granddaughter unconscious and not breathing after choking on an object. The child’s mother was performing CPR while receiving instructions from a 911 dispatcher.

Newton immediately stepped in.

He took the child, placed her face down on his forearm and began administering back blows, relying on the lifesaving training he had practiced before but hoped he would never need.

“The training just clicked in,” Newton recalled.

After several attempts, he checked the child’s airway. She remained unresponsive, so he continued.

Then everything changed.

The child regained consciousness, cleared her airway and began moving and crying. He held the child until personnel from the fire department and American Medical Response arrived.

Months later, the American Red Cross Central Coast Chapter recognized Newton for those actions, presenting him with a Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action during a September meeting of the Capitola City Council.

The award recognizes individuals who step up during an emergency and help save or sustain a life, exemplifying the Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering.

For Newton, the experience also reinforced the importance of learning lifesaving skills before an emergency happens.

“In that moment, your adrenaline is pumping because you want to do the best job you can,” Newton said. “Then the training kicks in. It becomes second nature.”

Newton has received CPR and first aid training throughout his life, beginning through his swimming background in high school and continuing through regular training with the Capitola Police Department.

He describes those skills as “perishable” and believes periodically refreshing them is important.

“You never know when you’re going to need it,” Newton said. “It could be a family member or a neighbor.”

Newton also has a message for people who wonder whether they would be capable of responding during a real emergency.

“I wouldn’t sell yourself short if you’re unsure whether you’d be able to step in,” he said. “Having the training may allow you to help someone directly, or at least talk another person through what to do so they can help as well.”

For Dave Sieburg, interim executive director of the American Red Cross Central Coast Chapter, presenting Newton with the award provided an opportunity to recognize not only his actions that day, but also the lasting impact the experience had on him.

“It was an honor to present Sergeant Newton with this award, and I was especially touched to hear how deeply this lifesaving experience impacted him personally,” Sieburg said. “It’s a powerful reminder that these moments can change the lives of everyone involved.”

The Red Cross encourages everyone to learn first aid, CPR and AED skills so they are prepared to act when an emergency happens.

Get Trained 

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and potentially save a life. Online, blended and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.