August 6, 1999

"We would like to encourage parents and educators to teach children CPR. Someone took the time to teach Joey, and that has made all the difference in our lives."

    — John and Laura Walls

It started as the usual summertime fun for 3-year-old Ruby Walls, her brother, sisters and cousins as they played at their home in Sudbury, Mass., July 27. However, the fun came to an end when Ruby's father, John Walls, noticed she was missing and immediately began searching for her. Walls soon found his daughter face down on the bottom of the family's pool

He jumped into the pool to rescue his daughter and then ran into the house to call 911.

Ruby's older brother Joey, 13, immediately began performing CPR on his little sister. Joey learned CPR last year through the Boy Scouts, helping him to earn a merit badge. John Walls relayed instructions from the 911 operator to Joey, but the boy appeared to be one step ahead with the CPR procedures. Both father and son continued CPR until emergency personnel arrived to bring Ruby to Emerson Hospital in Concord.

Later that evening, Ruby was transferred to the MGH, where she was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in critical condition. Fortunately, she made a quick recovery and was discharged Aug. 4.

"We are happy to report that Ruby is doing very well. She is a fighter and has made a remarkable recovery by everyone's standards," said John and Laura Walls in a prepared statement issued July 30. "Thanks to the doctors and nurses at the MGH, she has made a quick and strong recovery."

The Walls add that, because Joey learned CPR and remained level-headed and focused during the crisis, he was able to help save his sister's life. "We would like to encourage parents and educators to teach children CPR," said the Walls. "Someone took the time to teach Joey, and that has made all the difference in our lives."