The American Red Cross Want You to Know, “You’ve Got The Power”
Newton, NJ March 25, 2009 – Learning basic first and CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can quite possibly mean the difference between life and death for someone suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) or other medical emergency. The American Red Cross advises that being able to administer first aid and CPR/AED during the first few minutes of a medical emergency is crucial to the survival and recovery of a victim. Having these skills allows you to become a vital first responder when help is needed.
“The Red Cross wants the public to know that everyone has the power to save a life. At least one person in every household and on every office floor should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED,” says Health and Safety Director Melissa Turner of the Sussex County Chapter. “On average, it takes emergency personnel approximately 12 minutes to arrive on scene. For someone who is choking or has stopped breathing that me be too late. By learning simple rescue skills, you can go from a helpless bystander to a person wit the ability to take control and help someone during an emergency.”
The Red Cross offers thorough and flexible training programs, which help you prepare for emergencies and life-threatening situations. Courses are available for administering help to infants, children and adults as well as, for fulfilling training requirement for workplaces, and for professional rescuers.
To find out how you can have the power to save a life contact the local chapter at 973-579-1600 or visit www.sussexredcross.org for more information on the variety of health and safety courses being offered. Other classes currently being offered include:
On Monday, April 6th, a First Aid course will be offered from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. This course is intended to teach lay responders the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in an emergency, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives. The fee is $45.00.
On Tuesday, April 14th and Thursday, April 16th - a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 1:00pm to 4:30pm. Participants must attend both days. The Babysitter’s Training course has a unique interactive, educational format that tasks youth, ages 11 – 15 years of age, with activities such as identifying safety problems around the house and yard and selecting age-appropriate toys and games for children in their care. The fee for this course is $65.00
On Monday, April 20th, an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered from 6:00 -10:30 p.m. Attendees will learn the skills needed to provide care for infants and children in the case of breathing emergencies, and perform CPR. The fee is $55.00
On Thursday, April 24th, a Recertification in CPR for the Professional Rescuer is being offered from 8:30 am to 12:30pm. CALLING ALL LIFEGUARDS – Time to re-certify! This course is designed for any individual who has a duty to respond to emergencies. Topics include recognizing and responding to breathing and cardiac emergencies, two-rescuer CPR techniques for drowning and other special situations, using resuscitation and bag-valve masks, use of an AED for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest and using an AED when CPR is already in progress. The fee for the class is $45 and participants must have their own pocket mask.
On Saturday, April 25th, an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 6:00 – 10:30 p.m. The course imparts the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care for breathing emergencies, perform CPR, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save victims of sudden cardiac arrest. The fee is $50.00.
Pre-Registration and payment for all classes is required. To sign up for Dog First Aid training at either location or to find out about future classes, contact the Sussex County Chapter at 973-579-1600 or visit the website at www.sussexredcross.org. The chapter accepts all major credit cards. The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.
