Red Cross Survey Finds More than Two-thirds of Americans
Experience a Summer Emergency
As summer approaches, families can be prepared for emergencies
by taking Red Cross training
Newton, NJ, May 28, 2010 — A new Red Cross survey shows that 68 percent of Americans have been involved in some kind of summer emergency, ranging from insect bites, heat stroke and broken bones to more life-threatening situations. One in every four people said they had been in a situation where someone needed CPR.
The survey1 of more than 1,000 adults found that Americans say they are most comfortable giving CPR to family members, friends and coworkers, with less than half very likely to perform CPR on a stranger. The survey showed that physical appearance was a significant factor when people are deciding to perform CPR on a stranger, and men with a disheveled or sloppy appearance were the least likely to receive assistance, with only half of respondents saying they would very likely try to give them CPR.
Americans plan to be very active this summer, as the survey found that more than 40 percent will go hiking or camping and almost 75 percent will go swimming. While people expect to be active, the Red Cross found that many were not confident they knew what to do in an emergency - less than two-thirds felt confident helping a heat stroke victim and fewer than half could help someone with an allergic reaction to an insect or snake bite.
Previous Red Cross research found that nearly 90 percent of Americans say they want to be prepared for an emergency, but they don’t know where to start or what to do.
“With so many people outdoors camping, hiking and swimming, it’s important that someone in every household get trained in CPR and first aid skills,” says Melissa Turner, Health and Safety Director for the Sussex County Chapter of the American Red Cross, “Learning these lifesaving skills is easier and more convenient than you might think, and Red Cross training can help people prevent and respond to life’s emergencies – big or small.” Turner added, “Your local Red Cross is offering First Aid and CPR training courses throughout the summer so families can stay safe while enjoying their fun in the sun and be prepared to handle emergency situations, the Red Cross teaches swimming and water safety skills, trains people in life-saving skills through its Lifeguarding and CPR/AED courses, and offers life saving training for young people through its Babysitter Training courses.” Following is the summer course schedule.
On Thursday, June 3rd an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 6:00pm – 10:30pm. 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.
On Thursday, June 10th a Recertification in CPR for the Professional Rescuer training will be offered from 6:00pm-10:00pm. 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, June 19th a First Aid course will be offered from 8:30am to 12:30pm. 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 Monday, June 21st, an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered from 6:00pm -10:30pm. 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 Tuesday, June 29th a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 9:00am to 3:30pm. 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 Thursday, July 1st an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 6:00pm – 10:30pm. 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.
On Saturday, July 10th a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 9:30am to 4:00pm at the Main Branch of the Sussex County Library. Registration for this class must be completed through the Red Cross office prior to July 10th. 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 Wednesday, July 14th an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered from 9:00am to 1:30pm. 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 Monday, July 19th a First Aid course will be offered from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. 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 Thursday, July 22nd a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 9:00am to 3:30pm. 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
The full CPR for the Professional Rescuer class is being offered from 6:00pm to 10:00pm on Monday and Tuesday, August 2nd and 3rd. Participants must attend both nights. This course includes the latest science on CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care and participants will learn how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies in adults, children and infants, how to use an AED on an adult or child victim of cardiac arrest, the proper use of personal protective equipment to stop bloodborne pathogens and other diseases from spreading and more. Registration is required – NO WALK-INS will be accepted.
On Monday, August 9th an Adult CPR/AED course will be offered from 6:00pm – 10:30pm. 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.
On Saturday, August 14th a Babysitter’s Training course is being offered from 9:00am to 3:30pm. 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, August 19th a First Aid course will be offered from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. 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, August 24th an Infant and Child CPR class will be offered from 6:00pm to 10:30pm. 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
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a non-profit organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.sussexredcross.org or call our office at 973-579-1600.
1Details: Telephone survey of 1,018 U.S. Adults 18 years and older on March 26-29, 2010 conducted by Infogroup | ORC. Margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
