Berkshire Red Cross Seeking First Aid, CPR and AED Instructors

The Berkshire County Chapter of the American Red Cross is continuing their campaign to recruit individuals interested in becoming instructors in Standard First Aid, Adult/Infant/Child CPR, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) programs for the lay responder.

The next Lay Responder First Aid and CPR/AED Instructor will be held at the Red Cross chapter house, 480 West Street in Pittsfield. It will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on September 11, 13, 19, 25, 26, 27 and October 3, 9, 2006. Additional makeup dates are October 10 and 11, 2006. Participants must attend all sessions.

The course is open to anyone living or working in Berkshire County who is interested in teaching basic level lay responder CPR, First Aid, and AED for the Red Cross; for their place of work; or for another community organization.

"Our goal is for one person in every household to be trained in how to save a life. This cannot be accomplished without an adequate supply of well-trained instructors teaching as volunteers for the chapter and as employees or volunteers at local businesses and organizations throughout the county," said Michael P. Murphy, coordinator of health and safety services for the local chapter.

The instructor trainer will be Gary Martin, a resident of North Adams and a Pittsfield firefighter. Martin is also a community and workplace first aid, CPR and AED instructor for the Red Cross.

The course is divided into four segments:

Segment I          September 11 & 13, 2006      6:00 p.m.--10:00 p.m.

Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT)
The purpose of this segment is to introduce instructor candidates to the history, structure and activities of the American Red Cross. To prepare instructor candidates to teach American Red Cross specialty courses to diverse populations. To introduce instructor candidates to the policies and procedures of the American Red Cross to ensure course consistency, quality and appropriate training.

Segment II     September 19, 2006      6:00 p.m.--10:00 p.m.

First Aid/CPR/AED Skills Practice
The purpose of this segment is to give you an opportunity to practice your skills in first aid and CPR and to learn how to use an AED machine. This is in preparation for Segment III.

Segment III     September 25, 2006     6:00 p.m.--10:00 p.m.

Precourse Session
First Aid/CPR/AED Program instructor candidates must take the written exams and be evaluated in areas of adult, child, and infant cardiac and breathing emergency skills, AED skills, and first aid skills. The segment is run exactly like a challenge course.

Segment IV     September 26, 27, and October 3, 9, 2006      6:00 p.m.--10:00 p.m.

Note: October 10 & 11, 2006 IF NEEDED

The purpose of the instructor course is to train instructor candidates to teach basic-level American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED courses for lay responders. You will be participating in potentially strenuous activities, such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation (AED) skills on the floor. Wear comfortable clothing. If you have a medical condition or disability that may prevent you from taking part in the skill sessions, or if you have any questions regarding your ability to participate fully in the instructor course, you should discuss this with your health-care provider or the appropriate person at the local Red Cross chapter before you start.

To teach courses and modules of the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Program, you must be thoroughly familiar with the content and skills taught in the course. Upon entry to the First Aid/CPR/AED Program Instructor course, you will be tested on your current knowledge and skills. Prior to the instructor course, thoroughly review and obtain personal copies of the following materials:

• First Aid/CPR/AED for the Workplace Participant's Workbook (StayWell Stock No. 656694)
• First Aid/CPR/AED for Schools and the Community Participant's Manual (StayWell Stock No. 652145)
• Adult CPR/AED Skills Card (StayWell Stock No. 656691)
• Infant and Child Skills Card (StayWell Stock No. 656695)
• First Aid Skills Card (StayWell Stock No. 656692)
• American Red Cross: Workplace Training: Injury-control Module Booklets

These materials can be ordered at the chapter (please give us at least two weeks notice) or directly from www.StayWell.com. You will receive your instructor manual at the start of the instructor course.

During the instructor course, you will be responsible for preparing and conducting practice-teaching assignments. The assignments will give you experience in presenting information, conducting skill sessions, and evaluating skills. An authorized instructor trainer will evaluate you during your practice-teaching assignments. To receive certification as a First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor, you must attend all sessions, successfully complete the precourse session and required practice-teaching assignments, demonstrate competency in required skills, and score at least 80 percent on the instructor examination.

The cost of the training is $125.00. The cost includes your instructor manual. As a part of the recruitment campaign the chapter will refund the full cost of the instructor training to anyone who volunteers to teach four community courses at the Red Cross chapter within a year of completing the instructor course.

Pre-registration for the course is required and must be completed by September 7, 2006 as enrollment is limited. Registration can be done at the chapter house which is located at 480 West Street in Pittsfield or by calling health and safety department at (413) 442-1506 or 1-800-332-2030. Regular business hours are 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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