The Norman Transcript

July 29, 2010

Red Cross offers Emergency Response course

Transcript Staff
The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — The American Red Cross, Heart of Oklahoma Chapter has scheduled a course that trains individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as first responders in an emergency to help sustain life, reduce pain and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until more advanced medical help can arrive.

The 56-hour course begins Aug. 23 and concludes Oct. 9, with most sessions on Monday and Wednesday evenings and two all-day Saturday classes on Sept. 11 and Oct. 9. There is no prerequisite.

This course will certify individuals in Emergency Response for three years and CPR for the Healthcare Provider for two years.

It will include such topics as how to assess a victim’s condition; recognizing life-threatening bleeding and how to control it; recognizing and treating the signs and symptoms of various soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries; recognizing and treating common types of medical and trauma emergencies in infants and children; recognizing and treating the signs and symptoms of medical and behavioral emergencies, including altered mental status, seizures, poisoning, heat and cold emergencies, and stroke; identifying breathing devices and how to use them; when to move a victim in an emergency and the appropriate methods of doing so; and more.

The cost of the course is $300. American Red Cross Health and Safety courses help finance all Chapter services, including disaster assistance and emergency assistance to the military.

For more information or to enroll in the course, call Josh Bridges at 321-0591.