Organization Encourages Residents to Stay Safe as Fall Activities Commence
DUBOIS – As the fall season arrives, thousands of student athletes and coaches will be back on the field or court, practicing their sport of choice. The American Red Cross has training and resources available for people to learn how to treat a variety of emergencies and injuries that may occur throughout the sports season.
This fall, the Red Cross will offer online training for student athletes, coaches and spectators to further prepare individuals who attend sporting events. Interested area residents can register for these courses by visiting RedCross.org or calling 1-800-REDCROSS.
“School and neighborhood coaches, athletes and spectators should know how to help prevent and respond to common sports injuries such as strains and sprains, fractures, cuts and concussions,” said Jason Bange, executive director of the area Red Cross. “Our preparedness, health and safety courses give residents the right tools and resources to be prepared at any sporting event this season.”
Safe Kids Worldwide reports that every 25 seconds a child is hurt playing sports and that more than 1 million emergency room visits are made due to sports injuries each year. Sports injuries account for about 20 percent of all injury-related emergency room visits for young people, according to their study.
Red Cross has developed a number of resources for everyone involved in sports and recreational activities:
- First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches is an online program for teens and adults who coach at any age level. Developed with the National Federation of State High School Associations, this course covers first aid skills including breathing emergencies and injuries to muscles, bones and joints. Coaches are encouraged to take a CPR/AED course as well.
- Family First Aid and CPR is an online course for those not required to have OSHA-compliant certification. Participants learn how to treat cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies until help arrives. Pediatric modules are also available.
- American Red Cross First Aid App is a free app for smart phones and tablets. It gives users instant access to information on how to handle the most common first aid situations, and includes videos and interactive quizzes. The app puts lifesaving information right in people’s hands wherever and whenever they need it.
Information on courses and additional resources are available at RedCross.org. A variety of Red Cross apps can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross, or by going to RedCross.org/mobileapps.
Preparedness, Health and Safety Courses
The area Red Cross will host the below health and safety courses this month at the local chapter office located 109 N. Brady St. in DuBois.
- Saturday, Oct. 26; 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Adult First Aid/CPR/AED; $90
- Saturday, Oct. 26; 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Adult CPR/AED; $70
In addition to area residents, businesses, organizations and community groups can register for private instruction from the Red Cross. To register for a nearby individual class or private group instruction, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCross.org.