American Red Cross Health and Safety Courses

American Red Cross Health and Safety Courses offered by BSA Venturing Crew 80

Venturing Crew 80 is an Authorized Provider of American Red Cross Health and Safety training to scouts and scout leaders as they work on advancement requirements and their need for First Aid certified persons on various camping and high adventure trips.

Location: Courses are held at the First Christian Church, 2723 King Street in Alexandria, VA. This is the meeting location of Venture Crew 80. Other locations within the City of Alexandria can be arranged on a case by case basis.

Costs: These courses are taught by ARC certified volunteer instructors at a reduced cost to scouts and leaders. Those not in the Scouting program should contact their local ARC Chapter. The cost includes the required books and training materials, including manikin breathing barriers, disposable gloves, etc. The cost for these courses is less than those generally charged to the public. As our costs do change, our prices will vary accordingly.

Courses: Adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) with Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Standard First Aid (FA), and Wilderness First Aid Basics (WFAB). These are the primary courses for scouts and venturers. Requests for other Red Cross Health and Safety courses will be considered on a case by case basis. Information concerning Review and Challenge courses may be obtained via e-mail (see below).

CPR, AED, Standard First Aid

Course Outline: CPR/AED -- Before Giving Care, Checking an ill or Injured Person, Breathing Emergencies & Conscious Choking, Cardiac Emergencies & Cardiac Chain of Survival, CPR & Unconscious Choking, and AED. FA -- Soft Tissue Injuries, Injuries to Muscles, Bones and Joints, Sudden Illness, Heat- and Cold-Related Emergencies.

Course Length and certificates: Adult CPR/AED is 4 ½ hours with a one year certificate. A-CPR/AED/FA is 6 ½ hours with a one year certificate for CPR/AED and a three year certificate for FA. In order to become certified, participants must successfully demonstrate all skills, fully participate in practice scenarios, and score 80% or higher on the written (multiple choice) exams. These courses were updated in the Spring of 2006.

Class size: 10 students (additional students require a second instructor).

Age: Age itself is not the sole indicator of the probability of success in CPR/AED. However, reading level, vocabulary, attention span and physical endurance are key to success. The ability to compress an adult manikin to a depth of 2 inches at a rate of 100 per minute is required. Typically these skills are present in 13 year olds and up. Advance arrangements should be made with the instructors for CPR/AED participants less than 13 years of age to insure success, especially with the written examination.

Registration: Advance registration is required. Payment may be made at the course. Registration information should include name (as it is to appear on the Red Cross Certificate), street address, scout unit number, and a telephone or e-mail contact. Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment or instructor emergency.

Other considerations: Comfortable clothing should be worn. Class members and manikins are used during practice sessions. The ability to get down on the floor to do CPR is important. A bag lunch is appropriate for A-CPR/AED/FA.

Course Outline: Types of Delayed-help Situations; Emergency Action Steps; Checking the scene, patient, and resources; Contacting help; Caring for the patient long term; Patient assessment and Record; Preventing Disease Transmission; Prioritizing Care; Treatment of injuries such as: Wounds; Head and Spinal Injuries; Extremity Injuries; Abdominal Injuries; Sudden Illnesses; Major Bites and Stings; Other types of backcountry miseries; Carrying Out the Plan; and Deciding to Evacuate

Course Length and certificate: 16 hours and has a three year certificate. In order to become certified, participants must successfully demonstrate all skills, fully participate in practice scenarios, and score 80% or higher on the written (multiple choice) exams.

Class size: Minimum of 8, maximum of 12 for a single instructor. Additional students can be accommodated with a second instructor.

Age: There is a strongly recommended minimum age of 15 years, due to the sensitivity of decision making which is part of the course. This includes deciding how and when to leave an injured person alone to go get help, and when to discontinue CPR. Maturity is important.

Registration: Advance registration is required. Full payment must be received approximately two weeks prior to the course date as materials will be ordered from North Carolina and are non-returnable. Registration information should include name (as it is to appear on the Red Cross Certificate), street address, scout unit number, and a telephone or e-mail contact. Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment or instructor emergency.

Other considerations: Comfortable clothing should be worn. Class members are used as injured persons during practice sessions. The basic concept is that the injured person is more than 30 minutes, possibly days, from EMS help. Participants will need some hiking or camping gear but not tents during the course. Basic First Aid and CPR training are appropriate prior to WFAB, as WFAB does not include CPR. A bag lunch is appropriate.