AMERICAN RED CROSS OFFERS WATER SAFETY TIPS

 Learn CPR and First Aid Skills from the American Red Cross
Red Cross instructors teach valuable
Water Safety Programs available at the YMCA of Bradford Co.

 The Bradford Sullivan Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross reminds families to follow these safety tips for staying healthy and safe in or around the water: 

• Learn to swim and swim well.  One of the best things anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim.  No one, including adults should ever swim alone. Adults should practice “reach supervision” which means to be within arm’s length of a child in case an emergency occurs. 
• Outfit everyone with the proper gear.  Kids – and even adults – who are not strong swimmers or who appear to rely on inflatable toys for safety should use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) whenever they are in or around the water.  Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use an approved PFD when boating. When used properly, this lightweight plastic equipment can help save lives.
• Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the residential pool and know how to use it.  A first aid kit, cordless phone, phone list with emergency contact information, reaching pole and ring buoy with a line attached are recommended.  First aid kits should contain plastic face shields, which can help prevent disease transmission.  Plastic ring buoys are a good idea; because of their maneuverability even a child can use one if the need arises.  In addition, the Red Cross recommends that pools be surrounded on all sides by a fence that is at least four feet high.  It should not provide any footholds, which would allow a child to climb over or spacing to climb through.  The fence should have a self-closing, self-locking gate locks when the pool is not in use. 
• Swim in supervised areas only.
• Obey "No Diving" signs.
• Watch out for the "dangerous too's." Take a break at the point of being too tired, too cold, or too far from safety, too much sun, too little hydration, too much strenuous activity.
• Don’t mix alcohol and swimming.  Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
• Pack a “safety” bag for a day at the beach or lake.  Water-proof sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher, water shoes to keep feet safe from the heat and sharp objects on land and plenty of water are musts.  All containers should be plastic to prevent injuries from breaking glass.  Also, a hat and sunglasses keep eyes safe from dangerous UV rays.
• Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

·         Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR.  While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is important to know what to do if a situation arises. And all caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings and babysitters should have these lifesaving skills.

For more information on staying safe in and around the water visit www.redcross.org] or contact the Bradford Sullivan Counties American Red Cross Chapter at (570) 265-2797.  OR Bradford County YMCA at (570) 268-9622. 

The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country and across the world—in emergencies.  Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new—the nearly 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through almost 900 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world.  Some 4 million people give blood—the gift of life—through the Red Cross, making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.  The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from their families by military duty stay connected.  As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 181 national societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most vulnerable people.   An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.  The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.  Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

The Bradford Sullivan Counties Chapter American Red Cross

Wants You to Know, “You’ve Got the Power”

Upcoming Child/Infant CPR Class:  June 23, 2009 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Upcoming Adult CPR/First Aid Class:  June 27, 2009 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monroeton, PA – Learning basic first aid and CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can quite possibly mean the difference between life and death for someone suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) or other medical emergency.  The Bradford Sullivan Counties Chapter American Red Cross advises that being able to administer first aid and CPR/AED during the first few minutes of a medical emergency is crucial to the survival and recovery of a victim. Having these skills allows you to become a vital first responder when help is needed. 

“The Red Cross wants the public to know that everyone has the power to save a life. At least one person in every household and on every office floor should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED,” says Patricia A Sheets, Chapter Exec. of Bradford Sullivan Counties Chapter Red Cross. “On average, it takes emergency personnel 12 minutes to arrive on scene. For someone who is choking or has stopped breathing that may be too late. By learning simple rescue skills, you can go from a helpless bystander to a person with the ability to take control help someone during an emergency.”

First aid and CPR/AED are commonly taught to everyday people who may be the only ones able to respond during the crucial first few minutes of an accident or medical emergency. Nearly everyone is capable of learning and becoming certified in first aid and CPR/AED. 

Becoming trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED gives the average person the knowledge and skills essential to lessen the effect of injury or sudden illness and helps sustain life until professional responders arrive.

Each year, roughly one million people in the United States suffer from SCA – almost half will die as a result. Being able to perform CPR or use an AED early on is crucial in preventing brain damage and will greatly increase a victim’s odds for survival.

First aid and CPR/AED can not only be used when SCA strikes, but can also help save victims of drowning, electrocution, accidental poisoning, suffocation and drug overdose.

The most effective way to learn first aid and CPR/AED is to participate in hands-on training courses taught by a certified Red Cross instructor.  While quick-overview videos and courses help you to become familiar with safety training; attending certification courses under the supervision of a qualified instructor is the best way to obtain the skills and confidence needed to successfully perform first aid and CPR/AED.  And, in order to remain confident and keep skills current, it is recommended that you attend refresher courses and be re-certified yearly. 

The Red Cross offers thorough and flexible training programs, which help you prepare for emergencies and life-threatening situations.  Courses are available for administering help to infants, children and adults, as well as, for fulfilling training requirements for  workplaces, and for professional rescuers. 

To find out how you can have the power to save a life, contact the Bradford Sullivan Counties Chapter at (570) 265-2797 for more information on the variety of health and safety courses being offered.

Upcoming Adult CPR/First Aid Class:  June 27, 2009 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Upcoming Child/Infant CPR Class:  June 23, 2009 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected.  Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States.  The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.  An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs.  The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.

As schools are closed across the area and people are out and about going on vacations we need to remember the call for blood is still there.  Who needs blood?  It could be someone you know.  An accident victim could use as many as 100 pints.  A premature baby could use 4 pints while in intensive care.  A Leukemia victim may use 2 to 6 pints and may need a transfusion of platelets daily for 2 to 4 weeks!  Or someone with an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm may use up to 6 pints.  The list goes on, surgery patients, cancer victims, other diseases.  So please do your part and join us at a blood drive this summer near you. 

There are several ways we are saying thank you to you, our dedicated donors.  Could be a complementary Red Cross beach ball, or maybe a VIP Pass to the Vans Warped Tour concert at Montage Mountain on July 15th, how about a carton of Friendly's ice cream?  And there is always the chance to win a $50.00 savings bond sponsored by our local banks.

Tuesday, June 23 - St Basil's Auditorium, Church Hill Rd, Dushore - 12 pm - 6 pm

Thursday, June 25 - Warren Center Municipal Building, Schoolhouse Rd, Warren Center - 2 pm to 6 pm - Red Cross Beach Ball to all presenting donors

Monday, July 6 - Vans Warped Tour at Towanda High School Old Gymnasium, High School Dr, Towanda - 1 pm to 6 pm - VIP Pass to all presenting donors - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Tuesday, July 7 - Troy Area - site yet unknown - watch the papers & listen to Wiggle 100 for updates - 1 pm to 6 pm - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Thursday, July 9 - Media Days Drive at Towanda High School Old Gymnasium, High School Dr, Towanda - 12 pm to 6 pm - door prizes from local sponsors - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Thursday, July 16 - Craftmaster Inc., Shiner Rd, Wysox - 11:30 am to 4:30 pm - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Monday, July 20 - Wyalusing American Legion, Bowling Ally Rd, Wyalusing - 1 pm to 6 pm - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Saturday, July 25 - South Creek Fire Station 1, Roaring Run Rd, Fassett - 1 pm to 6 pm - In Memory of Deb Kjellander - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Tuesday, August 4 - Sherwood Groves Auto Group, Route 6, Wysox - 1 pm to 6 pm - co-sponsored by Wysox Ambulance - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Monday, August 10 - Canton Moose Lodge, Sullivan St, Canton - 1 pm to 6 pm - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Friday, August 21 - Rome Fire Hall, Main St, Rome - 2 pm to 6 pm - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

Thursday, August 27 - St Basil's Auditorium, Church Hill Rd, Dushore - 1 pm to 6 pm - Friendly's Ice Cream coupon to all presenting donors

All donors must be 17 years old (16 with parental attendance), weigh no less than 110 pounds & be in good health.  Anyone wishing to donate must bring a form of ID.

We encourage all people who are eligible to consider donating at one of these drives.  Summer is a busy time for all with vacations and summer activities.  We sometimes forget that the need for blood does not drop because we are on the move ourselves.  So if you are able please give 1 pint of your blood and you may help save 3 lives, it may be someone you love. You may make an appointment by calling 1-800-432-8045 or simply walk in.  All donors must be 17 years old (16 with parental attendance), weigh no less than 110 pounds & be in good health.  Anyone wishing to donate must bring a form of ID. 

The Bradford Sullivan Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross is a member of the
Bradford County United Way.

       All donors must be 17 years old (16 with parental attendance),
weigh no less than 110 pounds and be in good health. 
Anyone wishing to donate must bring a form of ID.