WITH JAMAICA'S crime and violence unending, and predictions by environmentalists in this week's Gleaner of yet another year of natural disasters, medical skills might be at a premium. But you can contribute.The Jamaica Red Cross, which has 3,000 volunteers islandwide, is continuing to offer medical training courses throughout 2006 from first aid to home nursing.
"This seems dramatic, but first aid can be a matter of life or death at the scene of an accident and also the first stage of the injured person's recovery. Our emergency services are not ideal and if you are there you can help make the difference," Kimberly Carraha, director of Kingston and St. Andrew Red Cross, said, recently.
START DATE
Courses should start next week at the Kingston and St. Andrew branch, said training and communications coordinator, Trevesa DaSilva. But he emphasised that the start date would be dependent upon demand, with classes requiring a minimum of 10 persons.
"Just call up and let us know what your particular interests are. We have courses across the island and all you need to do is to contact your local parish branch," she said.
The Red Cross charges a fee to provide the courses and for which the organisation can be contacted for further information. Costs vary according to courses.
The two most popular courses are Basic First Aid, which lasts eight to 10 weeks or 10 to 12 weeks, depending on class size and ease of teaching; and the 14-16-week Standard First Aid, which offers the same content as Basic First Aid, but also includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.
For more information, contact your local Red Cross branch or national headquarters: Jamaica Red Cross headquarters, telephone: 984-7860-2; email: jrcs@infochan.com; or website: www.jamaicaredcross.org.
Red Cross medical courses
Basic First AidStandard First AidCommunity First AidWorkplace SafetyHome Nursing
