Red Cross offering new child first aid class, free CPR training Red Cross offering new child first aid class, free CPR training (February 15, 2002)

The Palo Alto Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering a hands-on first aid class called "First Aid For Little People" specially designed for children in grades K-2 Feb. 21 and May 15 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $10.

The hour-long session focuses on very simple procedures that can help children stay calm and in control if they fall off their bike or the monkey bars at the park. Some of the topics to be included: The body's reaction to a cut, the importance of cleaning a wound and putting on a bandage, and staying calm.

"Children feel empowered by first aid and safety training," said Rosanna Bonfilio, youth education specialist at the Palo Alto Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. "IT can help them become leaders on the playground or around the neighborhood."

The class will teach children how to use the phone in the event thay have to call 911. "We will have phones set up so that children can practice speaking to another adult and hear what sorts of questions will be asked if they were to call 911," said Bonfilio. Each child will also receive a first aid kit to take home.

The class will also talk about choking and the hazards of eating on the run. "We reiterate the safety tips that parents give their kids on a daily basis," said Bonfilio. "Sometimes children are more receptive when they hear them from someone else," she said.

The Red Cross offices are located at 400 Mitchell Lane in Palo Alto. For more information, call Rosanna Bonfilio at 688-0427 or Deepa Arora, public relations manager at 688-0424.

The Palo Alto Area Chapter of the American Red Cross will also offer free CPR training to the community March 9. CPR Saturday is a free training day designed to teach people valuable lifesaving skills such as rescue breathing, recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack and stroke, performing CPR, and clearing the airway of a choking victim.

"Most cardiac-related deaths occur outside the hospital," said Marina Holmes, interim director of health and safety at the Palo Alto Area Chapter of the Red Cross. "An early call to 911 to access paramedics and immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death," she said.

Classes start at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Mountain View Recreation Center on Rengstorff Avenue and the Foothill College Cafeteria in Los Altos. A class will also be offered in Spanish at 9 a.m. at the Mountain View Recreation Center.

Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. To pre-register call 688-0440.