‘Knowledge is power’

Chance to learn more about first aid through St. John Ambulance courses

St. John Ambulance is hosting three courses over the next month in Cornwall to give youth and adults the skills they need to perform basic first aid on people and furry friends.

The courses, all at the APM Centre, focus on pet first aid, a home alone with basic first aid and babysitting.

Diana Parks, director of learning for St John Ambulance N.S/P.E.I. council, says people of all ages should have the tools to handle emergency situations.

“Knowledge is power.” The pet first aid course, set for Jan. 7, involves learning skills specific to cats and dogs in case of illness or injury.

“It can save your pet’s life,” said Parks, adding participants will learn about injury prevention, choking and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), wound care and how to splint fractures.

The home alone with basic first aid course, Feb. 3 and Feb. 4, is for children ages nine to 12 and teaches them skills and knowledge to be safe and responsible while home alone for short periods of time.

“We, as an organization, certainly can’t recommend at what age kids are allowed to be home alone, but at the very least, whenever a parent is ready to do that, if the child has taken the (course) then they would be ready for how to answer the telephone, what to do when a stranger comes to the door and the responsibility of having a house key.”

Parks said they also cover basic first aid and Internet safety.

The babysitter course, for children ages 11-15, is designed to give youth the skills to care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Parks says it focuses on prevention and safety with kids and teaches them basic first aid as well as dealing with emergency situations. It will be held Jan. 21.

St. John’s Ambulance will also hold a marine basic first aid course and an instructor development program in the spring. For more information or to register call 1-800-5655065, email infopei@sja.ca or visit www.sja.ca.