For over 50 years, the Canadian Red Cross has been a leader in first aid and CPR programs around the country. Offering practical, hands-on experience and the chance to gain life-saving skills, the Red Cross' innovative programs can help you make a difference in someone else's life when they need it most.
First Aid and CPR abilities are more significant now than ever before - unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of one and 44.
September 8 marked the international celebration of World First Aid Day, and in honor of the occasion, the Red Cross joined alongside Movement Partners like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to drive awareness about the importance of first aid training to prevent major incidents from taking place.
How prepared are you for an emergency? A recent poll by the Canadian Red Cross revealed that while approximately 68 per cent of Canadians believe they could recognize the basic signs of a life-threatening incident like choking or loss of consciousness, less than half believe they have the first aid skills necessary to save someone in the event of an emergency.
Even more startling, of the nearly 80 per cent of Canadians who believe that first aid and CPR are vitally important, only 18 per cent are currently certified to provide services to a vulnerable person in need.
"Every Canadian should not only have first aid skills, but feel confident using them in emergencies," said Don Marentette, national manager of first aid programs with the Canadian Red Cross. "Those first moments in a medical emergency are vital, and knowing how to properly provide first aid can be the difference between life and death."
In those pivotal seconds where you may be called upon to react to an emergency, knowledge of how to perform rescue procedures will only go so far. Without confidence in your skills, you may pose a greater risk during an emergency than you would otherwise.
Confidence in delivering first aid and CPR techniques doesn't just happen overnight - rather, it's the consequence of hard work and consistent training. While taking a course can give you the basic tools needed to react in a perilous incident, by diligently following up with recertification, you can ensure that you remain poised and ready in case of emergency.
To learn more about first aid and CPR programs offered in your area by the Red Cross, visit the website or your local office.