Red Cross needs more instructors

3-day training begins in January

By BEN BOTKIN
The Register-Mail

GALESBURG - You can do more than give blood to help the American Red Cross. The Western Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross is searching for volunteers to teach a variety of classes in the future, said Jeff Pacheco, director of health and safety.

The courses include a variety of topics such as CPR, first aid, water safety and disease prevention. And then there are courses in sports safety, baby-sitting and family care-giving, all examples that the Red Cross extends beyond the realm of CPR and first aid, Pacheco said.

Although the chapter has about 100 volunteer instructors, there is always a need for help, Pacheco said. Sometimes, instructors move away or allow their certification to expire.

Because they are volunteers, the instructors often have other full-time jobs and limited availability.

"It's hard to find a volunteer to come in and devote anywhere from four to eight hours in a day," Pacheco said.

Though no courses have been canceled, finding instructors remains difficult, he said.

"We are at times really struggling to find somebody to teach a class," Pacheco said.

Candidates interested in becoming instructors first must apply with the Red Cross and tell about their experience background. If accepted, they go through a three-day program with classroom training and critiques.

Then, the training isn't done. The candidates must teach courses with a qualified instructor until the instructor believes they have a solid grasp of the subject.

If candidates want to teach a subject in which they lack experience, they can sit in on some classes to find out more.

The students learn skills that are often needed after the class is finished, said Scott Sunderland, a volunteer instructor.

Several years ago, a Knox College student performed abdominal thrusts on someone choking on food - just weeks after learning the skill in a Red Cross course.

Sunderland, also the head certified athletic trainer at Knox College, said the courses are a good way for the athletic department's staff to learn sports safety and first aid.

The next three-day class for instructors is Jan. 25, 27 and 30. To find out more about becoming an instructor, call the American Red Cross at 344-1611.

Upcoming Red Cross Classes

• Community First Aid and Safety class, which includes instruction for first aid and performing CPR on adults, children and infants. The two-session course is 5:30-10 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15. The course is also offered in a one-day session Dec. 10. Cost is $45.
• A course in review of CPR for adults, children and infants is 6:30-10 p.m. Dec. 29. Cost is $30.