PITTSBURGH – Emergencies can strike at any time, which is why the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter urges all area residents to learn CPR and AED skills.

What better time to get trained than right now? In December 2007, Congress passed a bill designating the first week of June “National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week.”  The inaugural CPR/AED Awareness Week is June 1-7, 2008 and the Red Cross is proud to participate.

The Red Cross has a goal of training 250,000 people across the country with CPR and AED skills during National CPR/AED Awareness Week.  The local Red Cross is doing its part by offering an Adult CPR/AED class at its downtown Pittsburgh location (225 Blvd. of the Allies) on Tuesday, June 3 from to 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Cost of the class is $40 per person.

Additionally, the local Red Cross offers CPR/AED classes regularly at its offices in Pittsburgh, Uniontown and Washington, and Red Cross instructors teach CPR/AED classes at countless other locations throughout the year.  The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, alone, annually certifies more than 45,000 in CPR and other lifesaving skills.

Getting trained in CPR is one of the four key steps in the Red Cross “Promise to Prepare” campaign.  By pledging to take a Red Cross class, you can help make the entire southwestern Pennsylvania region a safer place.

For a detailed schedule of upcoming CPR/AED classes or to make your promise, visit the local Red Cross at swpa.redcross.org or call 1-888-917-9599.

Chelsea Dallatore learned quickly that there’s more to being a lifeguard than working on a suntan.

The 16-year-old Trinity High School sophomore- who completed lifeguard training with the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter in April - works as a lifeguard at Washington Park Pool.  On Memorial Day of this year, just her second day on the job, Dallatore saved a 5-year-old boy from drowning.

“The pool was really crowded. We had about 220 kids in the pool that day,” recalled Dallatore. “I was sitting in my chair, watching the pool, when all of a sudden I saw someone floating face-down in the water."

Immediately, Dallatore’s lifesaving instincts kicked into action and she investigated the situation further.

“I got down off the chair and I got into the pool. I walked over to him and flipped him over the appropriate way because I didn’t know if he had a neck injury” she said, describing the rescue techniques she learned from the Red Cross.

Once she turned the boy over, she could immediately tell he was not playing.

“He was unconscious,” she said. “He had a pulse, but he wasn’t breathing. I could tell he had water in his lungs.”

Following lifeguarding protocol,  Dallatore pulled the boy to the nearest poolside. Dallatore, with some help from another lifeguard, removed the drowning boy from the water and began performing chest compressions.

“After three rounds or so, he started coughing up water,” she said.

The boy was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. Thanks to the keen eye of Dallatore and the lifesaving skills she learned from the Red Cross, he survived.

“I actually didn’t get nervous,” she said. “Something kicked in inside of my head. I didn’t let anything get to me. Everything I learned, all the Red Cross training, just came out.”

Dallatore participated in the local Red Cross Aquatic School held at Washington and Jefferson College in April.  The four-day session was grueling, but Dallatore says she understands why the training is so intense.

“It was difficult, but it was the appropriate training for a job that could save someone’s life,” she said. “I can definitely see why they put you through that.”

Dallatore will be honored by Washington City Council on June 5 and by the local Red Cross at the chapter’s annual meeting on June 26.

For more information on American Red Cross lifeguard training, click here.

PITTSBURGH -- National Hurricane Preparedness Week will take place May 25-31, just in time for the start of hurricane season.  It is also the perfect opportunity for local residents to join the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter and prepare for hurricanes and other severe storms.

Though you may not live on a beach, Hurricanes Ivan and Frances are proof that severe weather does not discriminate - the flooding that resulted from these 2004 hurricanes affected much of our southwestern Pennsylvania community.

“The importance of National Hurricane Preparedness Week for the southwestern Pennsylvania area is greater than people may realize,” said Michael Adametz, Director of Emergency Services of the local Red Cross.  “Hurricanes can have devastating effects on this area as the region can be impacted by the remnants of tropical systems in the form of heavy rains and flooding.  It is important for residents to be aware of this and to prepare accordingly.”

The local Red Cross recommends that the following actions be taken in order to prepare for hurricane season:

Have A Plan - Know what types of hazards could possibly affect your family during a storm.  Determine a safe room in your house for each type of hazard (heavy rains/flooding, storm surges or severe wind).  Also, establish an escape route from your house and places to meet your family during emergencies.  If you have pets, develop a pet disaster plan.

Create a Disaster Supply Kit - It should include:
- At least one gallon of water per person per day to last three to seven days
- Three to seven days worth of non-perishable food
- Blankets
- First aid kit, medicines and prescription drugs
- Special items for infants and elderly household members
- Toiletries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Important documents in waterproof containers
- Cash and credit cards

Secure Your Home - Reduce potential damage in areas that the wind can enter by strengthening the exterior of your house.  Protect and reinforce these five critical areas: Roof, straps, shutters, doors and garage doors.  Flood insurance can reduce possible disaster repair costs.

Get Trained - Training can provide you with the skills and confidence necessary to help during a hurricane or any disaster situation.  The local Red Cross offers a variety of courses in CPR, First Aid and disaster preparedness.

The local Red Cross encourages area residents to make a “Promise to Prepare” for any disaster by taking these and other preparedness steps.  For more information on disaster preparedness or training, or to make your promise, call the local chapter at 888-217-9599 or visit swpa.redcross.org.

WASHINGTON, Pa. – Babysitting is a great way to earn extra money, and through its Babysitter’s Training program, the American Red Cross makes sure babysitters are prepared to handle any emergency that might occur.

The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will hold a Babysitter’s Training class at its Washington, Pa. office – located at 524 East Maiden St. – on Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The program aims to prepare babysitters by teaching them how to recognize and respond to first aid emergencies that may occur while watching children of all ages.  The class also teaches participants how to choose safe and appropriate toys, prepare simple meals and handle those dreaded bedtime meltdowns.  Additionally, the class offers pointers on how to land great babysitting jobs.

The class is open to individuals ages 11-and-older.  The cost is $45 per person, and all individuals who take the class receive a Babysitter’s Handbook to keep for future reference.

Pre-registration is required and walk-ins will not be accepted.  Participants should bring a lunch and come prepared to learn and have fun.  For more information or to register, visit swpa.redcross.org or call 724-222-4750.

PITTSBURGH -- Looking for a cool summer job? Why not give lifeguarding a try? The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter will hold its Aquatic School May15-18 and May 22-25 at Chatham University.

Swimmers who successfully complete the Aquatic School will be certified to apply for professional lifeguard jobs.  Also, lifeguards who are currently certified can take a review course during the training to extend their certification.

Classes will be held at Chatham’s Sigo Falk Natatorium, located in the University’s Athletic and Fitness Center on Woodland Road in Pittsburgh. To gain certification, students must attend at all four classes in one of the two following sessions:

Session A

• Thursday, May 15, 6-10 p.m.

• Friday, May 16, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

• Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Sunday, May 18, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Session B

• Thursday, May 22, 6-10 p.m.

• Friday, May 23, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

• Saturday, May 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Sunday, May 25, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cost of the training is $200 for new lifeguards.  For the lifeguarding review program, cost is $175 and attendance is required only at the May 16-18 or May 23-25 sessions.  All proceeds benefit the local disaster relief efforts of the Red Cross.

To qualify for entry, you must be at least 15 years of age and be able to swim 300 yards continuously using the following strokes:  front crawl (100 yards); breaststroke (100 yards); and 100 yards of either the front crawl or breaststroke or a combination of the two.  Additionally, you must be able to surface dive 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object and return to starting position within 1 minute and 40 seconds.  Registration is required; walk-ins will not be accepted.

Classes include training in water first aid, CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and additional lifesaving techniques.  In addition to lifeguard training, CPR/AED for the professional rescuer certification and lifeguard training instructor classes will be offered during the Aquatic School.

To register or for more information, visit swpa.redcross.org or call 412-263-3193. Registration deadline is noon on the Wednesday prior to each session. For directions to Chatham University please visit chatham.edu/camusmap. Convenient parking is located in the East Parking Lots, accessible next to Laughlin Residence Hall.