Health and Safety Services Fact Sheet

Background

The American Red Cross is the recognized premier provider of first aid, CPR, aquatics, water safety, HIV/AIDS prevention education, mission-related caregiving and other health and safety education programs. In 1999, nearly 12 million people were enrolled in health and safety courses learning how to keep themselves and their families safer. Programs are developed in collaboration with experts from the fields of medicine and aquatics and reflect the latest information and techniques. All courses are designed to teach the exact skills people need to respond to an emergency. The American Red Cross has provided health and safety services to people for more than 90 years as part of the organization's mission of emergency prevention and preparedness.

First Aid and CPR Programs

Since 1909, the American Red Cross has trained tens of millions of people in first aid and CPR, translating the consensus of medical science into practical, easy-to-understand information for the American public. Today, Red Cross chapters offer a variety of first aid programs for different age groups and both general and professional audiences, including Workplace Training, Adult CPR/AED Training, Community First Aid and Safety, Community CPR, First Aid for Children Today (F.A.C.T.), Basic Aid Training (B.A.T.), Sport Safety Training, First Aid Responding to Emergencies and Emergency Response. All programs emphasize the importance of prevention and reflect the most recent changes in cardiac care. The goal of Red Cross courses is to teach people not only how to respond to injuries, but also how to prevent them.

Aquatics

The American Red Cross has been a leader in aquatic education since 1914. Aquatic programs are offered for all ages and skill levels with a focus on Learn to Swim and aquatic safety training. Courses include Longfellow's WHALE Tales (for children), GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow, Learn to Swim (levels I to VII), Community Water Safety, Lifeguard Training, Basic Water Rescue and Small Craft Safety.

HIV/AIDS Prevention Education

The Red Cross, working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, educates people on how to stop transmission of HIV, encourages people to respond in informed ways to people who have HIV and helps people apply the facts about HIV to their own behavior. These goals are accomplished through the Basic HIV/AIDS program, the African American and Hispanic HIV/AIDS programs, the Workplace HIV/AIDS program and HIV/AIDS programs targeted at today's youth.

Other Health and Safety Programs

In keeping with current national health care needs, the American Red Cross also offers health promotion and injury prevention programs such as Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby; Child Care; Babysitter's Training; Foundations for Caregiving (for nurse assistants or home health caregivers); Slips, Trips, and Falls; and Workplace Violence Awareness.

Certificate of Merit

Since 1911, the American Red Cross has issued the prestigious Certificate of Merit to an individual or team of individuals who save or sustain the life of another person(s) as a direct result of Red Cross training in the areas of first aid and CPR, aquatics, or water safety. Certificates of Merit are signed by the President of the United States, the Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross.

Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder

In June of 2000, the Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder was established to recognize those individuals who utilize Red Cross training to save or sustain a life but who also have a "duty to respond." Those individuals are defined as on-duty lifeguards, professional health care workers, police, fire and EMS personnel responding to a 911 call. The Chairman and the President of the American Red Cross sign the Lifesaving Award for the Professional Responder.