Health & Safety Services

Background
The American Red Cross is the recognized premier provider of first aid, CPR, aquatics, water safety, HIV/AIDS education, mission-related caregiving, and other health and safety education programs. In fiscal year 1998, nearly 13 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 up-to-date information and techniques. All courses are designed to teach the skills that people need to know in an emergency. The American Red Cross has provided health and safety services to people for more than 85 years as part of the organization's mission of emergency prevention and preparedness.

Health & Safety Services Programs offered by the Red Cross include:
First Aid Programs
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Programs
Aquatic Programs
Other Health and Safety Programs
Certificate of Merit

First Aid Programs: The American Red Cross has provided training in first aid continually since 1909. At the turn of the century, the program focused on training civilians to give first aid during disasters, conflicts, and epidemics. Today, Red Cross chapters offer a variety of first aid programs for different age groups and both general and professional audiences, including our Workplace Training Program, Automated External Defibrillation (AED), Standard First Aid, Community First Aid and Safety, Preventing Disease Transmission, and Sport Safety Training.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Programs: Each year, the Red Cross trains more than two million people in adult, infant and child, and professional rescuer CPR. New Red Cross CPR courses reflect the most recent changes in emergency cardiac care.

Aquatic Programs: The American Red Cross has been a leader in aquatic education since 1914. Aquatic programs are offered for all ages, skill levels, and physical abilities and include courses and skills that meet job-related needs. Courses include Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instructor, GuardStart: Lifeguarding Tomorrow, Learn to Swim, and Longfellow's WHALE Tales.

Other Health and Safety Programs: In keeping with current national health care needs, the American Red Cross offers a variety of other health and safety programs such as Babysitter's Training, Nurse Assistant Training and HIV/AIDS education programs targeted to meet the needs of various audiences.

Certificate of Merit: The Certificate of Merit is the highest award issued by the American Red Cross 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, 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. Some of our Noteworthy Neighbors are Certificate of Merit Winners.

For more information, e-mail: info@usa.redcross.org