CPR Professional Review Course $25—Spring Special

Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at 9:00am-1:00pm
Same-day certificate issued
Must pre-register/pay 322-4017
205 Main Street, Community Hall Council Bluffs IA
A current manual and pocket mask are required and not provided and can be purchased separately
Must bring current certificate, AHA accepted within the first year

American Red Cross, Loess Hills Chapter is offering a Lifeguard Instructor Course at Kirn Jr. High Pool 100 North Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA 51501.  The dates of the class are:  May 10^th 11:00 – 6:00 pm; May 17^th 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and May 18^th 8:00 until finished.  Price-$175   

Skills and Pre-certification (this will be done on the first day) needed:

1. Must be able to challenge out on all Lifeguarding skills that a student lifeguard would do, includes all of the swimming, diving brick and all of the strokes
2. Must be able to challenge out on all of the CPR Skills for Adult, Infant & Child, AED and BVM
3. Must be able to challenge out on all of the First Aid Skills
4. Must take all written exams and pass 

Any technical questions please email the H&S Department at:  jgrace-colvin@loesshills.redcross.org or by phone at
712-322-4017.

Must belong to a Red Cross Authorized Provider Pool or have been hired by a Red Cross Authorized Provider Pool, Please provide pool name when registering.  Due to the short turn around time, all registrations must be made over the phone or in person or by fax with credit card number.

With summer around the corner, the Loess Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross offers an opportunity for Southwest Iowans to become certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors and learn how to teach children and adults to swim.  Each year the American Red Cross teaches more than 2 million children and adults to swim. Red Cross Water Safety Instructors are in demand throughout the country and certification is recognized nationwide, so you can work wherever you go.

The Water Safety Instructor Course is May 4, 11, & 18 from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm at Lewis Central Pool in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Practice teaching is assigned for the week of May 12 – 22^nd at Lewis Central Pool in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  The cost of the coarse is $135.

 There are many benefits to becoming an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor.  According to Loess Hills Chapter health and safety director, Jan Grace-Colvin, “Becoming a Water Safety Instructor can develop leadership and teaching skills that will help someone in any career and will enable a person to make a difference in our communities by teaching skills that may save a life.”                                                                

Individuals interested in the course must be at least 16 years old, proficient swimmers and attend all sessions.  Pre-course testing will include: performing front crawl, back crawl, side stroke, breaststroke and elementary backstroke for 25 yards each and butterfly 15 yards at a level 4 or better skill level; and floating in deep water for one minute and treading water for one minute.  For technical questions, please contact Bruce Schomburg at 712-366-8273. 

The American Red Cross is the leader in water safety with over 90 years of instruction and training.  Our water safety experts are the leaders in their field and available to assist you with content and technical support for your articles. In addition, we have a variety of Red Cross instructors and volunteers who can give very personable stories of how swim lessons and water safety has a made a difference in a family’s life.

 For more information or to register, please contact Jan Grace-Colvin or Chris Petry at 712-322-4017.

The concrete has been poured, the roof has been raised and the Loess Hills Chapter's future home is taking shape.  The new 15,000 sq. ft. facility, located at 16th Street and Avenue G in Council Bluffs is set to open in October.  According to executive director, Rob Waterhouse, "In spite of the cold weather this winter, construction is on schedule.  We appreciate the support that we have had from Southwest Iowans for the new chapter building."  The chapter will be among four other nonprofit agencies at the site of the Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus.

The Loess Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross is offering free CPR/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training at the Mall of the Bluffs on Saturday, March 15, 2008.  The location at the mall is near the food court.  CPR Saturday is an annual event coordinated by the chapter to offer training in this lifesaving skill to as many local citizens as possible.  Multiple instructors will be on hand to provide adult CPR/AED training of up to a hundred people from 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Pre-registration is required.  The course is open to anyone 11 years or older.  “We want to encourage families to take part in this event together,” said Jan Grace-Colvin, director of health and safety.  The training on CPR Saturday is free of charge.  A processing fee of $20 will be charged to anyone wishing to receive the official Red Cross certification card.  Please contact the chapter at 322-4017 to register for CPR Saturday or to receive information about other health and safety trainings.  You may also register by emailing at jgrace-colvin@loesshills.redcross.org.

According to Grace-Colvin, learning CPR/AED can quite possibly mean the difference between life and death for someone suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) or other medical emergency.  The Loess Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross advises that being able to administer first aid and CPR/AED during the first few minutes of a medical emergency is crucial to the survival and recovery of a victim.  Individuals who were defibrillated with and AED within 5 minutes of going into cardiac arrest had a 67% survival rate.  On March 15^th at CPR Saturday, the Loess Hills Chapter will have AEDs on site, with demos and ordering information for businesses, families, churches, professional rescuers and pools.  “Please stop by to see for yourself what a lifesaving benefit this is,” said Grace-Colvin. 

If you are looking for something fun and rewarding to do this summer, consider becoming a American Red Cross trained and certified lifeguard.  The Loess Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross will offer Lifeguard Training February 28 – March 2^nd at the Iowa School for the Deaf.  According to Jan Grace-Colvin, health and safety director “There is currently a national shortage of qualified lifeguards, so the communities in our service area need more Red Cross trained individuals guarding lives at local water parks, pools and lakes.” 

There are prerequisites that will be tested on the first night of the course.  Prerequisites include:  the ability to swim 300 yards (100 crawl, 100 breast stroke, 100 combination of the two); students must start in the water, swim 20 yards, do surface dives, retrieve 10 lb block, swim back 20 yards and get out of pool without using steps.  “Students must be strong swimmers before taking the course and upon completion they will learn the skills and have the power to save lives,” said Grace-Colvin.

The Red Cross instructor training system emphasizes how to teach as well as what to teach.  The Red Cross Lifeguarding program is the only one that uses a time-tested, video-driven, instructor-led methodology.  The Red Cross Lifeguarding program philosophy is more time plus more practice equals more learning.  Red Cross training is longer and more thorough for both lifeguard instructors and lifeguards.  According to Grace-Colvin, “A longer course allows lifeguards more time to practice lifesaving skills and learn critical drowning prevention and drowning recognition concepts.”

The agenda for the four-day course is as follows:

Thursday, February 28 at 7:00 – 9:00 pm covers prerequisites and handouts
Friday, February 29 at 5:00 – 9:00 pm covers CPR, releases, escapes and approaches
Saturday, March 1 at 8:00 am – 5:00 pm covers Lifeguarding Instructions
Sunday, March 2, at 8:00 am - until finished covers Review and final exam

Cost of the courses are $105, please contact the chapter at 322-4017 to register.

The American Red Cross continues to assist the five Southern states affected by tornados and on Tuesday the Loess Hills Chapter sent Mary Van Camp of Harlan, Iowa to Tennessee to assist in the area of staff services.  She is expected to be deployed for two to three weeks.  She has worked at numerous national disasters in the past.

The American Red Cross has opened a total of eight shelters in Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee since the tornados hit on Tuesday, and is moving additional supplies and disaster workers into the five state-affected area.  The vast majority of the disaster response is being handled at the local level with support from the Red Cross’s national network of resources and supplies.  In addition to providing food and a safe place to stay, trained Red Cross mental health volunteers are available to lend emotional support to those affected.

The Red Cross urges people looking for information on loved ones involved in the disaster to go to the Red Cross Safe and Well Web site. On this site, people can leave a status message, letting them know their general location and well-being.  Anyone with family and friends in the affected areas can visit this site as a way to get updates on their loved one’s location.  The site can be accessed via www.redcross.org.  In the last 24 hours, 395 people have registered on the site.

• People needing information on how to get help can call the American Red Cross at 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

For questions about how you can support the American Red Cross call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or go online to www.redcross.org.

Learning basic first aid and CPR/Automated External Defibrillator (AED) can quite possibly mean the difference between life and death for someone suffering from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) or other medical emergency.  The Loess Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross advises that being able to administer first aid and CPR/AED during the first few minutes of a medical emergency is crucial to the survival and recovery of a victim. Having these skills allows you to become a vital first responder when help is needed. 

“The Red Cross wants the public to know that everyone has the power to save a life. At least one person in every household and on every office floor should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED,” says Rob Waterhouse, executive director of the Loess Hills Chapter. “On average, it takes emergency personnel 12 minutes to arrive on scene. For someone who is choking or has stopped breathing that may be too late. By learning simple rescue skills, you can go from a helpless bystander to a person with the ability to take control help someone during an emergency.” 

First aid and CPR/AED are commonly taught to everyday people who may be the only ones able to respond during the crucial first few minutes of an accident or medical emergency. Nearly everyone is capable of learning and becoming certified in first aid and CPR/AED. 

Becoming trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED gives the average person the knowledge and skills essential to lessen the effect of injury or sudden illness and helps sustain life until professional responders arrive.

Each year, roughly one million people in the United States suffer from SCA – almost half will die as a result. Being able to perform CPR or use an AED early on is crucial in preventing brain damage and will greatly increase a victim’s odds for survival. 

First aid and CPR/AED can not only be used when SCA strikes, but can also help save victims of drowning, electrocution, accidental poisoning, suffocation and drug overdose. 

The most effective way to learn first aid and CPR/AED is to participate in hands-on training courses taught by a certified Red Cross instructor.  While quick-overview videos and courses help you to become familiar with safety training; attending certification courses under the supervision of a qualified instructor is the best way to obtain the skills and confidence needed to successfully perform first aid and CPR/AED.  And, in order to remain confident and keep skills current, it is recommended that you attend refresher courses and be re-certified yearly.   

The Red Cross offers thorough and flexible training programs, which help you prepare for emergencies and life-threatening situations.  Courses are available for administering help to infants, children and adults, as well as, for fulfilling training requirements for workplaces, and for professional rescuers.   

To find out how you can have the power to save a life, contact the Loess Hills Chapter at 712-322-4017 or visit www.loesshills.redcross.org for more information on the variety of health and safety courses being offered.

The Loess Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross is presenting an opportunity to honor our local heroes by planning the “HEROES AMONG US” Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 2, 2007 at the Mid-America Center from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m.  Tickets for the luncheon are $20 per person.  The chapter is currently accepting nominations. 

The HEROES AMONG US Luncheon will honor persons from Southwest Iowa who have performed an act of heroism during the past year and who have been deemed heroes by the lives they lead or the examples they set.  The chair of the event is Linda Rhatigan.  According to executive director, Rob Waterhouse, “It is a privilege for our chapter to showcase unsung heroes in Southwest Iowa and our nomination committee is looking for candidates to honor.”

Nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee chaired by Red Cross board member and the Community Service Director of the Council Bluffs Community School District, Diane Ostrowski.  The nomination committee is looking for local heroes.  Honorees are selected based on the degree to which their acts of heroism leave a lasting and positive impact on the residents of Southwest Iowa.  Honorees will have performed an act of heroism involving an unusual, significant or unexpected incident requiring a heroic reaction in a crisis, or a lifetime commitment exemplifying the values of true heroism and the American Red Cross.

 The chapter will continue to accept nominations for honorees until February 29, 2008.  For nomination information or to make reservations the event, please contact Stacy Moravec at (712) 322-4017.  Members of the Heroes Event Planning Committee are: Sandy Howard, Donna Leach, Karna Loewenstein, Joan Martens, Barb Murphy, Diane Ostrowski, Linda Rhatigan and Cheryll Ross.

The Loess Hills Chapter’s new Executive Director may be new to the position, but he is not new to the area nor to the Red Cross.  The chapter’s board of directors and search committee are excited to announce that Robert Waterhouse has accepted the position as Executive Director of the Loess Hills Chapter.  A fifteen-year veteran of the American Red Cross, Waterhouse brings experience in a variety of capacities.  Most recently, he worked out of the national staff office in Birmingham, Alabama, helping chapters in the Southeast better market their lifesaving classes and products.  From 2002 until 2006 Waterhouse was the Director of Health and Safety Services at the Heartland Chapter in Omaha, Nebraska.  In addition, he has worked on a variety of disasters starting with the Midwest Floods of 1993 and most recently with Hurricane Katrina.  He also brings to the chapter experience in fundraising and grant acquisition for the Red Cross. 

“I am delighted to be back in Iowa again.  My wife Cathleen is originally from Council Bluffs and this is a terrific opportunity for our family” Waterhouse said.  “The Loess Hills Chapter has made a tremendous impact on people of Southwest Iowa and I am looking forward to working with the staff and volunteers to make a positive difference in the future.” 

Waterhouse officially starts on January 14, 2008.  He replaces the previous director, Deborah O’Donnell, who left the chapter in September to become Deputy Director for Waterhouse’s old chapter in Omaha.  According to board president John Marshall, “Our previous director worked hard to build a great team at the Loess Hills Chapter.  The selection committee sought someone who would compliment our team and take our chapter to the next level.  With our new building and expanded services we are confident that Robert's background with our national organization and his fifteen years of Red Cross experience will give him great perspective."

In addition to new leadership, the chapter has many exciting events on the horizon in 2008 as the chapter celebrates its 90^th anniversary of service in Southwest Iowa.  Furthermore, in October 2008 the chapter will move into a new 15,000 sq. ft facility located at 16^th Street and Avenue G in Council Bluffs, Iowa. 

Two Red Cross volunteer workers spent the early morning hours assisting twelve individuals displaced by today’s fire at an apartment house in Shenandoah, Iowa.  The Red Cross was called to the scene of the fire at approximately 3:30 a.m.  The Red Cross is providing food, clothing, and shelter to the tenants displaced by the damage.  According to Loess Hills Chapter emergency services director, Michell Bose, the Red Cross frequently responds to house and apartment fires during the winter months.  The Red Cross recommends the following to prevent home fires:

• Keep all potential fuel sources (decorations, evergreen trees, wreaths) at least three feet from heat sources (candles, heat vents, fireplaces, portable heaters and radiators).
• Turn holiday lights off and extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
• After entertaining guests, walk around your home ensuring that candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished.
• Keep anything that can catch on fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove top.
• Ensure that smoke alarms are installed outside of each sleeping area and on each level of your home.
• Use the test button on your smoke alarms to test them once a month and replace batteries once a year.
• Create or review your fire escape plan. Identify two escape routes from every room on your home and choose a convenient meeting place a safe distance from your home. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with all family members.

On Tuesday afternoon, Emergency Managment in Page County asked the American Red Cross, Loess Hills Chapter to open and operate a shelter for residents impacted by power outages in the area.  The shelter is located at the Clarinda Academy in the school's gymnasium.  The address for the Clarinda Academy is located at 1820 North 16th Street in Clarinda, Iowa.  It is unknown at this time how long the shetler will remain open. 

• The American Red Cross offers the following tips in case of a power outage:
• Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
• Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods.
• Use generators correctly – If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors. Never operate it inside, including the basement, garage, carport or near any open windows. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.

“Winter storms can be ‘deceptive killers’ since the majority of winter-related deaths are caused by events related to the heavy snowfall, high winds, and freezing rain that often accompanies them,” said Michell Bose, emergency services director, “People can become trapped at home without utilities or other services. Motorists can become stranded in their vehicles. Walking and driving can become hazardous. But people can stay safer if they listen to the advice of local authorities and take action to get prepared ahead of time.”

The Red Cross recommends everyone prepare for severe weather conditions in the following ways:  

Get a Disaster Supplies Kit For Your Home:

·         Three-day supply of water (one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and hygiene).

·         Three-day supply of non perishable, high-energy food and a manual can opener.

·         First aid kit and essential medications.

·         Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio.

·         Flashlight and extra batteries.

·         Extra warm clothing, including boots, mittens, and a hat.

·         Copies of important documents (birth certificate, title/deed to home, insurance policies, etc) in a water-proof container.

Get a Disaster Supplies Kit For Your Vehicle: (all of the above plus)

• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• Jumper cables.
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).
• Compass and road maps.
• Shovel.
• Tire repair kit and pump.
• Flares.
• Extra clothing to keep dry.
• Sack of sand or cat litter (for tire traction).
• Tow rope.

Make a Winter Storm Plan:

• Be prepared to shelter at home in case of severe weather.  Have additional food and water stored to last seven to fourteen days.
• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Ensure that each member of your household has a warm coat, gloves or mittens, a hat, and water-resistant boots.
• Assemble a disaster supplies kit for your home and vehicle.
• Have your vehicle winterized before the weather gets severe.
• Decide how you would communicate with your family members should you be separated and unable to travel when a winter storm hits.

Be Informed:

·         Learn how you would receive information from local officials should hazardous winter weather affect your neighborhood.

• Know the difference between a winter storm WATCH (a winter storm is possible in your area) and a winter storm WARNING (a winter storm is headed for your area).
• Consider getting first aid and CPR training in case you need to respond in an emergency before professionals arrive on the scene.

If the Power Goes Out:

• Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.
• Use items in the refrigerator first, then freezer, then non-perishable foods.
• Use generators correctly – If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, always plan to keep the generator outdoors. Never operate it inside, including the basement, garage, carport or near any open windows. Connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
  Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.

Hazardous Winter Travel: The American Red Cross strongly urges everyone to monitor weather reports and follow the directions of local authorities. If travel is absolutely necessary during potentially dangerous winter weather, inform someone of your travel route, destination and expected arrival time. Store a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle and remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid ice building up in the gas tank and fuel lines.

In Case of Snow or Black Ice:

• Stay with your vehicle. Do not try to walk to safety as you risk developing hypothermia and/or frostbite.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
• Start the vehicle and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the vehicle.
• As you sit, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to help you stay warm.
• Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.
• Leave the overhead light on inside the vehicle when the engine is running so you can be seen.
• After the snow has stopped falling, raise the hood to indicate you need help.

 In Case of a Flood:

• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades . . . they are there for your safety.
• If your vehicle stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

During the winter months as families gather and the weather turns cold, the American Red Cross sees a spike in number responses to fires.  Why?  Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries with 2 out of 3 cooking fires starting on the range or stove.  The second leading cause of fires is heating fires, with fixed and portable space heaters being involved in 74 percent of fire-related deaths.  In 2006, a home fire was reported every 80 seconds across the country.  How can you protect your family?

Fire Safety Tips:

• Smoke alarms save lives.  Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas and inside and outside each bedroom if you sleep with your doors closed.  Test your smoke detectors each month and replace batteries at least once a year.
• Plan your escape route.  Have at least two ways out of each room in your home.  Determine a location outside of your home for a meeting place and once outside your home, never go back in.    Practice your escape plan twice a year.
• Portable heaters, candles and food on the stove should never be left unattended.  Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.  If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface.  When buying a space heater, look for models that shut off automatically if the heater falls over.
• During the holidays, purchase flame retardant metallic or artificial trees.  If you have a real tree, make sure that is has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily broken.  Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water.  Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition.  Always unplug holiday lights and decorations before leaving or going to bed.