learn first aid

so I’m counting myself as done with this goal. And only hours to spare before the deadline to my “challenge.”

I used some of my left over stick-on tabs to bookmark the most critical portions of the book, which I can use to guide myself in reviewing the material from time to time, or if I need to look something up in a hurry.

The book also includes a convenient list of things that should be in my first aid kit, so I can use that in the next few weeks as I am updating my first aid kits.

But I did feel like I learned something.

The teacher spent too much time talking about why he teaches the class the way he does, and not enough time talking about first aid. I felt he covered CPR very well, but first aid was mostly just watching a video. All of the people taking the class (except me) were just doing it for the certification, which is required for their jobs, so it probably suited them just fine. I would have liked some hands-on practice, but alas, it was not meant to be.

Before marking off this goal, I plan to read the Red Cross first aid handbook I got from the class and bookmark the parts that I should review periodically and/or might need to reference in a hurry. I might also see if DH is willing to let me practice on him, but I’m going to make that part optional.

I finally got through on the phone to sign up for a class. It turns out that the Red Cross service center closest to me does offer classes, after all, so it’ll be more convenient than expected!

In four days, I’ll be done with this challenge!

I tried to book a class online, but discovered that the online course catalog has not been updated for 2007. So the next day I tried calling their hotline but sat on hold for about 15 minutes before being abruptly disconnected. Tonight’s call wouldn’t even get that far; all I got was “your call cannot be completed at this time, please try again later.”

I don’t even know what hours the hotline is open. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to make it through to them tomorrow.

at actually getting me to finish up my goal, I thought I’d challenge myself on another of my longstanding but doable goals: taking a first aid class. I’m committing to do this by the end of January, or else I will have to write a 1000-word essay on the 5 most common household injuries. I know it’s such a high-schoolish consequence, but I think it’s appropriate and should be effective as a motivator. I plan to sign up online tonight for a class.

to wait until after Thanksgiving to book my first aid class. No use booking it way ahead of time if my schedule isn’t very firm.

I definitely want to take the class by the end of the year, though.

...to the Wilderness First Aid course I wanted. 80 people applied for the 30 available slots!

I did find a community safety and first aid course which covers both first aid and CPR for children and adults. It’s a 9-hour course given by the local chapter of the American Red Cross and it only costs $65 (less than I thought it would be). I’ll probably sign up for one of the Saturday sessions which they hold every two weeks at the center closest to me.

I have applied for a wilderness first aid course sponsored by the local university. If I don’t get in, I’ll sign up for a different (probably more expensive) first aid course. I aim to be signed up by October 15th, and take the class by the end of the year.

Either way, I’m planning on marking this off once I’ve taken a course that includes some basic first aid and CPR. I won’t worry about taking a baby first aid class until I get pregnant.

I’m just thinking about how, when I have kids, I’m going to be completely responible for their well-being. I’m worried that there might be some emergency that I won’t know how to handle and something bad will happen that I could have prevented by knowing first aid. So… now I need to get started by finding a good class to take.