WDIV and the American Red Cross are teaming up to help community members prepare for emergencies for our July Go 4 It event: First Aid Basics.
The in-person training session aims to equip participants with essential skills for handling various emergencies, from minor injuries to life-threatening situations.
“We want people to feel both prepared and empowered and ready to respond when those common first aid needs come up,” says Emmeline Weinert from the American Red Cross.
While the hands-on training provides in-person instruction, participants can begin their preparation immediately by downloading the FREE Red Cross First Aid app. The mobile application serves as both an emergency reference tool and an educational resource.
Practical app features support emergency response
The Red Cross app includes an interactive decision-making feature that guides users through emergency situations. “If you have an active situation and need a reminder about what to do, the app will give you a decision tree,” Weinert explains. “It’ll walk you through whether you’re trained or untrained, if it’s a child or an infant (or an adult), and it’ll guide you through the appropriate steps.”
Users can call 911 directly through the app when necessary, making it a valuable tool during critical moments. Beyond emergency situations, the app offers opportunities for ongoing education through refresher modules and knowledge-testing quizzes.
Hands-on training builds confidence
While the app provides valuable support, Weinert emphasizes that in-person training remains crucial for developing true confidence in emergency response. “You’re not going to feel prepared or confident if you’re not familiar with some of the things that can come up and some of the basic interventions that you are very capable of doing,” she says.
The July 15 training event will provide hands-on experience under professional guidance.
The Red Cross recommends a two-pronged approach: downloading the app for immediate access to emergency information while also planning to attend a hands-on class. “More information is always better than less,” Weinert notes.
Event sign-up
The First Aid Basics event will be held Tuesday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at U-M Dearborn’s Fairlane Center South location -- 19000 Hubbard Drive in Dearborn.
You can sign up for a time slot by clicking the link below -- there will be nine 50-minute sessions starting at the top of each hour. Walk-ins are also welcome. Grab a friend and come learn how to handle summer emergencies with confidence!