So I spent the better part of this week at the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross Head Quarters becoming a certified First Aid, CPR and AED instructor. It was good as I needed to renew my CPR certification, plus its good to have a refresher on the first aid part (even though I’ve been doing/learning/teaching first aid in one way or another since I was 14). The cool thing wasn’t that I got to play with an AED (it was a training AED) or that I’m certified to conduct classes for work (which was the whole purpose to begin with), it was actually the stuff I learned during the “how to be an instructor part”.

I’ve worked at camps before. I’ve been on training staff for National Leadership Seminars with the Order of the Arrow. I’ve taught merit badge classes, I’ve taught computer classes, I’ve taught classes on camping and classes on teaching classes and it never fails to amaze me that I always pick up something new.

For instance, its common knowledge that in order to be certified in American Red Cross CPR or First aid you HAVE to pass the written test with 80% and the skills test to the satisfaction of the instructor. While it might seem odd that the skills test doesn’t need to be passed to an exact standard, there’s a reason.

It doesn’t matter if the skill isn’t perfect, or pretty as long as the chest compressions are done and the rescue breaths go in. The ARC “teaches to the standards and tests to the objective”. Something that not many other courses do.

Another thing I learned, well, I wouldn’t say learn so much as recognized, was the method of “Push, Pull and Balance” while leading a group. The idea is that the facilitator pushes information out to the group through lecture or another means, then pulls the same information back from the group (or further information) by asking questions. The leader’s goal is to balance the two so that its even.

I’m happy to say that after a day and a half of CPR and first aid training and two and a half days of instructor training, I’m certified. If you want to schedule a CPR/First Aid class for your group don’t hesitate to contact me. I need the practice!

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