Various organisations and individuals provide training in first aid, CPR/AED and Emergency First Response in the Cayman Islands. Here we list a complete guide.
First Aid, CPR and AED courses abound in the Cayman Islands, just be aware that the names of the courses vary according to the accrediting body and syllabus, however, for the the most part the course content is very similar and aims to arm participants with the knowledge and skills to be able to respond to a medical emergency.
The main difference to note is that CPR/AED courses focus on dealing with life-threatening conditions – typically a non-breathing patient – and therefore covers clearing airways, rescue breathing, choking, cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
First Aid and Emergency First Responder courses go a little further and also train participants in basic first aid: dealing with responsive patients and providing emergency treatment for non-life threatening conditions such as fractures, bleeding, stings, shock and more.
For the lay person, there is little difference between the courses by the various accrediting bodies, but for some professions, particularly healthcare professionals and teachers, a specific certification is required, such as the American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support for Health Care Professionals, which is a little more advanced than a CPR course.
Certifications are valid for two years after which one must do a refresher. The lower age limit varies, but participants must be able to demonstrate CPR and choking prevention skills. Check with each provider as some will teach kids as young as 9, others prefer them to be at least 15.
CPR Respiratory Cayman/Melissa Shaw is a certified
instructor for both the American Heart Association and the American
Safety & Health Institute. She offers the following courses: ASHI
Advanced Cardiac Life Support, ASHI Basic Life Support, ASHI Pediatric
Advanced Life Support, ASHI Basic and Advanced First Aid, ASHI
Child/Babysitting Safety and Pediatrics. For more information or to
schedule one of these CPR courses please email: melissashawky@gmail.com or call (345) 926 0219.
Thrive Fit Cayman offers pediatric and adult CPR/AED/First Aid training. The courses are affordable and accessible to everybody. Certifications are throughthe American Safety & Health Institute (2 year cert) and Thrive Fit comes to you. Contact: info@thrivefitcayman.com or call (345) 938 1113.
The Cayman Islands Red Cross offers the American Red Cross (ARC) syllabus and certification in the following courses: Infant/Child/Adult First Aid, CPR and AED; Lifeguarding and Basic Water Rescue. All certifications are valid for two years. Contact the First Aid Training Manager on Tel: (345) 925 0715, email: firstaid@redcross.org.ky or visit www.redcross.org.ky for further information about training opportunities, course prices and dates.
Fitness Connection teaches American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI) CPR/AED courses. For more information, call (345) 949 8485 or email: fitness@fitness.ky.
Mike Nelson of CF School offers the full Emergency First Responder (EFR) certification course either at CF School, schools, offices, churches or at home. The certification is valid for two years. The course covers practical and theoretical adult, child and infant CPR, AED and First Aid including administering EPI pens. Lifeguarding and Water Safety courses are also offered. These are WASH (World Academy of Safety and Health) certified. For more information Tel: (345) 936 8687 or email: caymansea@gmail.com.
LifeLine is a non-profit organisation focused primarily on creating and maintaining a national AED (Automated External Defibrillator) database that, with Government's support, will permit 911 operators to identify the closest AED in the case of a cardiac emergency and also automatically contact first responders linked to a particular AED. For further information on how you can contribute to LifeLine’s work in improving the cardiac arrest survival rates in our community, please visit their website www.lifeline.ky.
Many dive operators also offer the EFR course as this is a PADI training requirement for more advanced dive certifications.