FAMILY YMCA News:

Red Cross Babysitters Course

The Family YMCA is taking registration for the Nov. 16 and 17 session of its American Red Cross Babysitters Course.

The course is designed by the American Red Cross to prepare youth with training in babysitter safety, basic child care, safe play, first aid and critical emergency skills, essential professional, leadership and care-giving skills, and how to manage real-life problems.

The session takes place 4-8:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 1-5:30 p.m. Nov. 17.

Participants must be aged 11 through 17 and complete both days of the session in which they register in order to receive certification. The cost of $110 is set by Red Cross.

CPR / AED Course

The Family YMCA also is taking registration for its Nov. 3 and Dec. 1 First Aid, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification courses. 

The courses, taught by American Red Cross certified instructors, are generally scheduled for the first Saturday of each month throughout the year.

First Aid training includes the basics of wound care, bleeding control, and bandaging and provides information about poisoning, sudden illness, and how to care for other injuries.

CPR training includes how to respond to emergency situations, recognize the signs of a heart attack, and provide care for an adult who stops breathing, is choking, or whose heart stops beating.

AED training is a proven life-saving tool when deployed correctly and early on after the onset of cardiac arrest.

Participants who complete the courses will receive American Red Cross certification.

Classes are held 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and are open to the public. Cost is $80 for Y members and $110 for program members. The certificates are good for two years. 

For more information, go to The Family YMCA Website, www.laymca.org, or call 662-3100. Financial assistance is available thanks to United Way of Northern New Mexico, “Strong Kids” Annual Campaign and other contributors.