By Hank Huber

Buffalo State students took advantage of the free CPR and First Aid training program offered by the American Red Cross Feb 8, filling all 45 slots.

Buffalo State College Auxiliary Services and Residence Life sponsored the eight hour program. It’s designed to teach beginners the basics of lifesaving CPR and emergency first aid.

This was the first time students were invited to participate. Only college staff could take advantage of previous programs. According to Joanne Santiago, a secretary with the Residence Life Office, the response of those interested was unusually high.

“We have a waiting list- mostly students, but I had one of the professors from the math department in here today asking about it,” she said.

Residence Life is trying to arrange future programs for those who express interest in learning these lifesaving skills. At last count, the waiting list held around 30 names.

The professional Red Cross instructors focused on adult and child CPR training in the program, and also covered basic first aid procedures such as:

• bandaging
• soft splinting
• controlling bleeding
• locating pressure points
• administering aid for choking victims
• rescue breathing

First aid certification is good for three years. CPR training must be updated every year. According to Peggy Holmes, health and safety coordinator at the Greater Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross, an updated certificate can help shield you from lawsuits if something goes wrong while administering aid.

For more information, call the Residence Life office at 878-3000, or visit http://greaterbuffalo.redcross.org and click on health and safety training.