Mahaska County YMCA Offers Red Cross Training to Community

The Red Cross

Oskaloosa, October 5, 2012 – The Mahaska County YMCA is now able to offer American Red Cross trainings for the Mahaska community. Ryan Harkema, Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Director, completed his American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor certification last spring. Harkema will be teaching CPR, First Aid, AED and Bloodborne Pathogens courses, in addition to lifeguard classes, on a regular basis.

The first class of First Aid, CPR, and AED open to the community is scheduled for November 17 from 9:00 am until approximately 4:00 p.m. The class will be held at the YMCA and it is open to the community. The cost for the 7 hour course is $60 per person. A recertification course will be scheduled soon as well.

According to Harkema, many of the Y staff and volunteers need the Red Cross trainings. Child care providers and community members have frequently called the Y seeking CPR and First Aid training over the past couple of years. At the same time, Red Cross has decreased the number of trainings and other services offered locally.

United Way of Mahaska County provided the Y with a special grant to assist with purchasing the needed supplies for the courses. The Y plans to offer First Aid, CPR, and AED quarterly as one class. Bloodborne Pathogens will be offered quarterly also. Lifeguard certification courses will be offered twice annually at the Y, with continuing collaborations with the Edmundson Pool staff.

To register for a training offered by the Y, stop by at 414 North Third Street in Oskaloosa or call the Y at 641.673.8411. On-line registration will be available in November 2012. Information about the YMCA can also be found at www.MahaskaYMCA.org.