Greeting's Gentlemen,

Please pardon my long absence....it has, let's say, been an "Up & Down" year for me. Some personal issues, and some ever present health issues.
But Alway's looking to Learn! During my absence, I have tried to continously "Upgrade" both my Survival Kit's, and my Car and Home Disaster kit's. But like right now, after just having the entire Meniscus removed from my right knee, It look's like I might be spending a little more time on the PC.
So Gentleme, I sincerely hope you all have been doing Well, and I will ask that you put up with my asking seemingly stupid question's from time to time. My Father alway's said the only Real, "Stupid Question", was the one you were too scared to ask!

So a first question for you.....does anyone know of a person(s), or organization, other than the Red Cross, that can teach FA and CPR, in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area? On a Medically Retired Vet's pension, there's just no way I can afford both class's, for both the wife and I, from the Red Cross!


My Thank's,

Harold "Krell" Rosenbaum

Welcome back, sorry to hear about the knee. And sorry that I can not help you, other than a couple hour layover at the DFW airport in '65 I have never been there. Good luck, and hope you never have to use the knowledge you will gain in your classes (CPR is a lot of work, and not fun at all)...

I'm not suggesting it's a substitute for hands-on, "live" instruction, but there are free on-line courses that might help you, such as: http://cprandfirstaid.net/?p=pages&id=0

Do any of the local schools give adult education classes in the evenings? I had a CPR course as part of a program in high school and I know the teachers then would run the same class in the evenings as part of the adult program. You might have to take the whole auto shop course or something else to get the safety portion in the beginning, but that might be somehting to do during retirement. Since they were put on by the public school system they are free.
Now that I'm thinking of it we didn't have the CPR instruction in any of the auto shop or electronics classes, we all went down to the nursing/health care room and were taught there. So see if the local schools teach nursing or health care assitant classes in the evenings, you will probably get a lot more than just CPR.

Harold,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. It sounds like you are going through it with the right attitude though!

As for the CPR class, have you checked with local church or their scout groups? They sometimes offer CPR classes.

You might also just try walking into the local fire/rescue/emt station and ask for training. I work with the local (Tomball, TX) emt group as a first responder with my company. They are a great group of people and are always trying to get "civilians" to learn more first aid. I don't know if they could give you actual certification, but they could teach you the proper procedures. Some cookies or a couple of pizzas might grease the offer. What have you got to lose by trying?

-Blast, who has often relied on the kindness of strangers with bandages.

Two other thoughts:
1. Volunteer with Texas Equusearch, they might fix you up with a CPR class in return for volunteer work.

2. Contact the ETS member "Blacktop". I think he lives in Mesquite, TX and is part of some Red Cross emergency rapid response communications team. He might have some ideas.

-Blast

You might want to try requesting that the Red Cross waive the fee for one or both of you. It can't hurt to ask.

Alternately, you might check with your closest VA hospital or the VA counselor for your county. As much as I've dreaded visits to the VA, I know they have periodic courses for employees and volunteers that you and your wife may be able to join.

Herold:

I recived my first aid and CPR thru the American Heart Ass. you might try them. At that time I did not have to pay for the classes, but a lot of time has gone by sence I recived my classes.