American Red Cross Training Services

A lifeguarding certification isn’t just about summer employment, it’s a gateway to a multitude of possibilities. Join us on Lifeguard Appreciation Day on Wednesday, July 31st at 2:00 p.m. ET as two talented Red Cross certified lifeguards share how their lifeguard experiences propelled their careers into new directions.

Calling all Lifeguarding and CPRO Instructors! Don’t forget to complete the r.24 online update by August 31 to be able to teach the latest courses. Take advantage of the latest content, resources and tools of the new program. Remember, only r.24 courses may be taught beginning September 1.

“I have great and very supportive team members in the Education Sub-Council [of the Scientific Advisory Council], and the projects we were able to contribute to have been very impactful and affected millions of Americans.” Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) member, Dr. Gamze Ozogul who recently celebrated her 5th anniversary with the Education Sub-Council as a volunteer. The Sub-Council researches and updates the science behind Red Cross programs. Additionally, she is a professor in Instructional Systems Technology Program at Indiana University, and department chair of Learning, Design and Adult Education Department. As a member of the Education Sub-Council, Dr. Ozogul uses her expertise in instructional design and instructional strategies in continuously changing technologies to lead and contribute to scientific reviews on topics such as pre-learning before attending life-saving skills training, and what makes people willing to attend a training and act in an emergency. Currently the Sub-Council is conducting original research and investigating how artificial intelligence-based feedback may contribute to learning and performance of CPR, innovate training delivery, and expand access to CPR training After experiencing a rip current in her second year with the SAC, volunteering and contributing to the Council has become even more meaningful to Dr. Ozogul. She was swimming in open water and got caught in a rip current, initially swimming against the rip current and getting further from the beach. At that point, struggling and panicking, she thought of the job aid on rip currents that the SAC developed, and to which she had reviewed. Remembering the exact diagrams and the message, she began swimming parallel to the beach and rescued herself from a dangerous situation. She credits the power of well-designed, memorable thus effective instructional material to her ability to rescue herself from the rip current. “The Scientific Advisory Council is a dream team because we do a full cycle of instructional design and we do it on a very big scale, across many courses and delivery modalities,” says Dr. Ozogul. Dr. Ozogul, we are so proud to have you as a member of our Scientific Advisory Council. Thank you for your outstanding work with us!

Last month, we joined hands with our friends at Chi Eta Phi for an inspiring CPR educational session. We are proud to announce that more than 50 Chi Eta Phi Members are now ready to teach hands-only CPR. A huge shout-out to Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Incorporated for preparing for the moments that matter and for serving as lifesaving advocates in your community. #SavingLivesStartsHere #TrainForTheMomentsThatMatter

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Centennial Campaign Provider ✨ Milwaukee Recreation. ✨ Their incredible journey in Wisconsin began a century ago, but their impact on our communities really took off in 2020. Teaming up with Red Cross media, they promoted $5 swim classes in underserved areas, reaching out to elementary schools and sending postcards along with an exciting video clip. The response was overwhelming - what used to be just 20 patrons across four locations became a thriving community, with over 400 enrolled and all four sites filled to capacity. The $5 dollar swim was only the beginning. In 2023, MKE Rec transitioned the funding towards the existing program “Everyone Plays!”, their Milwaukee Rec Scholarship Program. Instead of designating funds by locations, they pivoted to offering individual scholarships where the student could use their funds for any location. “The true beauty is you can go anywhere you want, and you don’t know what the kid next to you paid for the class, and no demographic data is given to the instructor. It paints a truer picture of what equity needs to look like in our greater community,” says Manager of Citywide Programs, Nicole Jacobson. Nicole’s future plans for her program include expanding opportunities for pediatric CPR as well as working towards the greater goal of keeping families in swim lessons. “We still don’t see the progression of children through the levels of the Learn-To-Swim program we would like to, and we need to resolve this issue. Swim lessons are not a onetime bucket list item. As children age and develop, they have different needs.” For communities considering becoming part of the Centennial Campaign, Nicole has two words: “Do it.” #CentennialSpotlight #CentennialSwim

Ever wondered about the fascinating history of CPR? ❓ Trace its journey through time, as we highlight the milestones that have evolved this life-saving technique to its current state. 📖 👇 Discover the full story here: https://rdcrss.org/3zlmaa9

Do you know what to do in the critical moments that matter? Let's test your knowledge! 📚

Meet Red Cross Instructor Katie Moe! She has been a certified lifeguard since 1997 and a Lifeguarding Instructor for over 20 years. She is also a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer and Lifeguard Instructor Trainer (LGI). Katie has certified hundreds of students in CPR, Lifeguarding and Water Safety, making many communities safer. Her favorite part of her work as an Instructor is the ability to make an impact on the lives of the students that take the classes. “It’s about really engaging with your students and making it feel like a welcoming and exciting environment in the classroom. Many of the participants are college students who are beginning the next chapter of their lives and being able to instill a life skill is truly humbling,” Katie explains. She is a firm believer that learning to perform high-quality CPR, how to swim and how to be safe in and around the water are life skills. Katie is the Assistant Director of Campus Recreation at Northern Michigan University, and many of her student employees have performed first aid care while working in the Campus Rec Center. Others have gone on to become LGI's and continue to work within the aquatics and safety industry. Most recently, two of her students have used their lifesaving skills in the moments that mattered. One student was skiing over the holiday break in Wisconsin when another skier suddenly fell forward and smashed her face. The student provided care and monitored her until the ski patrol came. Another student had been working as a waitress when a guest began choking and became unresponsive. That student leapt into action and subsequently saved their life. A fun fact about Katie is that when she’s not teaching Red Cross programs, you may find her outside spending time enjoying the beautiful Upper Peninsula with her husband Eric, daughters Erin & Ruby and their four poodles, Stella, Scout, Gus and Opal. Thank you for your dedication, Katie! ❤️

Be prepared to protect, prevent and respond by stocking up on lifesaving training equipment this swim season. Get free shipping on all lifeguarding equipment using coupon code: ‘LGSHIP0724.’ Shop now: https://rdcrss.org/3W9r3MP *Offer valid until 7/31.

The American Red Cross was proud to attend HOSA’s 2024 International Leadership Conference and support its mission to empower future health professionals to become leaders in the global health community, through education, collaboration, and experience. We had a great time serving as judges for the CPR competition, where HOSA students competed in CPR training techniques for the chance to win a scholarship. It is encouraging to see so many students committed to learning lifesaving skills. Congrats to all!