DALLAS - (NewMediaWire) - April 16, 2014 - For parents and child care providers, the stats about accidental injuries of children up to age 19 are daunting. More than 12,000 children die from accidental injuries each year, and more than 9.2 million are treated in the ER for nonfatal injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control. To provide first aid and CPR skills, along with peace of mind, the American Heart Association is launching its new online course, Heartsaver® Pediatric First Aid CPR AED Part One.

The AHA’s Heartsaver^® Pediatric First Aid CPR/AED online course is designed to meet the training needs of child care providers in almost all 50 states, but it’s also a robust resource for parents, grandparents, teachers, babysitters or anyone responsible for the care and safety of children. The web-based, self-directed program uses real-life scenarios and interactive lessons to teach day-care workers and others to manage infants’ or children’s illnesses and injuries until emergency medical services arrives. Child-care providers and others will learn critical first aid skills, ranging from how to create a safe environment to prevent injuries in the first place, to life-saving CPR.

“Reacting quickly and effectively in an emergency is vital because unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death of U.S. children,” said Jeff A. Woodin, Lieutenant Firefighter/National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic (NREMT-P). “This unique hybrid course with online and hands-on skill components educates child care providers and parents about the four steps of first aid and a variety of first aid skills,” said Woodin, who is Immediate Past Chair of the AHA First Aid Subcommittee and a member of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) First Aid Task Force.

The training course is an all-in-one solution to learn four key steps in giving first aid: prevention, being safe, calling 9-1-1 and taking action. Additionally the course includes adult CPR/AED, child mask, infant mask and asthma care training. The course meets the regulatory requirements for child care workers, but its contents are also invaluable skills for parents to learn so they are empowered to care for their children in the event of an emergency.

To learn more about the American Heart Association’s CPR & First Aid programs, call 1-877-AHA4CPR or visit heart.org/cpr.

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About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

Media Contact:

Katie Brooks

Katie.Brooks@heart.org