Inclusive First Aid for People with Disabilities and World First Aid Day!

Did you know World First Aid Day was September 13?

In light of this, I recently learned that the Red Cross in the United Kingdom has a first aid program for people with disabilities. It's called "inclusive first aid." You can read more on their website at http://www.redcross.org.uk/TLC.asp?id=84878

Taken from the site at http://www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=85169

"Inclusive first aid is a unique programme designed to work with groups or individuals who may require a more flexible approach to learning first aid skills.

For example, someone with a mobility impairment may not be able to use their hands to deliver chest compressions to a casualty who is not breathing. Our trainers will consider the basic requirement of this skill – to apply pressure in the middle of the casualty’s chest – and work with a person’s ability to teach a suitable alternative, such as delivering compressions with an elbow or the heel of the foot."

After reading this, I was quite intrigued and wondered if a similar program existed with the United States Red Cross. So, I went to the United States' Red Cross website at http://www.redcross.org and searched for "disabilities" and/or "inclusive", but could not locate a similar program. I was quite disappointed.

If anyone is aware of such a program in the states (or in other countries as well), please contact me or post a comment here on the blog. I would love to see a Red Cross program like this get started here.