The Mission is partnering with Fishing Partnership Support Services to offer two CPR and First Aid Courses for fishermen on Great Cranberry Island on Tuesday, April 15, and on Isle au Haut on Thursday, April 17. Running from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., these classes are specifically for commercial fishermen and provide an Adult First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
Fishing Partnership covers how to provide the skills used to assess and treat injured or ill crew members while at sea. During the day, attendees will learn basic life-saving skills including providing CPR and assessing and treating injuries as well as skills helpful for an emergency at sea. This includes treating marine bites stings, reducing hypothermia, how to identify medical and cardiac emergencies, and prep a person for transport. Sunbeam Nurse Simone Babineaux shares “I wanted to bring this training to island fisherman because fishing is among the deadliest professions in the country. This training could save lives, as accidents can happen quickly to anyone.”
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Fishing Partnership trains fishermen to be first responders. They explain, “this enhanced CPR and First Aid class is specifically designed for fishermen knowing you often don’t have the convenience of emergency personnel arriving in a few minutes to care for an injured crewman, and that you are administering care in challenging and austere conditions.”
These classes are free, and each group of fishermen or boat will receive a free duffle bag of first aid equipment for their vessel. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. The class on Great Cranberry is open to fishermen on Islesford and Great Cranberry and then will be opened to others if space allows. The class on Isle au Haut is open to fishermen on Isle au Haut and Stonington. In addition to becoming Adult First Aid/CPR/AED certified, the course also meets Coast Guard requirements for certification.
Registration for these classes is required. To register contact Julia Messersmith at [email protected] or call (774) 840-9418.
To learn more about the Island Health program visit our website.