Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency enables quick action, reducing or avoiding dire outcomes.
Whether it is disaster preparedness, or medical emergencies, there are several organisations that offer classes and training programmes to help people gain skills necessary to prepare for and respond to disasters or emergencies.
HAZARD MANAGEMENT
Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) offers a broad range of training presentations for the public, covering all hazards from which the Cayman Islands is at risk. These presentations are adaptable to businesses, government agencies and schools from primary through to university.
- All hazards and preparedness presentation
- Earthquake and tsunami presentation
- Hurricane preparedness
HMCI also offers training for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) which assist in preparing and protecting communities in the case of disaster events. Volunteers are ushered through a 12-hour course that teaches them skills in fire safety, damage assessment, first aid and basic search and rescue. It also offers business continuity planning overviews of principles and benefits as well as guidance for continuity of operations plans, which every government department and agency is required to file and help ensure quick restoration of operations following a hazardous event.
HEALTH SERVICES AUTHORITY
The Health Services Authority offers several clinical and continuing medical education training for staff and healthcare clinicians in Cayman such as advanced cardiac life support and paediatric advanced life support.
It also offers health-related training for the public:
- Basic life support
- Heartsaver AED (CPR)
- First aid
- Parent Craft training
- Neonatal classes
- Smoking cessation
- Nutrition counselling
- Diabetic counselling
- Genetic counselling
RED CROSS
The Cayman Islands Red Cross is heavily involved in education and awareness to create a better-prepared community and build community resilience.
Its main training programmes are:
- First aid, CPR and AED training
- Lifeguard training
- Basic water rescue
- Darkness to light – Stewards of Children
- Additional training is available on request, and there is also regular training for disaster preparedness. Email director@redcross. org.ky for more information.
ST. MATTHEW’S UNIVERSITY AND CAYMAN HEART FUND
St. Matthew’s University is a medical school focused on providing quality and affordable medical courses.
Since 2011, the doctors of St. Matthew’s University Medical School have volunteered their time and expertise teaching life-saving CPR/AED skills to the Cayman Islands community. Every year they donate a proportion of the proceeds of training to Cayman Heart Fund to support its work in raising awareness and addressing cardiac issues in the Cayman Islands.
St. Matthew’s University offers the American Heart Association accredited BLS/ CPR for medical and nonmedical people, covering CPR and AED skills, with or without first aid. Courses offer a two year certification and take place at St. Matthew’s Medical School in the Clinical Skills Lab.
Email Dr. Sukumar T. K. at [email protected] or Cayman Heart Fund at [email protected] for more information.
FITNESS CONNECTION
Fitness Connection offers a variety of certifications and specialty courses throughout the year.
These include:
- The American Safety and Health Institute
- CPR and AED course;
- The Starfish Aquatic Institute Safety Training Aquatic Rescue Course;
- The Starguard Lifeguard Certification.
The minimum recommended age for any of these courses is 14. Email [email protected] for more information.
CAYSAFETY
CAYSAFETY offers a broad range of health and safety training and consultation services that can be tailored to meet individual and organisational needs.
The company offers First Aid and CPR courses, fire safety training, blood and respiratory-borne pathogen training, and disaster preparedness training. It also provides safety auditing, safety compliance and ergonomic assessments. Email [email protected] for more information.
CLEVER FISH
Clever Fish offers evening classes in first aid which certify participants for two years. Its courses include theory and practical elements including AED, EpiPens and practise on adult and child mannequins. Email [email protected] for more information.
CPR AND RESPIRATORY CAYMAN
Melissa Shaw runs CPR and Respiratory Cayman which offers CPR/AED training. She spent 18 years as a respiratory therapist and on the cardiac team at the HSA. Email melissashawky@ gmail.com for information on her training options.
