A few basics and a little know-how

A group of around 30 Weiser area youth took advantage of a first-aid class offered at Weiser’s Public Library on Friday, Jan. 24.

 Hosted and led by a pair of Weiser women, Sarah Doremus and Amy Cook gave the students a chance to put together their own basic first-aid kits.

 A retired firefighter and paramedic from western Oregon, Cook told the Signal American she is working on attaining her Idaho paramedic’s license.

 “As a paramedic, I’ve taught a lot of first aid and CPR classes,” Cook said.

 Doremus said she is a site manager for Reading Escapades and Math Explorers, a national student tutoring company. Doremus tutors students both virtually and in-person.

 Cook engaged the first-aid students, asking what they might include in a first aid kit, as well as questions about treating a bleeding wound. Explaining that bleeding itself pushes dirt out of a wound, a clean, damp cloth and direct pressure applied to the wound will slow bleeding.

 “If you get blood on your hands, wash them with warm, soapy water, or use hand sanitizer,” Cook said. “But, don’t put hand sanitizer on a wound (ouch).”

 “One of the things I recommend in this first aid kit is some contact information, your parents’ phone number, somebody that you might call if you are injured,” she said. “This is the very basic stuff for a first aid kit. I have this in every one of my kits, and I have these everywhere, in my car, my backpack, my closet, I give them to my kids.” 

 Helping the students build their own kits, Cook showed them bandaids, single-use hand sanitizer packets, a pair of disposable nitrile gloves, and a triangle bandage.

 Cook said a triangle bandage is her favorite first-aid tool, and, although they can be purchased, she makes hers from the corners of old sheets.

 “This triangle bandage can do just about anything you need to do in first aid, except CPR,” Cook said, demonstrating on Doremus its use as a temporary sling, and then as a wrap-around bandage for wound covering that can be tied into place.

 “I used mine one time when I forgot to bring my dog’s leash and we were getting out to go for a walk,” Cook said. “We were where there was traffic, and I couldn’t just let my dog run around, so, out of my first aid kit, it turned into a leash.”

 Cook summed up the first-aid kits this way, “It’s not necessarily saving a life, but it might save the day,” she told the youngsters.

Upcoming Events

Valentine’s Day

 On Feb. 8 the Library is hosting a Valentine Craft and Food Market from 10-2. Local craft and food vendors will have holiday items for you to purchase.

Fit and Fall Proof

 A Fit and Fall proof class at the Library in the meeting room is held Wednesday and Friday from 7-8 a.m.