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Volunteers can train in first aid at Langley Seniors Games

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Volunteers can train in first aid

In a perfect world, everyone would have first aid training.

That’s according to Rick Barnett, whose Valley First Aid has stepped up to offer free first aid certification to people who sign up as medical volunteers for the BC Seniors Games this year.

“I believe business owners in the community have a responsibility to give back where they live, work, and play,” said Barnett, who is also volunteering at the Games.

“First aid training is something you hope you never have to use, but it can make the difference between life and death to someone else,” Barnett said.

Valley First Aid is offering WorkSafeBC’s Occupational First Aid Level 1 to people who sign up as volunteers in the medical directorate for the 2014 BC Seniors Games, which run from Sept. 9-13 in Langley.

To get the free training, those taking part have to volunteer for 16 hours of time at the Games over five days.

The full-day course will be held at Valley First Aid’s Langley location, and volunteers can choose from two Saturday options: Aug. 16 or 30. The certification is for three years.

“We have a passion for what we do – we have a passion for first aid,” said Barnett.

This is the first time the company is actually certifying others in the community as volunteers, though Barnett and his students have participated in a number of other local events, including the recent Canada Day festivities and the Special Olympics BC Summer Games in 2013.

For Barnett, the contribution is somewhat personal and dates back to an incident that changed his family forever. His six-year-old cousin died after a trampoline accident in her own backyard. She had rolled onto a stick and there was no one with first aid knowledge to assist.

“Everyone needs to have the skill set to preserve and protect the lives of those they love before an accident or injury occurs,” he said. “You can’t go back in time.”

In order to take up Valley First Aid’s offer, contact Corry Anderson-Fennell, volunteer management chair for medical, at corry.anderson-fennell@kpu.ca or call 604-599-2840. You will be asked your preferred course date and the preferred dates, times and venue locations for your 16 hours of volunteering, and then given a link to sign up.

Meanwhile, if you already have first aid certification, the Games remains in need of medical volunteers. Sign up at https://www.bcgames.net/lng2014se.

To sign up as a volunteer in another capacity or learn more about the games, visit www.2014bcseniorsgames.org.