Thought for the day - Special Edition

I admit, recent Technicolor blog posts  have been fewer than in the past. When I received the message,  "We haven't heard from you. Is everything okay?", I knew I had some explaining to do.

A few months ago I assisted in a cooking class where one of the students became very ill. I completed First Aid training years before and the training kicked into gear. I called 911, requested help, and reported vital information that would help the emergency personnel understand and evaluate the student's condition upon arrival.  Help arrived and the student was rushed to the hospital. I'm happy to report that the student was released from the hospital and is well.

The evening's events replayed in my mind for the next two days. My First Aid and CPR certification  had expired. Did I remember how to use an  Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?  Perhaps this was the time to renew my certification. I searched the internet and found that Montgomery County Maryland offers free CPR training and certification through its Community Emergency Response Training  (CERT) program.  I completed and submitted the online form to participate in the Fall 2014 Class. The website reminded registrants that if a current class was full their application would be kept on file for the next class.



I honestly forgot about the application. I was busy learning about wine, delivering meals, and experimenting with recipes. Then an email appeared in my inbox inviting me to confirm my seat in the Winter 2015 CERT Class. Participating in the class meant attending  weekly classes for two to three hours on Wednesdays; four hour practical classes on Saturdays, reading the manuals, completing homework,  as well as completing and passing the final exam. The class also required completion of online training modules offered by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).

The class began on 7 January with six students and concluded with five students representing a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and motivations for participating the class.  The instructors told us we were the smallest class they've ever had. A week later I began a 20 week cooking class at L'Academie de Cuisine.  What was I thinking?!  The  days were beginning to roll together like a snowball. The blog posts began to slow down.

The class showed up on snowy/ icy wintry days and evenings for lectures, hands on demonstrations, and participated in outdoor practical exercises in frigid temperatures (the instructors were mindful to not have the class outdoors too long - "don't bring a victim to the scene", is rule number one). On 7 February the class participated in a final exam consisting of  two simulated emergency response exercises that tested our knowledge and application of all the topics covered in class including fire suppression, first aid, and triage. We passed the exam!

At a post exam celebration the instructors and CERT Program Manager asked each class member about joining the CERT team. I'm glad I took the time to renew my certification and grateful for the effort the instructors made to share their knowledge with me.

That's my story. The blog posts will resume. There's much to catch up on and explore. I hope you will continue following my journey.


Be well,

Technicolor girl



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