South Coast residents are invited to take part in first-aid and CPR classes during April and May, sponsored by the Oregon Pacific Chapter of the American Red Cross. Pre-registration is required for all courses and at least six participants are required for a class to be held.

€ "Community First Aid and Safety" is a full-day class covering CPR and first aid for adults, children and infants. Participants are asked to dress comfortably. The cost is $40 for the full program and $32 to attend only the CPR portion.

The course will be offered:

m from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15 and 16, at the Reedsport Public Library, 395 Winchester Ave., Reedsport; and

m from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, April 28 and 29, at the South Coast Office in Coos Bay.

€ "Standard First Aid" is a course designed specifically to meet the needs of business and industry and complies with OSHA guidelines. Topics to be covered include shock, controlling bleeding, splinting and adult CPR. The cost is $38 for the complete class and $30 for the CPR course only.

The class will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 17; from 6 to 10 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, April 21-22; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 29 at the South Coast Office in Coos Bay; and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, at the Coquille Fire Hall in Coquille.

€ "Adult CPR" will be taught from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at the South Coast Office in Coos Bay. This is an OSHA-compliant class designed for the needs of industry and business and covers topics including shock, controlling bleeding, splinting and adult CPR. The cost of this course is $30.

Participants can take the class from 6 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23. Both classes will be taught at the South Coast Office in Coos Bay.

€ "CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer," a Level C Professional course, will be taught from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the South Coast Office in Coos Bay. This class covers adult, child, infant and two-person CPR as well as the use of breathing devices and bag valve masks, Emergency Medical Services and preventing disease transmission. The $55 class cost includes the purchase of a Seal-Easy breathing device of the type used by professional caregivers.

€ "Babysitter's Training," is a two-part class that will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 24 and 31 at the South Coast Office in Coos Bay. The course teaches 11- to 15-year-olds the skills needed to care for children ranging from infancy to primary-school age. Topics to be covered include safety issues, illness and injury prevention, basic child care, first aid, decision-making and age-appropriate behavior and play. Participants receive a reference handbook and, upon completing the course, a certificate card. The class cost is $34.

For more information or to register for a Red Cross training course, those interested can call the South Coast Office at 267-9595 or toll-free at (800) 738-8700.