By Carli Johnson SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Regardless of where you live, what activities you do, or what your job is, medical emergencies can happen anywhere. First Aid and CPR certification courses offer people the opportunity to learn skills that, if needed, can save lives.
In a team meeting on June 17, Outlaw Partners, the publisher of Explore Big Sky, hosted a First Aid/CPR training course for its employees. In the training, all participants received a certificate designating them with the knowledge and skills to act quickly and confidently in the event of a cardiac emergency.
The course, hosted by Inter Mountain Medical Educators Inc., was a two-hour interactive learning experience led by instructor and company owner, Katie Boyce. Her teaching style combined humor with heartfelt purpose, making the material accessible and engaging.
“Being properly prepared is essential for an emergency,” Boyce said in an interview with EBS, noting the importance of staying up to date on medical response skills. “It’s beneficial for everybody, not just people who work and play in the outdoors, but for an emergency that can come out of nowhere.”
Boyce originally came to Big Sky for the skiing. With a background as an EMT on an ambulance, she eventually found herself as the on-hill medical director for Big Sky Resort Ski Patrol. It was there that she began training fellow patrollers and discovered her passion for teaching.
In addition to First Aid and CPR training, Inter Mountain Medical also offers EMT courses that certify individuals as an Emergency Medical Technician. The accelerated five-week course combines online and in-person training.
Whether pursuing full EMT certification or refreshing basic lifesaving skills, the goal remains to be prepared. Whether it’s on the trail, in the workplace, or at home, these trainings empower individuals to act quickly and calmly when faced with an emergency.
The main takeaways from the June 17 training: always call 911 in an emergency and stay calm. The skills learned in the course are most beneficial for the time between the start of a crisis and the arrival of medical professionals.
For more information on classes and cost, visit their website.
