Staff of the Princess Juliana International Airport operating company (PJIAE), began a three-day CPR AED Certification Course on Monday, October 29, 2012, which is specially designed for them and conducted by the Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services (WIEMS).
Participants will learn how and when to use CPR and Automated External Defibrillators or AEDs. The newly acquired AEDs are being installed this week at the airport, therefore the staff must be educated on how to use them in the event of an emergency.
The training, which has a theoretical as well as a practical component, is based on the American Heart Association guidelines. It also includes a video presentation titled, "Heart Saver First Aid CPR AED" by the American Heart Association. The instructor is Mr. Merlin Aventurin, Medical Field Commander of the Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services (WIEMS).
"This is part of our ongoing efforts to put safety first in all our operations," said PJIAE Director of Operations, Larry Donker.
The participants, who are drawn from the Quality Assurance, Fire, Security, Business Class Lounge (BCL), Human Resources, and Customer Service departments of the airport, will learn how to apply their training to children and adults. The next two sessions will be held on Wednesday, October 31 and Thursday, November 1, 2012, from 9 am – 12 noon.