sitters' certified today

By Jaine Treadwell

Fourteen youths are enrolled in the two-day Safe Sitter course being offered at Edge Regional Medical Center.

The youths will complete the second day of training today and will become certified "Safe Sitters" once they pass

competency exams."

"We expect that all 14 will be certified," said Lydia Cox, a certified Safe Sitter instructor at ERMC. "They have been very interested and very attentive. They will make good sitters for young children."

Cox said the course is designed for girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 13.

The Safe Sitter course improves the welfare of young children by increasing the availability of young adolescents instructed in safe and nurturing child care techniques, Cox said.

"We enhance the lives of young adolescents by providing the opportunity to acquire competencies in rescue skills, basic first aid and nurturing, safe child care techniques."

On, Wednesday, the youths received instruction on baby sitting as a business, child care essentials, preventing injuries, injury management, rescue breathing and choking rescue for infants and children.

Today's agenda will include classes on preventing problem behavior, behavior management and first aid.

Prior to testing, the Safe Sitter students will participate in practice sessions on infant choking and rescue breathing.

"We will have a short review session before they take the exam which will be in three parts - oral, written and practical," Cox said.

The students will receive their Safe Sitter certification at a 3 p.m. ceremony at ERMC.

Editor's note: For security purposes, the Safe Sitter program does not allow the publication of the names of those enrolled in the program.