Onslow County Health Department to offer American Red Cross babysitter training for 11–16-year-olds

The Onslow County Health Department said it will offer American Red Cross–aligned babysitter training for young people aged 11 to 16 that combines pediatric first aid, CPR and practical caregiving skills.

Dominique Vanpelt, a representative of the Onslow County Health Department, said the course is intended to prepare teens for real emergencies: "You never know what can happen," Vanpelt said, describing the program as a way to give youth the practical skills and confidence to respond if a child becomes ill or suffers cardiac arrest.

The one-day classes run 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and include hands-on practice in compressions and rescue breaths. Participants receive a pediatric first-aid and CPR certificate plus a separate babysitter-training certificate; the course fee of $95 covers the certificate and training supplies, including a personal barrier device for rescue breaths.

Vanpelt said the next scheduled session listed on the department's site is May 28 and that additional dates will be offered throughout the year. Families can register through the health department website under the American Red Cross training tab; questions may be sent to the team email provided on the department page (as read on air) or by calling the health department main line at 910-347-2154.

The department encourages trainees to wear comfortable clothing for demonstrations and to bring a lunch for the full-day session.