GWRRA Rider Education has traditionally encouraged members to obtain and maintain certifications in First Aid and CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). These basic skills are easily learned, but may make the difference between life and death in the critical minutes before professional help can arrive. There are a number of fine providers of this type of training available, including familiar names such as the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.

GWRRA is a recognized corporate provider of the MEDIC FIRST AID international^® program, also commonly referred to as MFA^®. As such, our certified instructor members are able to provide this high quality program to other members at a very affordable cost. In addition to First Aid and CPR, Region D is proud to have recently added an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training option to the available courses.

Whatever your preferred provider, we strongly encourage you to get trained and stay current in your certification. Education and Preparedness - important steps in fulfillment of our motto, "Safety Is For Life."

Note: "MEDIC FIRST AID and the MEDIC FIRST AID logo are registered trademarks of MEDIC FIRST AID International, Inc."

Region D MFA^® Instructor Trainer, Carol Basel, Wheelersburg, Ohio

Carol Basel, shown here on the right, is the Region's MFA^® Instructor Trainer and also the Ohio District Coordinator. Along with her colleagues Maria Holmes, Michigan District MFA Coordinator and John Kuehl, Indiana District MFA Coordinator, they have done an outstanding job launching this very important program throughout Region "D".  Carol has agreed to continue her role as the Region D MFA^® Instructor Trainer. We appreciated her dedication to this great program.

At the request of the District and Region Educators, the Instructor Trainer (IT) certifies new instructors to teach the MFA^® curriculum. The IT serves as the communications link for the instructors for program updates and other correspondences, collects and forwards class rosters, and works closely with the Region Educator in all aspects of the program.

The IT also is responsible for quality control, assuring that the program is being presented as intended by Medic First Aid^®, and that we maintain the highest standards - providing our members with the best training possible. The IT may observe instructors presenting courses as part of this process. Problems and possible solutions are discussed with the Region Educator.

The number of instructors in each District is determined by the needs of the individual District. If you are interested in becoming an MFA^® instructor please contact the Instructor Trainer, who will be able to advise of openings in your District and upcoming instructor training courses.

If you have a concern regarding the quality of instruction you received as a student in an MFA^® course, contact Carol Basel or Region Educator Mike Stiger.

Each Region D District has someone who acts as Coordinator for that District's MFA^® program. This may be the District Educator or may be someone designated by the District Educator/District Director.

The Coordinator handles class scheduling, arranges for instructors to teach classes, orders and distributes materials, and makes necessary plans for the equipment to be in the right place at the right time. The Coordinator works closely with the District Educator.

If you would like to schedule an MFA^® course in your area, please contact the Coordinator for your District.

Course Pricing and MFA^® Equipment
Videotapes, Manikins, and AED Trainer

The presentation of the MFA^® courses requires some or all of the above durable equipment, plus some accompanying student booklets and disposable items. The cost for this equipment is substantial, and it should be noted that due to copyright laws the videotapes may never be copied for any reason. Each class taught must use an original set of videotapes purchased from MFA International^®.

In Region D, the MFA^® program got its start when the Region and its three Districts split four ways the expense of the purchase of a set of videotapes and manikins. A schedule was created which allowed for the sharing of the equipment among the three Districts on a rotating basis. Since then volunteers have given of their time to help move the equipment both within the Districts, and from one District to another. As  you can imagine, one set of equipment used by three Districts gets stretched pretty thin.

The individual Districts are beginning to purchase their own sets of equipment, but how quickly enough money can be raised to do this is at least somewhat dependent on the price charged per class. No MFA^®  course is ever more than $20.00, but Districts may set their own pricing below this amount as they deem appropriate.

Setting lower prices allows better immediate value for our members, but higher prices result in more money being available to put back into growing the program. This also serves our members in the long run. More equipment allows for easier access to courses, and less travel required to shuffle the equipment around. With multiple sets of equipment several courses can be held the same weekend in the same District.

Another problem arises with the introduction of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) into the mainstream population. To perform First Aid or CPR, all one needs is some basic first aid supplies and/or personal protective items such as latex gloves and a CPR mask. Defibrillation, however, requires an AED unit which costs well over $2000 as of this writing. AED training requires separate, special training units - at several hundred dollars each.

An advantage that we have in GWRRA is that we use only volunteer Instructors and Coordinators. No one is ever paid to train our fellow members. Overhead costs are very low compared to outside programs.

We would all agree that you can't place a price on a human life, but all of this equipment costs money. Your support of the MFA^® program not only pays for the costs of providing training on the day of your class, but also helps grow the program and assure that it will be there to serve you again when it comes time to recertify or receive new training.