On Saturday, May 20, 2006, the Western AD/UPM/TC Council’s 2nd AD Committee hosted an Adult & Child CPR and First Aid training class in the DGA Boardroom in Los Angeles.

“Assistant directors are not only leaders in film production management but also the stewards of safety,” said 2nd AD Committee Co-Chair Vince Duque. “Having the skills to deal with injuries, cardiac emergencies and rescue breathing situations could be vital.”

Taught by three American Red Cross instructors, the class included a DVD presentation and each student had hands-on participation with demonstration models.

“There may be unforeseen situations on the set when a medic is not readily available,” said the seminar’s organizer, Committee member Topher Wolfe. “Members were taught how to recognize and care for injuries or sudden illnesses until advanced medical help could take over. It also instructed us in the use of an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.”

Upon completing the course, each participant received an Adult CPR/Child Certificate, valid for one year, and a First Aid Certificate, valid for three years. In addition to the valuable training, “the attendees came away with the confidence to deal with emergency situations on the set,” said Committee co-chair Melody Beam. “That’s what we’re after, to raise the leadership standards that a DGA assistant director offers to a production.”

Committee Co-chair Melody Beam, and Committee members Topher Wolfe, Cara McCastlain, T. Coe, Angelo Sotereanos, Michael Mullen and Annette Hobday also participated in the class.