move, adopted the American Red Cross life-saving first aid and CPR programme.

And starting this week it will be taught around the Island to the public.

Residents can learn what to do in emergency situations such as road accidents, accidental poisonings -- 90 percent occur in the home -- sudden illness or choking.

Bermuda Red Cross administrator Mrs. Ann Spencer-Arscott believed that the popular American television show "Rescue 911'' had generated a great deal of interest among local residents in learning how to deal with life-threatening situations.

Director Mr. Frank Gamble said it was the first time a foreign country had adopted an American Red Cross programme.

Representatives of the American Red Cross and the Bermuda Red Cross' sister branch in America, the Salt Lake City, Utah branch, arrived on the Island last week to help set up the courses.

They expressed their excitement at being part of the historical move. And they were also pleased that the Bermuda Red Cross had chosen to adopt their course on first aid and CPR (combining mouth-to-mouth resuscitation with chest compresses).

It was specifically aimed at lay people, American Red Cross national director of Health and Safety, Mr. Robert Burnside said.

Local residents who complete the course will be issued American Red Cross certificates which will be acceptable throughout the United States, he pointed out.

And he said the programme would foster relations between the American and Bermudian Red Cross chapters.

Mr. Burnside was accompanied by Health and Safety manager for the Salt Lake City branch, Ms Jean Wagaman and American Red Cross international services associate Mr. Martin Perret-Gentil.

Mrs. Spencer-Arscott noted the programme would be particularly helpful to non-Bermudian workers.

Mr. Gamble said the courses for the general public were a result of Salt Lake City sending instructors to teach about 24 residents how to be first aid and CPR instructors themselves.

Those 24 people will now teach lay people how to give first aid and CPR. Mr.

Gamble said the Bermuda Red Cross had approached several school PTAs and as a result many teachers and parents had expressed interest in taking the course.

But any member of the public who wants to take the course can call Mrs.

Spencer-Arscott at 295-0795. The courses last about a day.

Mr. Gamble said the Bermuda Red Cross chose to adopt the American Red Cross' first aid and CPR course after learning it was not offered anywhere on the Island for lay people.