fromdannyo@gmail.com

CPR-C/AED First Aid Re-certification

Windermere, BC

I am a working lifeguard at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Last year I completed my two bronze certification programs under Dara's personal instruction and she was remarkably effective in inspiring learning. This year I needed to re-cert my first aid and my employer chose Dara to conduct the program. Again I was totally impressed with her knowledge, her professional manner, and her high standards. I will use Dara whenever the need and/or opportunity arises in the future.

Jodi L

Red Cross Swim Lessons (Summer 2010)

Invermere, BC

I just wanted to thank you for two wonderful sets of lessons this summer! Both of the kids grew as swimmers by leaps and bounds! Reece ended up going off the diving board multiple times and feeling very proud of herself. The facilities and staff at Fairmont were amazing - super friendly and accommodating! We especially loved Anna and Caleigh who pushed the kids to grow and get better in a fun and safe way. We will definitely be coming back!!!

Jayme

Bronze Medallion & Cross Course; Standard First Aid with CPR C/AED

Invermere, BC

I began my journey by taking my Bronze Medallion & Cross course with Anna Smith and Dara Allen- Instructors of Dara's Dolphins, after completion I moved on and took my Standard First Aid course with Dara as well. I never believed that only a couple of weeks later I would be using all of my training to save mine and my boyfriend's lives.

Please see write-up below:
By Dave Lazzarino - Invermere Valley Echo
Published: August 10, 2010 1:00 PM
It all happened on July 31. Jayme Saunders, and her boyfriend, David Weismiller, both 16, were riding a dirt bike near Findlay Creek. Little did they know, they were about to begin a long battle for their lives.
"I remember screaming, 'Oh God, David, no,'" recalled Jayme. The two went head first into the creek, Jayme flying over David into the glacial water below. David managed to get himself in between the bike hurtling down and Jayme, possibly saving her life.
But the heroism didn't end there. For Jayme, it had just begun. She had taken a first aid course for lifeguarding only a few weeks prior and for the next two and a half hours, she used every first aid trick in her book to keep herself and David alive until help came.
Shortly after coming to terms with being in the creek, she said she had to first deal with the pain of a broken femur and a rapidly swelling leg. She ripped her jeans to relieve the building pressure as David was coughing up blood nearby.
"I knew I needed to stabilize my leg," she said. "There was a stick in the creek just out of arm's reach. I grabbed that and broke it in half and took my belt out of my jeans and tied it as tight as I could to keep the swelling down."
She then helped David get out of his wet clothing as he was becoming hypothermic. She gave him her sweater and used his wet hoodie and belt to tie a splint around her leg.
For the next few hours, she managed to sit herself in the creek to keep the swelling down and continually speak to David, who had begun to lose his sight and hearing as a result of a pinched carotid artery he experienced during the initial crash. There was a worry that he would lose consciousness and she would have to perform CPR. But in her injured position, this would not have been possible.
"I can remember thinking to myself, 'If I had to I could move myself to where he was to do CPR,'" she said but admitted that she was just as concerned with how long they had been in the creek.
David's mother and stepdad were camping nearby and expected them back at a certain time, but as time went by, Jayme realized that they would need to get the attention of anyone passing on the road above them if they were to find their way out.
As David began to lose the ability to even speak and began nodding off, Jayme reassured him, kept him awake for fear he would not wake up, and the two began throwing items of clothing and helmets up to the road to attract attention.
In a lucky turn of events, a couple from Alberta were driving past in search of a campground and saw a white shirt that Jayme was swinging around while screaming for help. The woman, named Alice, got them some warm clothes and a sleeping bag and stayed with the two while her boyfriend, Chris, drove the 45 minutes to the nearest area where he could get a cellular signal and call for help. All the while, Jayme directed Alice in how to help the them.
"She couldn't believe how courageous (Jayme) was," said Jayme's mom, Julie.
"At this point in time it was kind of my responsibility to keep David alive and she didn't know what had happened and I wasn't about to explain everything that had happened," explained Jayme, admitting that it wasn't until David's step-dad, Shane Booty arrived, that she realized they would be all right and let emotion get the best of her. She added: "The paramedics and staff here were phenomenal."
When the ambulance finally arrived, both Jayme and David were taken out of the river and brought to Invermere & District Hospital.
Once they reached the highway, the paramedics called Jayme's parents, Julie and Dano Saunders.
"It's the call every parent dreads," said Dano, who had just come home from work when he heard the news. "The ambulance service phoned us and said, 'We've got your daughter and she's been in a motorcycle accident.' We just about fell on the floor."
A week later, Julie admitted that she was very emotional.
"The paramedic said to me that she was just mind-boggled by what she had done," Julie said with a sombre pride. "It was the worst week of my life."
She added that she plans on taking a first aid course in the near future.
David had suffered a broken scapula (shoulder blade), three broken ribs and a punctured lung, which had collapsed, as well as a small stroke when the artery was pinched. He was airlifted to Calgary and Jayme waited until late that night before eventually going to Cranbrook for treatment.
After surgery to fix her bone with a titanium rod, a week later, Jayme returned home with crutches. She admits that she has nightmares from the event and, despite her seemingly lucid reaction during the ordeal, said it was frightening.
"I was absolutely mortified during it but I didn't feel it," said Jayme, who said she is giving serious consideration to a future as a paramedic.
David is still in Calgary but has had the tube removed from his lung and is waiting on a formal diagnosis for his future before being released. Jayme is at home and doing well.

Denise R

Swim Lessons at Fairmont- August 2-6, 2010

Calgary, AB

Hannah just finished up her lessons with Caleigh - I just wanted to tell you she was a great instructor. She worked well with the kids and Hannah was excited every morning to get up and go to lessons. We look forward to next summer.

Karen Mazil

Red Cross Swim Lessons- Summer 2010

Calgary, AB

Just wanted to thank you and your staff for a wonderful swim experience in Fairmont, Logan really enjoyed his lessons with Katelyn

Nancy & Cory

Swimming Lessons July 5-9th

Spruce Grove, AB

Just wanted to let you know what a great success the lessons with Anna were. Both kids had a wonderful time and are eager to do it again next summer.

Rod & Judy

Swimming Lessons

Calgary, AB

Chloe and Tate had a great week in your swim class, their confidence and progress in the water was very noticeable. We would also like to thank Katelyn; she was very patient, dedicated and knowledgeable. The grand kids really liked her and looked forward to going to swim lessons each morning with her. We hope to be able to have them in lessons with you next year.

Thank you

Rod and Judy Christensen (the Grand Parents) and Greg their Dad

gavinc@uvic.ca

Standard First Aid Course with CPR "C" and AED

Invermere, BC

So i was at work today- Friday July 9th, and had to go to the bathroom, which meant a walk to the Petro Canada from the kayak shack. so i'm on my way over, when i hear squealing rubber and a bang. i keep walking, until i see a lady stumble out of the car..

so i start running. i get to her, and there's a person or two already with her. i ask them if any of them have First Aid. they say "no." my pulse quickens.

i tend to her, give her a once-over to see how she's doing physically, and she looks okay. she's traumatized, so i sit with her and try to keep her calm.

ems shows up 10 min later; cleanup and care begins.

she's only traumatized, and my pulse relaxes. police thank me for my efforts.

I thank YOU (Dara) for my training on July 6 & 7th.


Gavin

jeff@zybertech.com

swimming lessons

Calgary Alberta

Probably the best swimming lesson teaching experience we have ever had with our kids, the girls progressed so much in just a few short lessons! Thanks so much we are happy we met you