Volunteering with the Red Cross and learning how to right betterer. (Unrelated)

billwill

I'm interested in volunteering for the Red Cross, as part of the DAT (Disaster Action Team). Does anyone have any experience doing this? I'm also very interested in assisting when disaster strikes outside of my local community. Anyone done that?

---

Can anyone recommend books that would teach me advanced writing skills? I don't have enough to afford a college class to teach me, but I do have a lot of free time to read about it. I want to my local bookstore and there were about twenty thousand books on it, and I want to make sure I get one that gets me the most value for my dollar (and also isn't complete crap).

Thanks.

Robman

Start with St John's Ambulance, they will train you up to an EMT level of medical competency and will give you the experience required to handle a real emergency situation before the shit hits the fan.

That's really the best way to go about it - your preliminary training will give you a good idea if you have the stomach to deal with these events in person. Don't fuck with yourself for two goddamn seconds that watching videos on the internet is anything like trying to juggle a wife and young child literally pissing their pants and crying as their father/husband dies in front of them, as you're pounding this poor bastard doing CPR and zapping him with your AED hopelessly.

Your writing skills, well, as long as you passed your high school writing classes, you're on-par with any EMT's writing skills. I wouldn't stress over that too much.

billwill

Writing is personal, and not related to the Red Cross question. I just want to better my writing.

RUNN1NGMAN

What kind of writing are you talking about? The Elements of Style is great for general style guidelines and is very easy to understand. Other than that, it's really going to depend on what kind of writing you're looking for tips on. Honestly, if you understand subject-verb agreement and the difference between your-you're and its-it's, you're ahead of most people.

Robman

billwill wrote: »

Writing is personal, and not related to the Red Cross question. I just want to better my writing.

Well still do start with SJA before going for the Red Cross, because the RC will send you into the real deep shit if you'll let them. It's better to start bandaging scrapes at fairs before moving into natural disaster aftermaths.

billwill

After some brief reading about SJA it seems as if they are not in America, unless that wikipedia pic is deceiving me.

Also, I assume you've volunteered with the Red Cross or know someone that has? (Not requiring you to validate your advice, I'm honestly just curious).

As for the writing, I'm looking for tips on creative writing.

billwill

ALSO:

When volunteers travel to big disasters, does Red Cross pay for the airfare or does that fall on the volunteer? What about board and food? Something I've always been curious about.

TychoCelchuuu

To learn to write better you just have to read a lot and write a lot. Also The Elements of Style is indeed the best book. But yeah, just read more and write more.

Perpetual

billwill wrote: »

ALSO:

When volunteers travel to big disasters, does Red Cross pay for the airfare or does that fall on the volunteer? What about board and food? Something I've always been curious about.

Red Cross pays for it.

billwill

Perpetual wrote: »

billwill wrote: »

ALSO:

When volunteers travel to big disasters, does Red Cross pay for the airfare or does that fall on the volunteer? What about board and food? Something I've always been curious about.

Red Cross pays for it.

Wow, I'd imagine that adds up. Have you volunteered for them before?

Perpetual

billwill wrote: »

Perpetual wrote: »

billwill wrote: »

ALSO:

When volunteers travel to big disasters, does Red Cross pay for the airfare or does that fall on the volunteer? What about board and food? Something I've always been curious about.

Red Cross pays for it.

Wow, I'd imagine that adds up. Have you volunteered for them before?

No. I knew a few people back in college who did, when they decided that they'd rather volunteer rather than look for jobs. So they joined Red Cross. I don't know the details, except I knew they were poor as hell and were in no shape to afford plane tickets and accommodation overseas, but Red Cross flew them overseas for disaster relief.