HMU Academy: Intro to BLS/EMS

This Hit Me Up event is open to the public, 21+.

About the Workshop

Our Intro to BLS/EMS class is designed to help anyone in the community feel more confident recognizing when something is an emergency—and just as importantly, when it isn’t. We’ll cover the red flags to look for, how to safely approach a situation, and what not to do so you don’t accidentally make things worse. This is a judgment-free, harm-reduction-minded space where we slow things down, break things apart, and make emergency response feel less scary and more accessible.

We’ll also practice basic first-aid skills: how to support someone who’s dizzy or short of breath, how to check responsiveness, how to keep someone safe until help arrives, how to communicate with EMS, and how to ground yourself when adrenaline hits. This class does not provide certification, but it will give you a foundational understanding of first-aid concepts that you can use in real life. Our goal is to help you walk out feeling capable, calm, and ready to protect both yourself and your community.

About Your Instructor

I’m an EMT and lifelong caretaker with seven years of experience as a swim instructor and lifeguard, and a lifetime of working with kids and community spaces. Whether I’m in the water, teaching, or supporting people in nightlife settings, my focus is always on harm reduction, safety, and helping people feel more confident in their own bodies. I currently work in public-safety EMS at nightclubs, where I specialize in early intervention, de-escalation, and keeping high-energy environments as safe as possible. My passion is making emergency response accessible and human, especially for communities that have historically been underserved or overlooked. I’m teaching this class alongside my partner, Fen (they/them), a dedicated 911 EMT whose drive, discipline, and heart show in every call they take. Fen brings a deep well of knowledge, a steady presence, and a real commitment to educating people about emergency medical care. They’re incredible at breaking down complex concepts in ways that feel understandable and empowering. Together, we aim to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where people can ask questions, build real skills, and walk away feeling safer, more confident, and more connected to their community.

FAQs

FAQ: what should I bring?

Just yourself! And or a friend/partner you’re enthusiastic about learning with!

FAQ: any skill pre-requisites? (i.e., is this for beginners, advanced, everyone?)

Any prior knowledge is welcome! But not pre requisites. Come as you are!

FAQ: what should I wear?

Comfortable clothing you can move around in!

FAQ: can I attend solo, or do I need to come with a partner?

Either or

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✨Volunteers: Limited volunteer spots available. Please email admin@hitmeupnyc.com to express interest.

✨Location: 120 Walker St in Lower Manhattan. The space has an elevator. Please email hello@hitmeupnyc.com if you need any accessibility accommodations.

✨Full vaccination is required. While we recommend getting the booster shots, we are not verifying them at this time.

✨Membership: We reserve the right to refuse entry if needed. Hit Me Up also hosts private events which are invite only, and anyone new to Hit Me Up must apply and be approved to attend—no guests or plus ones. Please visit https://www.hitmeupnyc.com/join to join. You are welcome to inquire as to your status or that of your friends, but please do not act as if you have an entitlement to access our space or members. Building special spaces is hard, and while we are inclusive and welcoming, we reserve the right to curate our membership as needed to maintain our flourishing community. If you'd like to sponsor a new member please have them apply as soon as possible. If they wait until a few days before the event we cannot guarantee they will be able to be approved in time.

✨Please stay home if you are feeling ill or if you have had recent close contact with someone who tested Covid positive (within the past 5 days). You could be incubating and still test negative. Any requests for refunds for any reason will be honored up to the day of the event. Remember: safe, sane, and sanitary Just email hello@hitmeupnyc.com and we will give you a full refund, no questions asked.

✨Consent Policy: All of our events are ASK FIRST events. The rules of respectful and consensual behavior WILL be enforced. You will be responsible for reading our consent policy and behaving appropriately. Read our consent policy in full: https://www.hitmeupnyc.com/consent. If you have questions, want to make a report, or need support, please contact our third party consent reporting service, available at consent@hitmeupnyc.com.