First aid training has traditionally been considered as just one of those courses done to simply tick the box as part of your OHS Procedures. BUT first aid is not just bandages and slings – it is gutsy, challenging and life saving and with the right training its application is made easy and effective. Most would agree training needs to be interesting, fun and practical however with inexperienced trainers the participant’s experience is often unfulfilling, leaving major gaps in the retention of life saving knowledge. Here is what to look for in your first aid training provider…
TRAINER QUALIFICATIONS
Trainers should have practical and current clinical backgrounds as Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedics or Registered Nurses from critical care areas such as Emergency and Intensive Care Departments with first-hand experience in providing first aid. Not all Registered Nurses have defibrillator/ALS qualifications, and not all ‘paramedics’ are ’emergency’ paramedics with ALS qualifications.
As trainers and experienced clinicians in their chosen fields, their depth of knowledge and understanding brings the course to life as the life saving course content is relayed in everyday terms and real life context – they have performed everything they teach, fully appreciating the fact that appropriate first aid lays the foundations upon which the ambulance service and hospitals can build. In context and with discretion, trainers share relevant experiences, not just ‘war stories,’ making you fully aware that as first aiders, you are in the frontline, not them. The sooner solid foundations are laid, the greater the chance of an optimal patient outcome. Coupled with their intimate knowledge of emergency services, such trainers teach you how to get the most appropriate emergency resource to your door in a timely manner– wherever you are. Someone needs to call the ambulance and 95% of ‘self presenting’ hospital patients are brought there by someone else. That ‘someone’ could be you.
BONUS FIRST AID TIP: When calling ‘000’ from your mobile phone, the Emergency Services do not know your exact location. By all means, call from your mobile if that is all that is available but also call from any landline, even from a blocked number, and they will know the exact location for a more timely response. Also, if you know anyone with a young family and who only has a mobile phone, please remind them that in an emergency, landlines are lifelines for children to the outside world.
EQUIPMENT
Adequate, top quality training equipment is vital to further reinforce the life saving information. The latest metronome manikins with the capability to instantly provide feedback data to the participant on the accuracy, depth and rhythm of CPR performed via a light panel on the shoulder are the best for enhancing the participant’s experience and promote more accurate assessment of their technique. Additional equipment such as several training defibrillators for each participant to apply and safely activate, plus scenario triage kits ensure the training experience is as practical and interesting as possible.
TRAINING METHODS
Training needs to be delivered using proven educational methodology and utilise modern methods of learning via a combination of online and practical delivery. Preliminary online learning ensures that all participants arrive for training with a similar knowledge level and the face-to-face instruction can be delivered in a primarily practical manner including the provision of accurate information and facilitation by the trainer, class discussions, DVD, whiteboard and PowerPoint presentations, practical exercises and critical thinking activities.
Cheaper courses offering less than 7.5 hours face-to-face components must raise questions regarding the qualifications of the trainers and the quality of equipment used – how much is really being invested in such resources to bring you the best quality?
RECORD MANAGEMENT
First aid training providers should be able to provide your workplace with record keeping benefits by providing a portal access to records of courses, participants and renewal dates at your fingertips.
DESIRED OUTCOME
First aid training should reinforce just how much you already know, the trainers recognise and fill in any gaps and ultimately give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to provide First Aid safely ensuring those in your care, workplace, family, and beyond are afforded appropriate first aid assistance.
So when needing to spend a day first aid training and having found an appropriate provider that makes the training come to life, the old saying “What a difference a day makes” has never been more relevant.
