Tag Archives: Onsite first aid training

First aid manikin and AED

WorkSafeBC Accepts Red Cross Blended Standard First Aid as OFA Level 1 Equivalent

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Did you know WorkSafeBC accepts Canadian Red Cross Blended Standard First Aid as OFA Level 1 equivalent?

How does Blended Standard First Aid benefit employers?

Instead of employees taking two full days off work to attend a classroom-based course, they are now out of the workplace for a single day. This reduces the need for employers to find cover, saving time and money.

What is Standard First Aid?

Standard First Aid is a Canadian Red Cross training course that includes essential lifesaving first aid and CPR skills for the workplace and home. The course meets legislation requirements for provincial/territorial worker safety and insurance boards. It follows the latest first aid and CPR guidelines.

What does Blended Standard First Aid mean?

A blended course includes an online component as well as an in-person session. Students complete an online course where they learn the theory behind the first aid skills. Following this, they attend a practical skills class where they get hands-on practice with equipment in the classroom. During this session, they will complete a multiple-choice test.

What’s the difference between Standard First Aid and Standard First Aid Blended?

With the regular Standard First Aid program, students attend 16 hours of in-person training in the classroom. Classes usually take place over two days. With Blended Standard First Aid training, participants complete the online, theory portion of the course at home or in the workplace. Following this, they attend a full-day, in-person skills session in the classroom.

Where does the practical skills session take place?

The Blended Standard First Aid skills session can take place onsite in the workplace or at a local training venue. You can schedule a group training session at your workplace or register your team members on a public course.

Standard First Aid Blended – About

Duration

Standard First Aid with CPR C Blended includes 16 hours of training –  8 hours of online learning + 8 hours in-person training. Online learning time will vary depending on the learner.

Regular Standard First Aid with CPR C includes 16  hours of in-person training

Completion Requirements

  • Attend and participate in 100% of the course
  • Successfully demonstrate practical first aid skills and critical steps
  • Achieve a minimum 75% mark for written knowledge evaluation

Standard First Aid Certification

Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR certification is valid for three years from the date the certificate is issued. After three years, the full course must be repeated to maintain certification. A shorter, recertification class may be taken before the initial certificate expires.

Standard First Aid Course Content

  • The Red Cross
  • Responding to Emergencies
  • Check, Call, Care
  • Choking
  • Circulation emergencies
  • CPR and AED
  • Breathing Emergencies
  • Wound Care
  • Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries
  • Bone, Muscle and Joint Injuries
  • Sudden Medical Emergencies
  • Environmental Illness
  • Poisons
  • Includes any other content required by specific legislation

Participant Materials

  • First Aid & CPR (eBook)
  • Standard First Aid – Online course (8 hours)
  • Standard First Aid certificate (digital certificate issued upon successful completion)
  • Printable version – Standard First Aid

Standard First Aid Private Group Training

Interested in Private Group Training for your team? Please contact us and ask for a quote.

Safe + Sound Private group training, onsite at Vancouver Film Studios.

workers providing first aid to injured co-worker

Why get staff trained in first aid?

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There are more advantages than you might think.

Most conscientious employers have “Get staff trained in first aid” somewhere on their to-do list. How high up this item appears on the list may depend on their previous experience of accidents and injuries in the workplace or knowledge of the advantages of first aid training.

Safety Training Makes Sense

In workplaces, where employees have suffered severe injuries or death, employers have learned from bitter experience that safety should always be the number one priority. Think about it, if your staff members are trained to check for dangers and deal with hazards, there will be fewer accidents and injuries at your workplace and less downtime. Also, you’ll likely see a boost in morale as workers are happier and more productive if they feel like employers care about their safety.

What about the bottom line?

As well as the human suffering that often results from serious accidents, there will also be an impact on the bottom line. Employers often make decisions based on savings in time and money. If you’re asking yourself the question, “Will getting my staff trained in first aid save me time and money?” the answer is yes!

Don’t learn the hard way

Employers don’t have to learn about the advantages of safety and first aid training the hard way, though. All they need to do is be smart about safety training and practices and make arrangements for their staff to get trained through a recognized course provider.

Online or Classroom Training?

All employees need safety training. Workers can complete some of this online, but for first aid, you need to send your people to a classroom-based course. With first aid and CPR training, there is no substitute for getting hands-on experience working with a CPR mannequin, AED and other first aid equipment and supplies. In a classroom setting, participants get expert instruction and direct feedback from a certified instructor.

Use the Services of a recognized Training Provider

The Canadian Red Cross has been offering first aid and CPR training to Canadians for over 50 years and is one of the leading providers of first aid and CPR programs in Canada. Safe + Sound First Aid Training is proud to have been a Canadian Red Cross Training Partner since 1999. The Red Cross courses and certifications we offer are nationally recognized and accepted in BC by Child Care Licensing, Adult Care Licensing and WorkSafeBC.

Eight reasons to get your staff trained in first aid & CPR

  1. It saves lives!
  2. It will save you money. Less downtime = increased productivity.
  3. Your workers will be safer in and outside of the workplace.
  4. Employees will be able to act quickly, confidently and effectively in emergencies.
  5. Your worker safety and insurance board will be pleased with you.
  6. It’s a great team-building exercise.
  7. You’ll see an increase in morale; people like to work for employers who care about their safety.
  8. You’ll have one less thing on your “to-do” list, and maybe you’ll sleep better at night.

Group First Aid Training is Easy to Organize

Providing first aid and CPR training for employees is a smart, low-cost investment that helps ensure workplace health and safety. If you’re thinking about organizing first aid and CPR training in your workplace, please contact us, or complete our Group Training Form and we’ll be happy to help.

Gill McCulloch

Safe + Sound First Aid Training

learnfirstaid.ca

604-945-7277

 

First aid & CPR certification – time to update?

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Do your staff members need to update their first aid & CPR certifications?

Are you responsible for staff safety training at your workplace?

Do you find it hard to keep track of who needs training and which staff members have to update their certificates?

What gets in the way of having your staff trained?

  • Time?
  • Budget restrictions?
  • No training room?
  • Confusion about which courses your team members need?
  • Lack of knowledge, about the differences between courses/providers?

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need our services!

Safe + Sound is a Training Partner for the Canadian Red Cross First Aid Program. With 20+ years experience in the first aid training industry and over 40,000 satisfied clients, we are well qualified and equipped to get your staff trained and certified. If it’s time for your team to update their certifications, let’s chat!

Group training is easy to organize. All you need to do is book a date for your class at our location or yours and provide a group of people. We’ll do the rest.

We can come out to your location with all the necessary equipment and supplies and conduct the training for your group. If you don’t have a suitable training room or area onsite, we can teach the class at one of our classrooms in Coquitlam or Burnaby/Vancouver. Our centres have kitchen facilities, free parking and WIFI and are close to public transport.

Benefits of Group Training

  • Courses can be tailored to meet the needs of your group.
  • Our instructors can include industry-specific first aid scenarios on request.
  • Group first aid training is a great team building opportunity.

Request a quote for Group First Aid Training

If you’re thinking about booking a group first aid training session in the Tri-Cities or Metro Vancouver, please fill out our inquiry form. We’ll be happy to send you the information you need and provide a quote.

Safe + Sound has been conducting group first aid training for 20 years. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve received regarding group first aid training:

Private Group First Aid & CPR Training – FAQ’S

Training Room Requirements 

Q: What are the room / space requirements for private group first aid training?

A: To meet WorkSafeBC requirements, the training room must have a minimum of 46.5 sq. metres (500 sq. feet) of clear working space in addition to the seating area per class of 10-18 candidates. For classes with fewer than 10 candidates, the room must be equal to 4 sq. metres (44 sq. feet) per candidate. The instructor must have an unobstructed view of the candidates during the training and / or evaluation.

Q: What if we don’t have a suitable training room onsite?

A: You can book a private course for your team at one of our classrooms in Coquitlam or Burnaby/Vancouver.

Choosing the right first aid course/certification

Q: Which first aid course or certification do my staff members need?

A: If you’re not sure which first aid course or certification your staff members need in order to meet industry and work safety requirements, we can help.

Q: Which group first aid training classes does Safe + Sound Offer?

A: Safe + Sound offers the following group first aid training classes:

  • Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level A
  • Standard First Aid & CPR/AED Level C
  • Standard First Aid & CPR/AED BLS
  • Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level A
  • Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED Level C
  • Emergency First Aid & CPR/AED BLS
  • OFA Level 1 (Emergency or Standard First Aid & CPR/AED)
  • Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR/AED Level B
  • CPR/AED level A
  • CPR/AED level C
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Mental Health First Aid – Basic
  • Mental Health First Aid for Adults who Interact with Youth

More info

Group Size – Private Group First Aid Training

Q: What is the minimum number of students for a group first aid class?

A: For Red Cross First Aid & CPR certification classes we will invoice for a minimum of 10 participants to cover costs. If you have a smaller group, you may prefer to register your people on one of our public classes.

Q: What is the maximum number of students for a group first aid class?

A: For Red Cross First Aid & CPR certification classes the maximum number of participants is 18 per class. For Basic Life Support (BLS) the maximum is 12.

Q: What is the minimum number of students for a group Mental Health First Aid class?

A: First Mental Health First Aid classes we will invoice for a minimum of 18 participants. Additional participants will be charged on an individual rate.

Q: What is the maximum number of students in a group Mental Health First Aid class?

A: The maximum number of participants in a Mental Health First Aid class is 25.

Q: How much does group first aid training cost?

A: In order to provide a quote we will need the following information:

  • Your business location
  • Which certification / course your staff members need. Ask us if you’re not sure.
  • Number of people who need training

Q: What methods of payment do you accept for group first aid training?

A: We will send you an invoice with your booking confirmation. We accept EFT, Visa, MasterCard and business cheque payments.

Course days and dates

Q: Which days of the week are available for private group training?

A: We can run a class on any day of the week and dates are subject to availability. Saturdays are the most popular day for first aid training. We recommend booking your class a few weeks before first aid certifications are due to expire. We take bookings up to 6 months ahead.

If your staff members need to update their first aid certifications, plan ahead and book the training now before their certificates expire.

Contact us today. We can help. It’s easier than you think!

injured worker lying slumped against wall with person giving first aid.

Basic Life Support (BLS) – 2019 Update and FAQ’s

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Red Cross recently launched the Basic Life Support Program. Development of this course was driven by industry audiences and the need for a clear distinction from public (or lay) CPR courses. Health care provider audiences require a professional, skills-driven resuscitation course that recognizes requisite knowledge.

BLS – Frequently asked questions

Q. What is Basic Life Support?
A. Basic Life Support (BLS) is the recognition of, and initial intervention or treatment given by pre-hospital or in-facility responders to, a patient suffering from cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest.

Q. Is BLS just a different name for CPR HCP (Health Care Provider), or are HCP and BLS completely different?
A. BLS is a new course that is vastly different from HCP, from the target audience to the curriculum and content. BLS is focused on high performance resuscitation and professional skills and does not provide prevention education and address other first aid components as was the case in our HCP curriculum.

Q. Why is Red Cross sunsetting HCP? 
A. BLS training supersedes CPR HCP training. The introduction of BLS means CPR HCP is no longer needed – audiences who previously requested the CPR HCP Course will either take CPR C or BLS training depending on the skills needed.

Q: Is Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) a nationally recognized program?
A: Yes, the BLS certification is recognized across Canada.

Q: Who is the BLS course designed for?
A: This course is designed for healthcare providers and trained first responders who provide care to patients in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings or by those that require BLS certification and CPR training to enter into a healthcare-related training program.

Q: What do students learn on a BLS course?
A: The primary goal of BLS is to give professional responders the fundamental skills needed to sustain life with CPR/Rescue Breathing and restore an effective rhythm with use of an AED. Follow this link and click View Course Details for more info and list of topics.

Q: Who is the Basic Life Support (BLS) Recertification course for?
A: The Basic Life Support (BLS) Renewal course is a fast-paced course that allows the experienced BLS provider (those who are confident in their BLS skills through regular use in their work in the ED, CCU, ICU on code team, or paramedics and first responders) the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge through written and skills assessment in a concentrated program. Successful completion of this two hour 15 minute course (approximate time) allows students to renew their BLS course completion card.

Q: How long is a BLS certificate good for?
A: A Red Cross BLS certificate is good for 1 year.

Q. Why is BLS only a one-year certification?
A. One year is the industry standard for BLS due to the high skill competency required. Resuscitation skills deteriorate over time and professional responders working in a team environment must know all positions and the skills within those positions. In a cardiac arrest event, any team member may be assigned to any role and must be competent to fulfill their duties.

Q. How long is the BLS Course?

A. BLS on its own is four hours of instructional time, with one additional hour for each of Airway Management and Oxygen Therapy certifications. The focused course allows for a shorter time frame and more flexible scheduling options.

Q. Is there a BLS Recertification Course? If so, how long is it?
A. Yes, there is a BLS Recertification Course and it is two hours of instructional time. If the participant has Airway Management and/or Oxygen Therapy certification(s) as well, they may recertify those at the same time. Additional time is needed to complete the Airway Management and/or Oxygen Therapy certification(s).

Q. Is there a minimum age for BLS participants?
A. There is no minimum age requirement. Participants must be able to successfully demonstrate skill competency.

BLS Training for Private Groups in Metro Vancouver

Book a private group BLS class for your team at your location or ours or register your staff on one of our public BLS classes in Coquitlam.

Questions? Email info@learnfirstaid.ca or call 604-945-7277

How can employers reduce the impact of poor mental health in the workplace?

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The link between stress, mental health and employee absence is well known; it remains a significant challenge for many Canadian employers.

Poor mental health in the workplace has a negative impact on both physical and mental well-being of employees. The early signs of poor mental health can be seen when employees begin to experience physical illnesses or conditions that are not directly related to their jobs like back pain, headaches, arthritis, and skin disorders.

Each year, absenteeism costs Canadian employers $16.5 Billion dollars in lost revenue. It makes sense for employers to look after the physical and mental health of their workers.

Smart employers are now offering Mental Health First Aid training in the workplace. Maintaining a happy, healthy workforce leads to higher productivity, less down time and absenteeism and this has a positive impact on the bottom line.

Mental Health First Aid – About the course

Physical first aid courses prepare people for medical emergencies such as choking, heart attack and broken bones. Mental health first aid training gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

A range of mental health issues will be covered, including mood, anxiety, trauma-related, psychotic and substance use disorders. The course will also teach first aid skills for dealing with drug overdose, suicidal behaviour, panic attacks, psychosis and acute stress reaction.

The goal is to enable participants to build the skills and confidence necessary to engage in effective conversations about mental health, help them recognize the most common mental health problems and illnesses, increase their comfort level with, and willingness to help others, and decrease the stigma and discrimination around mental health problems and illnesses.

PRIVATE group training for your team

Safe + Sound First Aid Training offers private group training as well as public courses. We can teach a course onsite at your location or at our Coquitlam classroom. For more information please call 604-945-7277 or follow this link

PUBLIC Mental Health First Aid course dates:

September 26&27 2018, Coquitlam  Register

November 7&8 2018, Coquitlam Register

Register online or call 604-945-7277

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, mental illness indirectly affects all Canadians at some time through a family member, friend or colleague. One in five people in Canada will personally experience a mental health problem or illness.

Everyone can benefit from taking Mental Health First Aid training.

 

How Mental Health First Aid Training Saves Employers Money

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As a responsible employer, you provide a physically safe environment for your workers. But what about their psychological health and safety? Are you doing enough to help your staff be their best selves at work? Supporting your employees’ mental health with Mental Health First Aid training, can improve productivity, reduce absences, and increase worker retention.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in five (20%) of Canadians, will suffer from a significant mental health condition at least once in their lifetime. Many people feel uncomfortable talking about mental health issues, however, things are changing. Media campaigns and educational courses are bringing awareness to how many Canadians are affected by mental health conditions.  These initiatives are taking away the stigma that prevents those suffering from mental health issues from seeking help.

The cost of a disability leave for a mental illness is about double the cost of a leave due to a physical illness. A growing body of international evidence demonstrates that promotion, prevention, and early intervention initiatives show positive returns on investment. Smart employers provide Mental Health First Aid training in the workplace because they want to:

  • Reduce employee absenteeism
  • Reduce medical and disability costs
  • Improve employee retention
  • Improve employee morale
  • Reduce stigma around mental health issues

Safe + Sound offers public Mental Health First Aid training in Coquitlam and we also do onsite training in organizations all over Metro Vancouver. If you’d like more information about our public courses or private Group Training for your team, please contact us.

Mental Health First Aid training in Coquitlam:

Register online for Mental Health First Aid in Coquitlam ($200.00+GST)

 

Onsite First Aid Training in Metro Vancouver

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Do your staff need first aid training?

We do onsite first aid training in workplaces in Metro Vancouver.  We can teach a class in the convenience of your own venue, or you can book a private course at our Coquitlam location. Private group training is easy to very organize. Just book a date with us and provide a group of people and we’ll take care of everything else!

We will come out to your location in the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody) Surrey, Richmond, Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver, North Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Abbotsford or Langley.

The Venue

The training room should be clean and contain enough seating for the number of people attending as well as adequate clear floor space for the practical sessions. Please see guidelines below. There must be washrooms nearby.

Training room size

Red Cross minimum room size requirements: 1.4 m2 (15 sq. ft.) available for every 2 participants.

For Level 1 (Workplace Emergency First Aid) courses, WorkSafe BC requires a minimum of 500 sq ft of clear floor space in addition to the seating area.

First Aid Class Group Size

Red Cross First Aid/ CPR courses:

Maximum number of students per class = 18

Minimum number of students you will be invoiced for = 10

 

Mental Health First Aid courses:

Maximum number of students per class = 24

Minimum number of students you will be invoiced for = 10

Special arrangements can be made for smaller or larger groups.

Don’t have a suitable training room onsite?

No problem! We can teach your group at our Coquitlam location or you can register your staff members on one of our public courses. You can find our public course schedule at staging-wp123859.wpdns.ca

First Aid in Farsi?

Our public courses are usually conducted in English, however we have an Iranian instructor who can teach first aid and CPR classes in Farsi. We’d be happy to arrange a private course for your group conducted in Farsi.

Ready to book your private group course?

For more information, or to make arrangements for your onsite first aid training, please contact us. To help us to serve you better, please give us the following information if you can:

  • Which course do your staff members need to take?
  • Would you like us to teach the class at your workplace or our classroom in Coquitlam?
  • Which day of the week is most convenient for you?
  • Do you have any dates in mind for your training? Please give a two or three alternate dates and indicate your preference.
  • Would you prefer to be contacted by phone or email?

Contact us today to book a private first aid class for your group!
Call 604-945-7277 and speak to Gill, or email info@learnfirstaid.ca