Would you know what to do if someone fell down and broke a bone? Would you know what to do if someone had a suspected spinal injury or internal bleeding? These are vital skills to learn in a first aid course. But many potential students have lots of questions regarding the training. Questions like do I have to do mouth to mouth when doing CPR training? Can I just do compressions when doing CPR? How many students are in a classroom? What does it take to be an authorized provider of OH&S approved first aid training in Alberta? Learn about this and more as you consider when and what first aid training to take.
What Course Should I Enrol In?
This is one of the most popular questions that customer service representatives have to face. If you want training that includes managing and recognizing broken bones, potential spinal injuries and internal bleeding then we suggest you register for intermediate first aid training which covers those topics. When in doubt, when comparing basic to intermediate first aid, it is better to register for intermediate first aid as it encompasses all of basic first aid. Your workplace or school will likely accept your intermediate first aid certificate when you are required to have only basic first aid. However, your workplace or school will not accept your basic first aid certificate if you have a intermediate first aid award.
Do I Actually Have to Practise Mouth to Mouth on another Person in a CPR / First Aid Course in Alberta?
No, most of your CPR training will occur on a sanitized and cleaned CPR training manikin. Not since the 1980’s has mouth to mouth on another person been involved in CPR training in Canada. For a number of health and ethical reasons this is no longer done.
Can I Just Do the Compressions when doing CPR?
Yes and no. If you’re required in the workplace to do CPR and they provide personal protective equipment you should use that equipment and provide the best available care. That said, since you have the equipment and providing ventilations is more effective, you should be doing the ventilations alongside compressions when doing CPR. Compression only CPR is useful in scenarios where you don’t have the personal protective equipment and / or you don’t feel comfortable doing ventilations. Talk with your instructor about compression only CPR when you enrol in first aid training with an OH&S approved provider.
How Many Students in Classroom?
The maximum number of students to teachers is as follows:
- The Canadian Red Cross has a 1 to 18 instructor to student ratio
- The Lifesaving Society of Canada has a 1 to 12 instructor to student ratio (the volume can go up depending on experience of instructor)
- St Mark James Training and Supplies is usually capped at a 1 to 18 instructor to student ratio but can allow for 1: 20 capacity in certain circumstances
Please keep in mind that additional instructors can increase the number of students in the classroom.
What Does it Take to be an OH&S Approved Provider?
In order to become an OH&S approved provider a approval process through Alberta occupational health and safety needs to be met. For more information click here.
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