The Canadian Red Cross Moves to Digital Certifications:

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Canadian Red Cross

The Academy for First Aid and Safety is proud to announce an exciting change from the way the Canadian Red Cross issues its certifications:

In October 2017, The Academy for First Aid and Safety will transition from a physical wallet card based certification to a digital certification.  Each certification will have a unique serial number in which the student can verify its validity.  Furthermore, the student would not need to pay for a replacement card anymore since it is in digital format and is stored on the student’s phone, computer, and the Canadian Red Cross’ mobile app.

In order to remain in compliant with Regulation 1101 of the Workplace Safety Insurance Act with keeping proper records of all certifications, our academy (who is in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross Society) will implement these changes.  This will be a national wide change and every Canadian Red Cross training partner will undergo the same transition, regardless of which Canadian Red Cross training partner you obtain your certification from.

What will this mean for all students who take a first aid and / or CPR course from our Academy?

  • A physical wallet sized card will no longer be issued. Instead, a digital card will be e-mailed to your inbox.
  • If you lose your certification, there would be no need to make a payment to obtain a replacement card.
  • A paper copy of the first aid and CPR training booklet that you would traditionally receive at our classes will be replaced by a digital copy sent to your e-mail. The digital booklet can also be accessed through the Canadian Red Cross Society's mobile app.
  • Should you require a paper copy of the first aid and CPR booklet, they will be available for purchase for a small fee of $7.00.
  • Every digital certification will contain a unique serial number which can verify your certification's authenticity and personal details.

With the upcoming changes to the way we issue Canadian Red Cross certifications, we look forward to delivering you high quality, fun, and interactive first aid and CPR training programs in the greater Toronto area.  We anticipate that these changes will simplify the way certifications are held, stored, and retrieved in the unfortunate event of it becoming lost or stolen.

– The Academy for First Aid and Safety of Toronto

Automated external defibrillator use: What are they and how are they used?

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Automated external defibrillators
Automated external defibrillators are simple to use, but it is highly recommended that sufficient training is obtained prior to actual use:

AEDs (or automated external defibrillators) are battery operated portable devices that provide critical medicare in the event of a cardiac arrest.  They are simple to use, in fact, it is quite possible for someone without any training whatsoever to use it properly the first time and successfully revive a person in the event of a medical situation.

What do AEDs do?

AEDs detect abnormal heartbeat rhythms through the two shock pads that are placed at the top left and bottom right of the patient’s torso. Once in analyzing mode the shock pads detect what kind of heartbeat rhythm the patient has, which determines whether or not a shock is needed to re-establish a normal heartbeat rhythm.

Danger-of-An-Irregular-Heartbeat-types
A normal heartbeat rhythm vs abnormal:

Abnormal heartbeat rhythms:

  • Ventricular bradycardia: Heart beat too slow, abnormal.
  • Ventricular tachycardia: Heart beat too fast, abnormal.
  • Ventricular fibrillation (or v-fib): Rapid, irregular heartbeat rhythm.
  • Asystole: No heartbeat rhythm, no electrical activity, or “flat line.”

How AED's Save Lives:

AEDs detect the heartbeat rhythm of a patient.  If the shock pads detect an abnormal heartbeat rhythm (bradycardia, tachycardia, fibrillation), the AED will charge up to deliver a shock to the torso are an effort to re-start the heart and re-establish a normal heartbeat rhythm.

What about asystole?

It is a common myth to assume that a defibrillator will shock the heart when it is “flat line” in order to re-establish a heart beat rhythm.  The truth is, the AED doesn’t deliver any shock if asystole is detected.  In order to re-establish a heartbeat rhythm again, manual CPR compression is needed.  Paramedics can also inject adrenaline drugs in the body in order to stimulate electrical activity in the heart in combination with manual CPR compression and oxygen administration.

Do I need training in order to use an AED?

AED manufacturers make the use of AEDs as simple as possible through voice prompts.  As soon as you turn the AED on, the AED will give you systematic voice prompts to instruct you on what to do.  The most common voice prompts an AED gives you are:

  1. AED is on and initialized.
  2. Remove clothing from person’s chest.
  3. Attach pads as shown on the diagrams on the shock pads.
  4. Plug in connector.
  5. AED in analyzing mode and to stand clear of the body.
  6. AED determines whether or not a shock is needed.  If needed, it will charge up.  A warning sound will sound off and another alert to stand clear will be given.
  7. Instruction to push the shock button.
  8. Perform CPR compressions for 2 minutes.
  9. Repeats at step 5.

By simply following the voice prompts systematically, it is very possible for someone who has not had any training in automated external defibrillator use to successfully revive a patient in cardiac arrest.  However, it is highly recommended to obtain proper automated external defibrillation training prior to use due to the fact that any mistake you make can be fatal.  The most common mistakes that our first aid instructors see from their students are:

  1. Pushing the shock button when someone else is performing CPR.
  2. Pushing the shock button when a bystander is touching the patient.
  3. Pushing the shock button when a body part is still touching the patient (i.e. knee touching patient’s torso).
  4. Pushing the shock button when a body part is too close to the patient.
  5. Failure to tell crowd around the patient to stand clear when delivering the shock.
  6. Improper sequence of AED use (i.e. plugging in connector first, turning on AED last).
  7. Distraction from bystanders, causing a disruption in concentration.
AED training
Proper AED training can mean the difference between life and death:
Other things to consider when using an AED:
  • What to do if the patient is pregnant.
  • What to do to if the patient has excess chest hair.
  • What to do if the patient has jewelry or metal framed bras.
  • What to do if the person is too wet (i.e. just came out of the pool).
  • What do to if the person as an implanted defibrillator or pacemaker.

How our academy can help with proper AED use:

The Academy for First Aid and Safety of Toronto can deliver comprehensive theory and hands on training for automated external defibrillator use so you can use an AED confidently in the event of a cardiac arrest emergency.  Regulation 1101 of the Employment Standards Act of Ontario has made AED use a mandatory subject when employees obtain their first aid and CPR certification.