How we return to First Aid Training with social distancing
Training must only take place where this is permissible in accordance with the UK Government and devolved administrations or regional restrictions.
Classroom set up:
1. Learners must be seated 2 metres apart. This will mean a reduced number of attendees on each course. I will need to view the venue prior to the course, to assess how many people will be able to attend.
Class induction process:
Checks will need to be made prior to the course commencing, these will be the following:-
2. On arrival, all Learners will be asked if they have been exhibiting any Covid-19 symptoms, which are a new continuous cough and/or a temperature >37.8oC and/or a loss of taste/smell. If they have, or there is any doubt over the possibility, they will be excluded from the course.
3. Learners will be asked if they are in a situation where they should be self-isolating (e.g. a family member has had symptoms or the Learner should be shielding as they are in an at risk group). Learners will be excluded from the course as necessary.
4. ON ARRIVAL, each Learner will be asked to thoroughly sanitise their hands. Instructions will be given that if they need to cough/sneeze this should be done into a tissue that is disposed of immediately. Failing that they should cough into a bent elbow (better than a bare hand) and NEVER cough/ sneeze without covering their mouth/ nose. If someone coughs on their hand or uses a tissue they must use alcohol sanitiser immediately.
5. The trainer will explain clearly that no one should touch their mouth, nose or eyes unless they have just washed their hands or sanitised.
6. All learners will have access to alcohol hand sanitiser throughout the course, as well as being informed of where they can wash their hands.
7. Prior to CPR practise, an explanation will be given to Learners regarding the protection that is in place to prevent infection during CPR practise.
The process for Manikin Hygiene is as follows:
a. Frequently replaced lungs/airways/valves
b. One-way valves, which stop air coming back out of the manikin mouth and direct expired air out of the back of the head via a filter.
c. Alcohol/sanitising wipes to be used between Learners, with an emphasis on
scrubbing.
d. Anti-surfactant wipes (e.g. Trionic wipes) used after each session (removes any biofilm as well as germ killing).
e. The above steps alone are sufficient to prevent infection and that is all that is normally used on most first aid courses. The Health and Safety Executive and Consultant Microbiologists at NHS England have approved these measures as being sufficient, however, in the current climate; we will also be issuing each learner with a personal CPR face shield to provide double failsafe protection.
f. Learners must use the face-shield facing the same way up each time. Check for the writing being the correct way up for example.
g. The nose of the manikin can still be pinched as usual through the face shield. Learners will still need to use alcohol/sanitising wipes on the manikin after use, even with the use of a face shield.
h. When & if available we may us alternative methods of infection control, such as individually issued manikins or manikin faces & lungs may be used.
i. On courses where it is necessary for Learners to complete baby (under 1 year old) CPR, we will be issuing each learner with their own manikin face and lung, this is due to the baby manikin not having a one-way valve.
8. Alcohol/sanitising wipes will be used between Learners on the manikin face, forehead and chest where hands were placed (to prevent hand to surface/surface to hand contamination). More than one wipe may be required. The sanitiser/alcohol will need to dry naturally before the next person uses the manikin.
9. If manikins need to be shared on a course, Learners will be placed into small groups and provided with a manikin, which will be used exclusively by that group for the duration of the course, to prevent the possibility of course-wide infection spread.
Where possible, we will endeavour to provide each Learner with their own manikin.
10. Learners will be asked to sanitise or wash their hands after every theory session.
11. Learners will be required to sanitise or wash their hands before and after each practical
session.
12. We will be ensuring that 2 meters of physical distancing is maintained between all Learners and between Learners and Trainers unless relevant close contact (less than 2m distance) is absolutely necessary for teaching or assessment purposes.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
13. The latest joint statement from FAQP and FAAOF now discusses use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the classroom. This updated guidance aligns with the expectation that first aiders in the workplace will be provided with, and be expected to wear appropriate PPE for emergency first aid incidents.
14. Face masks – Learners will be provided when necessary with 3-ply civilian face masks and shown how to use them correctly. During the course BOTH people must wear them during any close contact <2m during practise/assessment. If civilian 3-ply face masks become unavailable due to supply chain demands, we will adjust assessments to maintain 2 meters physical distancing, as detailed below.
15. Gloves – We will endeavour to provide gloves for any close contact required during the course for practise/assessment purposes, however, there is currently a shortage of stock making it difficult to purchase gloves for this purpose, and we don’t want to deplete stocks further, as this will have an impact on healthcare settings. Therefore, we have been informed that an acceptable alternative is to sanitise hands immediately before and after any close contact practise/assessment. The Learner will need to verbalise that they would wear protective gloves for the procedure before commencing.
Assessment adjustments to allow for physical distancing:
1. CPR
Learners will be required to maintain physical distancing during CPR practise, so they will act as a solo rescuer.
Learners will be required to carefully follow the manikin hygiene procedures detailed in this document.
The skill of providing rescue breaths will still be included in CPR training and
assessment, however adaptations to protocols that ensure the safe performance of first aid during the current COVID-19 outbreak will also be taught.
2. Unconscious Casualty
a. To minimise close contact, Learners will be assessed performing the primary survey part of the assessment on a manikin – Learners MUST NOT place their ear close to another Learner’s mouth, even when both parties are wearing a face mask.
b. To minimise repeated close contact, during initial practise, Learners will be asked to practise placing themselves into the recovery position.
c. For the recovery position assessment, Learners will be required to place another Learner into the recovery position. BOTH Learners must wear 3-ply civilian face masks during the procedure.
d. GLOVES – Whilst the supply chain of gloves remains affected, we have been informed that it is acceptable for Learners to sanitise hands immediately before and after the procedure. Learners should verbalise that they would “wear protective gloves” before commencing.
e. FACE MASKS – We will be providing all learners with a 3-ply civilian face mask for any necessary close contact. If they become unavailable due to supply chain issues, we will make the following adjustment to the assessment: Learners will need to verbalise how they would place a casualty into the recovery position and demonstrate this by placing themselves into that position.
A professional discussion may follow to ensure the trainer is confident that the Learner’s knowledge and skills meet the assessment requirements.
3. Choking Casualty
Learners will need to sanitise their hands before and after the demonstration. Learners will need to demonstrate back blows and the correct hand positioning for abdominal thrusts on a manikin. The manikin will need to be wiped down before it is passed to the next Learner.
A professional discussion may follow to ensure the trainer is confident that the Learner’s knowledge and skills meet the assessment requirements.
4. Wounds and Bleeding
The usual assessment for wounds and bleeding can take place if PPE requirements (as discussed above) are adhered to. Learners will need to sanitise their hands before and after touching any shared equipment and new bandages will be provided for each Learner.
If face masks become unavailable the following adaptations will be implemented:
Learners can demonstrate applying a bandage to themselves – on a leg wound if necessary, followed by placing themselves in the appropriate position to treat shock.
Alternatively, a head wound on a manikin can be simulated. A professional discussion can follow to ensure the trainer is confident that the Learner’s knowledge and skills meet the assessment requirements.
5. Slings
The usual assessment for fractures can take place if PPE requirements (as discussed above) are adhered to. Clean slings will be provided for each Learner. If face masks become unavailable the following adaptations will be implemented:
• Learners will need to demonstrate how their own arm would sit in a support and elevated sling by placing the triangular bandage on their own arm. In replacement of tying the sling behind their neck, it is acceptable for them to hold the ends of the sling tight so they can show where the sling would sit and state ‘I would tie it in this position’.
6. C-Spine/MILS
a. To minimise close contact, Learners will practise and be assessed performing Manual In-Line Stabilisation (MILS) on a CPR manikin. Learners must avoid placing their head in close proximity to another Learner, even when both parties are wearing a face mask.
b. To minimise repeated close contact, during initial practise, Learners will need to practise placing themselves into the spinal recovery position.
c. For the spinal recovery position assessment, the Learner must place another Learner into the spinal recovery position. BOTH Learners must wear 3-ply civilian face masks during the procedure.
d. GLOVES – Whilst the supply chain of gloves remains affected, we have been informed that it is acceptable for Learners to sanitise hands immediately before and after the procedure. Learners should verbalise that they would “wear protective gloves” before commencing.
e. FACE MASKS – We will be providing all learners with a 3-ply civilian face mask for
any necessary close contact. If they become unavailable due to supply chain issues, we will make the following adjustment to the assessment: Learners will need to verbalise how they would place a casualty into the spinal recovery position and demonstrate this by placing themselves into that position.
A professional discussion can follow to ensure the trainer is confident that the Learner’s knowledge and skills meet the assessment requirements.
7. Secondary Survey
The secondary survey must be performed on a ‘conscious casualty’. The casualty and the ‘first aider’ can maintain 2m physical distancing and the first aider should perform the head to toe assessment verbally, speaking with the casualty to ascertain if there are any identifiable injuries. During the COVID-19 outbreak, it is acceptable for the casualty to feel their own head/neck for bumps/tenderness/ injury, enabling the survey to remain contact free and physically distanced. If Learners do approach each other within 2m, PPE requirements as discussed above must be observed.
8. Management of Anaphylaxis (where applicable)
Learners can demonstrate how to administer a ‘trainer’ Adrenaline Auto Injector (AAI) on their own thigh before placing themselves into the correct casualty positioning for anaphylactic shock. A professional discussion may follow to ensure the trainer is confident that the Learner’s knowledge and skills meet the assessment requirements. Learners should sanitise hands before and after touching any shared equipment.
Alcohol/sanitising wipes will be used on the trainer AAI between learners.
