Should I report this First Aid instructor?

If I ever have an M.I., or go into fibrillation, I hope you are not there to review the requirements for AED usage. Get out of the way, so the untrained guy can quickly follow the simple instructions on the AED.

That sounds a lot different from things here in the US. If you really think the guy was doing the wrong things, report it. From when I took my last BLS course, they explained to us that the AEDs are now made so that anyone can operate them, just in case there isn’t anyone around with actual CPR training.

A quick google reveals that in Canada level A courses cover AED’s where local regulations permit. As you may not always be in the area where you are now and may God forbid be somewhere where an AED is available and some one needs it then I don’t think it’s unreasonable to cover it.

Every basic life support course I’ve been on has briefly covered the use of an AED. There is a difference between giving brief training on what to do if you are ever in a situation outside of your work area and an AED is available and the training you need when you are at work and you are absolutely expected to use it which is what the level C course is aimed at (level C is the recognized level for Police, Fire, First Responders, Workplace First Aid Teams, Lifeguards).

If they do require the 8 hours, though, this instructor has failed in an egregious manner to train you all properly. If someone you need to help ends up being harmed or dies because you didn’t get the training, then it’s likely that, if the trainer is working for a company or the government, they can be sued for not making sure the trainer is doing his job.

They should know, so they can handle the situation appropriately.

With the way AED’s are made today (practically idiot-proof), I can’t imagine it requires 8 hours of training before you even have the legality to use them. I would kindly ask him aside whether or not the matters of fact are correct here – if you asked him during class time, he may have taken that as an attack on his integrity.

Either way, I would check thoroughly first before going to report him – as a first aid educator, his intentions are most likely good.

@coffeenut I think it has something to do with the “Emergency First Aid” portion of the class you were in. According to the Heart & Stroke foundation (which from what I’ve found regulates CRP stuff is Canada, the Heart Saver CPR (A) states:

“The HeartSaver CPR course contains up-to-date content and science from the 2005 Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiac Care. The course teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and choking relief in adults. Training in infant and child CPR and choking relief are optional. The course is designed for those who have a duty to respond to a cardiac emergency because of job responsibilities or regulatory requirements. It is also open to the general public.

This course does not train participants in the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

Approximate course length: 4 hours

To learn more about HeartSaver CPR, contact your provincial Heart and Stroke Foundation.” (source)

Since it is normally only a 4 hour course, it sounds like the extra 4 hours of the course you were in for the Emergency First Aid may have been why they discussed how to use the AED. Also, typically from my experience re-certification courses aren’t as much time as the original course, so it really does seem to have something to do with the Emergency First Aid course (which I haven’t found any infomation on).

Edited to add this:

I just found this on the Red Cross in Canada’s site. According to this, for the Emergency First Aid and CPR course, AED instruction is normal. So it sounds like he was doing the right thing depending on the local legistlation, as @Lightlyseared mentioned.

@Seaofclouds
Emergency First Aid + CPR Level A Time: 8 hours (two different courses)

CPR Level A
This course teaches the skills required for adult resuscitation only; including One Rescuer CPR, and choking maneuvers for adults. An ideal starter course.
Time: 3.5 hours

Level C
The most comprehensive level of training available, this course provides all the skills required for Adult, Child, and Infant Resuscitation; including One and Two Rescuer CPR, First Aid for Choking, and proper use of barrier devices. Available with optional AED training.

Time:6.5 hours(14.5 hours with AED)

HeartSaver CPR (A) course is just CPR

HeartSaver AED (C)

The HeartSaver AED course is designed to teach lay rescuers the lifesaving skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and relief of choking in adults, children and infants. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use is taught for adults and children. This course teaches participants to recognize and treat emergencies such as cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke and choking. The course is designed for those who have a duty to respond to a cardiac emergency because of job responsibilities or regulatory requirements. This course is also open to the general public.

5 hours with Infant CPR
4 hours without Infant CPR

My memory of training was that an AED cannot be energized on a properly operating heart. With that said with any type of rescue if you don’t feel capable of helping then let others step up.
In the heat of a moment the most overly trained citizens choke. Do the best you can and keep calm.

@coffeenut Did you see the last link I posted that shows the Emergency First Aid + CPR course that the Red Cross of Canada supports? It says right on it AED where permitted by legislation in the area. Perhaps the legislation in the area you took the course allows it. I’d check that and be sure before reporting someone for doing their job.

Yes the AED is a great machine and is very easy to use, But…. before he started explaining anything about it, He should explain to his students that there is a risk to using it

Emergency First Aid + CPR Level A—NOT covered by The Good Samaritan Act aka YOU CAN BE SUED FOR TRYING TO HELP SOMEONE I don’t know about you but I can’t afford/don’t want to be sued

First Aid Certificate must have: Standard First Aid + CPR Level C + AED to be covered

@Seaofclouds We don’t use the Canadian Red Cross,
Emergency First Aid, *CPR Level C** , and *AED***
*CPR Level A where local legislation requires **where local legislation permits
Here to get AED you need CPR Level C not A

@coffeenut If you genuinely believe he did something wrong report it.

To be honest I think if you are worried about getting sued by someone in the street because you offered to help then you would probably be much better off not doing the first aid course in the first place.

Understand that their is a difference between giving first aid at your place of work and providing first to aid to a stranger on the street. If your employer provides an AED or you are doing a job where it is likely you’ll need to use it (police, fire etc) then should you be given the proper instruction. That’s quite sensible and no different to any other piece of equipment you find at work.

If you are on the street someone and some one has heart attack the fast use of an AED will make the difference not only of whether they survive but whether they survive without suffering massive brain injury. When using an AED the difficult, hard to do, critical part is not knowing how to use the device, it is being able to give effective cardiac massage. Having looked at several Canadian good samaritan laws I think you would be safe to use an AED if you were to come across a casualty in the street. Again I want to reinforce the idea that providing first aid as an employee and as a private citizen are two different things. Given the prevelance, effectiveness and ease of use of AED’s I think it would have been remiss of the instructor not to cover them.