First Aid Training

[Senior]

Last year in Missouri, CAP members received an email from the MOWG
ES Director.  It stated that First Aid/CPR training had to be from ARC and
some other organization.  I don't remember the other organization.  I have asked members in MOWG to no avail.  Has any other wing received this email, I think it came from National?  I don't remember, I don't have the old email and I can't get on eServices(password problem ))

[MSgt Van]

I don't have the email, but our squadron is trained by American Heart Association instructors.

[Eclipse]

There is no nationally-mandated first-aid training provider.

Generally the training body is one of the below:

American Red Cross:  http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont5294_lang0_1934.pdf
American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3054127
National Safety Council (Green Cross): http://www.nsc.org/
American Institute of Safety & Health (ASHI): http://www.ashinstitute.org/

There are others, including the training provided by NESA and HMRS.

The question of who may provide first aid training comes up on a regular basis, and whenever we have queried NHQ on the subject the answer has always been: "They must be a card-issuing agency or organization (i.e. generally not the fire station) and provide community-level first aid or higher."

Also, NHQ says the online FA instruction is not acceptable.

If Missouri has an approved supplement to 60-1, then they are free to dictate where you can take the training, however absent that supplement, its a wive's tale or someone is pushing an agenda without authority and this should be addressed through the chain by your commander.  In some cases it may not be a problem, however if you don't have access to an ARC or (other) required trainer, that could block your people from qualification for years.

A side note:  CPR is no longer required for any of our ES ratings, however its a good idea to maintain your currency in that as well.  Be careful, though, as there are some CPR-focused training classes that don't meet the community level first aid requirements.

[Senior]

Eclipse and others thank you.  I tried to get that info in MO and it was like
pulling teeth   I don't think MO has an approved trainer/organization,
but they were clarifying what organization was acceptable.  I think they
were trying to cut out the firehouse/ambulance shed training.  ARC is
everywhere around St. Louis it seems,  though they charge a lot for the
classes. 

Are the different organizations,in Eclipses reply, listed on eServices?

[Eclipse]

Nothing in eServices, but I think the KB has what you're looking for.  Answer # 1309

Q:
What are the guidelines as far as training cadets in CPR and/or First Aid? Is there any specific organization that CAP wants squadrons to use for this training? What are the requirements to be certified as far as SAR and ES is concerned?

A:
Note: Generally the only first aid and CPR requirements are in the area of emergency services, primarily for ground team members. A new CAPR 60-3 will further define this soon, and the language we expect to be approved is:

When first aid or higher medical training is required for qualification in a particular specialty, the expectation is that the qualification course includes both knowledge and practical skills training; first aid courses taken on-line only are not acceptable; though members are not considered employees when supporting operations, courses are expected to meet ASTM F 2171-02, Standards, Standard Guide for Defining the Performance of First Aid Providers in Occupational Settings.  CAP medical personnel are not provided supplemental malpractice insurance coverage, and any care provided is at the members own risk.  Though medical supplies and equipment are not normally provided to responders, any reasonable supplies used on training or actual missions may be submitted for reimbursement with justification.

JOHN W. DESMARAIS, Sr.
Deputy Director, Operations
Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters

---------------------------------------------------------------

We do not require them to take a specific organization's courses or get specific certificates - there really are a variety of options across the country. Our intention is for personnel to meet and document completion of some basic standards. See the attached file below which should give you an idea as to what we are looking for when asked if we would consider a course equivalent. There are many courses and organizations that provide training to meet these requirements.

There is not a national program for CAP to get CPR and First Aid for free.  Some units and wings have made arrangements locally with the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, National Safety Council, or other providers though.  This is typically done by having members become instructors so that they can provide training at minimal cost if any.  Some communities also offer free training like this to the public and CAP members can often take advantage of it, but again, there is no national program at this time.

JOHN W. DESMARAIS, Sr.
Deputy Director, Operations
E-mail: jdesmarais@capnhq.gov

Note:  Some states require a first aid responder be trained and certified through an approved program in order to be covered by the Good Samaritan Law in that state. Recommend Unit leaders and/or Unit ES Officers check their state's Good Samaritan Laws and the Good Samaritan Laws of those states where their unit might assist in emergency services. For instance, a unit in southeastern Pennsylvania might tailor their first aid training around the requirements for PA, MD, DE, NJ, and possibly VA. For links to the laws for various states see http://www.cprinstructor.com/legal.htm.

Thanks to Barbara McCutcheon, 1Lt, CAP

Also see Answer 90: First Aid   Click Here

Answer 603: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)   Click Here