BC FIRST AID COVID-19 POLICY
COVID-19 Protocols
As physical distancing is the primary means of preventing the spread of COVID-19, where possible staff and participants will maintain a distance of two meters apart from each other.
Where physical distancing is not possible and physical contact is an integral part of the training, BC First Aid follows guidelines from WorkSafeBC, Canadian Red Cross, Public Health Officer and those agencies involved in development and enforcement of the COVID-19 Related Measures Act and Public Health Act.
Registration and Pre-screening
• Participants will be reminded to stay home if they have any symptoms of illness prior to class.
• Participants will be required to wear a face mask to enter the classroom and participate in training.
• Participants will be required to complete a self declaration stating they have no known exposure to COVID-19 or shown any symptoms in the previous 14 days
Client and Employee completed documents
• Participants will bring and use their own writing materials and tablet/laptop/smartphone and will have access to the digital version of the manual. Manuals will be available but may not be shared between participants.
• Completed documents that must be reviewed, transferred and stored will be place in safe storage for 48 hours for decontamination prior to handling.
• Separate plastic bags will be provided for disposable material and for items that will require washing and disinfecting
Building Protocols
• Notices will be posted asking those entering to not do so if they are ill or showing signs of illness
• Traffic markers will be installed both inside and outside the facility.
• Sanitation stations will be set up with hand sanitizers and an area where hand washing with soap and water and paper towels is available.
• Off site training locations will be pre-screened to ensure that all the protocols for a safe classroom can be maintained.
Classroom training equipment protocols
• All non disposable equipment and mannequins used during the class will be cleaned and sanitized prior to student use.
• Disposable materials must be used by one participant only and disposed of in a plastic bag provided.
• Small props such as EpiPens will be cleaned and disinfected using 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol after each user has handled the item and prior to storage.
• Disposable lungs will be removed from mannequins after use. New replacement lungs will be reinstalled just prior to next use.
• All surfaces that may collect germs will be regularly cleaned and maintained using appropriate disinfectant cleaners.
• No manuals will be shared.
• Participants will be provided with materials they can use and take with them.
• Participants may bring their own tablet to class and access the digital version of the manual.
• Training equipment will be decontaminated according to national First Aid Program Standards.
Storage Equipment
• Contaminated training aids will be placed in a separate receptacle and transported to cleaning space.
• Training aids will be fully dry following decontamination before storing in clean storage bags.
• Disposable lungs in mannequins will be reinstalled just prior to use.
• All storage bins, cabinets and bags will be wiped down or washed often.
Classroom Training Set Up and Standards
• Instructors and participants will wear face masks during class and while in the facility. During CPR practice it is understood and acceptable that the mask will be lowered.
• There will be a minimum of 2 metres of separation (when possible) between students and between students and instructor, with markings on the floor to assist people to maintain physical distancing.
• Every student must wear gloves during all skill practices and assessment scenarios. Gloves should not be reused.
• Every student must use a pocket mask with single-use one-way valve when giving rescue breaths on mannequins.
• Only if it is 100% unavoidable, skills are to be practiced on/or demonstrated using mannequins or other inanimate training aids. If skills must be done on participants a mask and gloves must be worn.
• A 1:1 student-to-mannequin ratio will apply as well as 1:1 student to AED training device ratio, or end of class level cleaning for AED training devices between students.
• Hand hygiene must be performed at all times by all participants and instructors: beginning and end of class, before and after meals and snacks, and before and after skill practice sessions.
• The total number of individuals within a classroom will meet the provincial guidelines for group gatherings.
• Knowledge evaluations: after correcting, instructors will place knowledge evaluations in an envelope for 48 hours.
Face mask protocol
• When wearing a mask avoid touching your face mask, change for a fresh one when it becomes damp or soiled and discard and replace if it cannot be washed.
• As homemade masks have limitations after each use they must be put directly into the washing machine or a bag that can be emptied into the washing machine. Cloth masks can be laundered with other items using a hot cycle and dried thoroughly.
Handwashing protocols
• All instructors and students will perform handwashing hygiene using soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol will be used.