Instructor's Corner

Instructor's Downloadable Forms

An Important Reminder to our Instructors!

Just a friendly reminder that any CPR courses you are teaching must follow the Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC-2000) guidelines and revisions. This applies to review and challenge re-certification classes as well.

New!! Web-Based Blended Learning

Save your company (and yourself) time and money! We have been selected to participate in the market test of the Blended Learning Program, which currently includes First Aid, Adult CPR and AED content. This format, which combines on-line training with an instructor-led skills practice and assessment provides greater flexibility for your students. As a pilot Chapter, we are hoping to train as many people as possible from October 2003 through March 2004. Please call us today if you are interested in this option.

Interested in purchasing an AED for your Workplace?

The American Red Cross recognizes Philips Medical as a preferred provider of AED's. The Heartstart FR2 and Heartstart On-site are both easy to use and maintain, reliable, and start at just $2,000.00 per unit. Call us to schedule a visit, discuss implementing a Workplace First Aid/CPR/AED training program, and demonstrate the latest in AED technology. You can help support Red Cross Disaster assistance and other programs by purchasing an AED through the Red Cross. Visit www.heartstream.com for additional information on the AEDs by Philips Medical.

Changes to AED Precautions

In the fall of 2000, national headquarters received and reviewed the Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) 2000 Guidelines and made decisions as to how the recommendations would be incorporated into American Red Cross training courses. One of the many changes in the ECC 2000 Guidelinds applied to the precautions to follow when using automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The guidelines state:

Metal surfaces are not included as a special circumstance because they pose no shock hazard to either victim or rescuer.

At the time, based on risk and liability concerns, the Red Cross elected to maintain our complete list of precautions, including the precaution not to use an AED on a victim lying on a conductive surface. Since then, national headquarters has received additional confirmation directly from AED manufacturers that it is indeed safe to defibrillate a victim on a metal surface as long as the appropriate safety precautions are taken. Specifically, care should be taken that the defibrillation electrodes do not contact the conductive surface and that no one is touching the victim when the discharge button is pressed.

The precaution regarding not using an AED on a victim lying on a conductive surface will be deleted from Red Cross products released from this date forward. The list of precautions will not be revised in future printings of products that have already been released.

Reserving Equipment and Materials

As soon as you are aware and have scheduled your class you should contact us regarding manikins and materials. We recommend that you call or email immediately even if the class is a month away. Calling early will guarantee you the manikins and materials that you request. We require minimally one weeks notice if you would like more than one manikin. We try to accommodate all the instructors needs, however, at times there is a manikin "crunch" and we aren't able to give you all the manikins you may need. One way to alleviate this problem is if you would return the manikins to the chapter as quickly as possible after your class. We would like the equipment back within 36 hours of the end of your class. Then we can get them ready for the next instructor. Remember to break the seal on the handles when you use the manikin so that we know it needs to be cleaned. You do not have to turn in the paperwork when you turn in the manikins. You can turn the paperwork in at your convenience. Thank you for teaching American Red Cross classes. If you have any questions please contact Mary Fenwick at 324-2929 or email at mfenwickredcross@alltel.net.

E-mail your Course Record and Roster Sheet

If you choose to complete your roster/records sheets on line, please email them to Mary Fenwick at mfenwickredcross@alltel.net.