1. How is Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. associated with the Canadian Red Cross?
Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. is an independently owned company. Based on a decision made by the Canadian Red Cross a number of years ago, Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. became a direct delivery partner of the Canadian Red Cross. This means that Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. is independently owned and operated but privileged to offer the Canadian Red Cross program using the Canadian Red Cross manuals. As the Canadian Red Cross no longer offers these courses to the public they refer customers to independent companies such as Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc.
2. Does Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. ever cancel courses?
Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. honors the commitments it makes to the public. Once a course date has been advertised it is confirmed. We acknowledge that individuals require courses for employment purposes and we work with you to ensure that the course date is right for you.
3. What are the differences between the various levels of CPR according to 2005 guidelines?
According to the Emergency Cardiac Care Coalition members (ECC) which includes: The Canadian Red Cross, St. John's Ambulance, Canadian Ski Patrol, and Lifesaving Society the CPR 2010 levels are as follows:
CPR Level A (Workplace and General Public); covers adult skills and AED.
CPR C (Lifeguards, Police, Fire Professionals, General Public, Workplace First Aid Teams, Teachers, Industry, Pharmacy); covers adult, child, baby, two-rescuer CPR, AED, and perhaps rescue breathing.
CPR HCP (Health Care Providers; such as Nurses, Paramedics, EMTs, Physicians, Dental Professionals, etc...); covers adult, child, baby, two-rescuer skills, AED, and BVMs (bag-valve-masks).
These above courses can be combined with either Emergency or Standard First Aid. They are recognized by Workplace Health and Safety and can be recertified every 3 years. Some professions need to recertify every year; which can be accommodated.
According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation who has now aligned with the American Heart Association the CPR 2010 levels are as follows:
HeartSaver (A)(General Public and First Responders); covers adult skills, child and infant skills are optional, and AED is only mentioned.
HeartSaver AED (C) (General Public and First Responders); covers adult, child, infant, and AED skills.
Health Care Provider (C) (First Responders and Health Care Providers); covers adult, child, infant, two-rescuer, AED skills, rescue breathing, and BVMs (bag-valve-masks).
These above courses are only certifiable for 1 year; with a 3 month grace period.
4. If I have a current Standard First Aid and CPR course, does this meet employment standards for daycare and dayhome workers or those becoming nannies?
The Standard First Aid course is not recognized by Alberta Social Services for daycare and dayhome workers or those becoming nannies. Alberta Social Services recognizes the Standard Childcare First Aid course for these groups. This course covers some of the same topics as the Standard First Aid course but it has 2 additional chapters which are specific to caring for children in the childcare setting. This course includes Level B CPR: older child, child and baby skills and AED.
5. Why does the Canadian Red Cross CPR course have a 3 year expiry period but the Heart & Stroke Foundation CPR course has a 1 year expiry period?
In 2001, the Canadian Red Cross decided to streamline the expiry period for all its courses to three years. The three year expiry date meets Occupational Health and Safety guidelines. The Heart and Stroke Foundation has always had a 1 year expiry period and this has not changed. Many professionals in the community are required to recertify every year and this can be achieved by recertifying with either program option.
6. Why does Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. begin teaching at 0800 AM while other companies start teaching at 0900 AM?
Based on feedback provided by students over the years it has been recognized that a start time of 0800 AM better meets the life commitments of most participants. Starting early allows the class to end earlier freeing up your day.
7. If I have taken a first aid course but my ticket has expired, do I qualify for a recertification course?
It is important that you keep your ticket current as Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. will not guarantee recertification if skill performance is limited during a recertification course. As courses are held every weekend, we work with you to ensure that your ticket remains current. As an extra service to you, a Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. representative will call you a month in advance to remind you that your ticket is up for renewal. We therefore encourage all customers to remind us of address and telephone number changes.
8. What are the backgrounds of Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. instructors?
Dominique and Alfred Graf are both registered nurses and have been teaching first aid/CPR and safety courses for over 15 years. Dominique also teaches the leadership program and has been an Instructor Trainer for the past 8 years. Dominique is also qualified to teach the Heart and Stroke CPR program. Dominique is an active member of the First Aid Technical Advisory Commitee of the Red Cross. She assists with implementation of new guidelines and quality assurance. Alfred is working towards completing the requirements for an Advanced First Aid Instructor.
Karmjit has been with Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. for about 10 years. He has a degree in science and works as a Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi translator.
Kamarbir has been with Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. for about 6 years. He has a degree in science and has over 5 years experience working in a childcare setting. He has completed his degree as a respiratory therapist. Kamarbir has been promoted as the internal instructor evaluator for Breath for Life Inc. He will evaluate instructors on a yearly basis to ensure consistency and quality of instruction. Kamarbir is currently working towards completing the requirements for the First Responder Instructor certification.
Kevin has been with Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. for about 5 years. Kevin has 12 years experience teaching. As a Canadian Military Veteran and has taught various programs, including first aid, in many other countries. Kevin is currently teaching first aid to staff and vocational programs to offenders in a correctional facility. Kevin has been promoted as the internal instructor evaluator for Breath for Life Inc. He will evaluate instructors on a yearly basis to ensure consistency and quality of instruction. Kevin is also a First Aid/CPR instructor trainer.
Beth has been with Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. for about 4 years. She has 5 years experience working as a swimming instructor and lifeguard. Beth is also able to teach the Heart and Stroke CPR program. Beth has a nursing background and is currently a full time instructor for Breath for Life Inc.
Ryan has been with Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. for about 4 year. Ryan's background is in the environmental field. He is an indoor environmentalist and manages an environmental consulting and remediation company. Previously, Ryan spent four years living and working as an English teacher in Taiwan. Ryan, while there met his wife and was blessed with two daughters. Ryan's industrial and teaching background is an asset in teaching various levels of first aid.
Brian has been with Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. for about 4 years. Brian has been working as an EMT with a large rural/suburban ambulance service for the past 5 years; he also brings experience from 22 years as a firefighter. He has been teaching firefighting courses for 4 years, and first aid for half a year. Brian is also capable of teaching first aid in French. Brian is a current EMR Instructor. He will be teaching the recognized EMR program for Breath for Life Inc.
Paul has been with Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. for about 3 years. Paul has been working for the ambulance service for over 5 years. For the past 3 years Paul has been a proctor for the Alberta College of Paramedics exams in addition to working as a Paramedic/Manager and firefighter for Edson EMS. Although Paul can teach any first aid program his experience and background makes him the best candidate for teaching the Red Cross nationally recognized EMR program. Paul also sits on the EMR technical advisory committee for the Red Cross; assiting with guidelines changes and ensuring the program meets and exceeds Alberta's requirements.
Nick has recently been with Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc.Nick has been working as an EMT for the ambulance service in and around Edmonton for the past 2 years. Nick has has several years experience as a firefighter in Northern Alberta. Nick can teach any first aid program however his experience and background in EMS makes him the an excellent candidate for teaching the Red Cross nationally recognized EMR program.
Ashley has recently been hired by Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. Ashley has been a Red Cross First Aid/CPR instructor for the past three (3) years and has worked as an EMT for the past six (6). She is currently working full-time as an EMT in Rural Central Alberta and casually with an Alberta Air Ambulance Provider. Ashley has also worked in various emergency medical professions; including volunteer firefighter, ski patrol, lifeguard, sports trainer and 911 dispatcher. Ashley has recently completed her EMR instructor certification. Her vast experiences in teaching and coaching will be an asset to our teaching team.
9. If I have a complaint about a Canadian Red Cross provider who should I contact?
If your complaint is about a provider of the Canadian Red Cross but not an instructor of Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. you should call the Canadian Red Cross contact center (1-888-307-7997). If your concern is about a Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. instructor please forward your concern to our office. Your constructive feedback is always appreciated.
10. Would Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. hire me as an instructor?
Breath for Life (First Aid Education) Inc. is competitive within the community and continues to expand. We are open to hiring those who have experience in teaching, childcare, and have an interest in public speaking and service. If you feel that you have qualifications to be an instructor of first aid courses please send your resume to the e-mail address provided below.
If you would like to submit your resume or have any other questions please feel free to e-mail us at breathforlifeinc@shaw.ca
