Jun 21, 2004
We get a lot of great questions from MEDIC FIRST AID customers, so we’ve started a column to answer some of them. Each month, a different member of the MEDIC FIRST AID team will answer emails specific to their department.
This month Bill Rowe, paramedic and Director of Program Development at MEDIC FIRST AID, answers questions concerning certification and program approvals.
I was trained as a MEDIC FIRST AID Trainer in October of 2002, but left the company I was working for before I ever taught a class. I am now retired and doing some safety consulting. I have a customer requesting CPR/first aid training. What do I need to do to get re-certified? Wesley in Texas
Bill Rowe: Great question Wesley. Certification as a MEDIC FIRST AID Instructor or Trainer remains with the individual in situations like yours, where you are no longer with the company where you received your initial training. To be able to teach on your own you simply need to purchase your own video program and update your information in our Instructor Registry. There is no need to attend another class or become re-certified.
Call 800-800-7099 and a Client Services representative will be happy to assist you with both of these.
The company I work for says our CPR certificates that we received through MEDIC FIRST AID are not valid, even though the American Council on Fitness (ACE) and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) fitness organizations accept my card. My company wants proof that you're up to the qualifications of Red Cross, etc. Please give me something to go on. Thank you. Lynn in North Carolina
Bill Rowe: Hi Lynn. It’s important for your employer to understand that they need to meet state and organizational training requirements, not the qualifications of the American Red Cross, for first aid training. We work very hard to make sure our programs meet and exceed training requirements for various states and organizations. It’s surprising the ACE and AFAA recognitions were not helpful to your employer.
There are a couple of sources of information available on this Web site to help you. If you log in to the Facilitator support area and go to training support, you can look up approval information regarding your state. You can also visit our Medical Guidelines and Source Authorities page to find out information regarding the source authorities for the guidelines we follow.
In addition, any time an instructor is aware of an approving agency that does not recognize MEDIC FIRST AID training; the instructor can request MEDIC FIRST AID to make a submission for program approval.
Is Medic First Aid STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) approved? I work on an offshore oil rig, and I am sending a couple of guys to AB (Able Seaman) school. One of the new requirements is that their first aid training be STCW approved. Sam in Texas
Bill Rowe: Good to hear from you Sam. First, let’s clarify some terms. The Coast Guard does not approve training programs. What they do is verify and recognize that a training program meets their legislated requirements of 46 CFR 10.205 (h) for CPR and first aid training.
It's the organization that actually provides the training that needs to have STCW approval. A condition of approval is that the CPR and first aid training provided is recognized by the Coast Guard as meeting their requirements.
MEDIC FIRST AID Basic is a recognized program for both CPR and first aid. If you log in to the Facilitator Support area and go to the approvals section in “Training Support,” you can look at all of our approval and recognition letters, including our program recognition letter from the Coast Guard. If you need to you can even download a printable copy.
Remember, you can email any questions you might have to info@medicfirstaid.com. For questions that just can’t wait, call a Client Services representative at 800-800-7099.
