Superior EMS strives to provide an inclusive environment free of as many barriers as possible while ensuring the standards are met. We take the approach that everyone has the right to learn first aid and CPR skills regardless of disability. Certification is dependent on compliance with the standards.
Superior EMS also maintains its commitment to high quality first aid and CPR training programs, ensuring that all certificates are issued based on compliance with all current standards.
Identification
It is the responsibility of the participant to notify the instructor if there are any disabilities that may require accommodation. Instructors should also actively monitor the classes for individuals who may need additional support.
Written Examination
Where possible, if a participant identifies to the instructor a disability that precludes them from participating in a formal written examination, the instructor may administer the exam verbally or an alternative method to meet the objectives.
Skills
There are a number of mandatory skill requirements participants must complete in order to attain certification. Participants must meet the required skills standards to achieve certification. Where possible the instructor is permitted to make accommodations to the hands on experience to meet the participants needs. This can include such actions as allowing participants to practice bandaging in a seated vs. standing position, etc.
CPR
To be issued a certificate in compliance with the standards, participants must be able to:
(1) Be able to go to the ground
(2) Deliver effective compressions
(3) Deliver effective ventilations
Participants may alter the procedures based on their disability (i.e. using alternative hand positioning, etc.) as long as they are meeting the criteria of high-quality CPR (2-2.4” deep, at a rate of 100-120 BPM). Instructors may not alter the positioning of the manikin to accommodate disabilities, the skill must be demonstrated on the floor as it is unrealistic that a cardiac arrest victim will be found on the table to receive CPR.
WSIB Standards require participants to be able to demonstrate high quality CPR in a one-rescuer situation for:
(1) 8 minutes in Adults
(2) 2 minutes in Children
(3) 2 minutes in Infants
In addition, BLS standards require participants to be able to demonstrate high quality two-rescuer CPR for:
(1) 2 minutes as the compressor
(2) 2 minutes as the ventilator
for each of the 3 age groups
Defibrillator Use
Participants must be able to deliver effective CPR and defibrillation in both a shock, and no-shock scenario including the required CPR (2 minutes) per scenario on the floor delivering CPR to the standard of high quality CPR.
Procedures for Participants that cannot be accommodated
(1) The instructor should review the standards with the participant in a private area
(2) The participant should be permitted to complete the course for knowledge but be advised they cannot be issued a certification.
(3) if the disability is temporary the participant should be offered the opportunity to return at a future date when physically able to meet the standard to complete the required skills testing.
(4) the instructor should avoid centering out a participant during the practical sessions for not being able to meet the minimum standards.
When in doubt, the instructor should consult the program director for further instruction.
The Future of Accommodations
In the US, the AHA has developed a course called “The Advisor:BLS” which is designed for those with physical disabilities to provide the knowledge to educate persons on scene to help with the physical skills of CPR. This is currently not a WSIB approved course and therefore is not a recognized method of certification in Ontario. Skills testing remains a requirement for certification.