COVID-19: First Aid Training Recommendations From DAN

Updated June 3, 2020

First aid courses require hands-on learning. When this is impossible, the quality of instruction is negatively affected. Due to the limitations of video conferencing, DAN does not endorse it for the hands-on portion of first aid training. It can, however, be used for discussion of chapter review questions.

As restrictions are relaxed in different locales and to varying degrees, abide by the following when resuming hands-on instruction:

  • First and foremost, follow local protocols for social distancing and allowed business operations.
  • Minimize class size to promote social distancing.
  • Reschedule people who were exposed to an ill person or who are themselves exhibiting symptoms for participation after recovery or required isolation times.
  • Disinfect and sanitize classroom spaces, manikins, AEDs and other equipment before and after classes.
    • Advise students of the protocols you are implementing prior to their arrival and after their departure.
    • Inform students of compliance expectations from them during class participation.
  • Require ALL class participants to wash hands before each skill, wear a face covering continually, use hand sanitizer and wear nonlatex gloves.
    • Personal barriers should be replaced as they become soiled. This applies to face coverings especially, as they can become moisture-rich.
  • Each student is to have their own oronasal mask with the filter chimney kept in place
    • Use the chimney in conjunction with the demand valve, bag valve mask and MTV. The valve adapter is to be disinfected between students, or a different valve or adapter should be used.
    • Snugly secure elastic straps to assure stability of masks, even on manikins.
    • For the demand valve skill: The student roleplaying the provider is to place their oronasal mask on the demand valve to test its function. Then the student roleplaying the injured diver is to place their mask on the demand valve (thus each person touches/breathes with only their own mask.)
    • For two-person CPR skills: The student doing chest compressions is to wear a face covering; the student doing ventilations is to use their personal oronasal mask. When reassessing the injured/ill person, the student who was doing compressions (with face covering in place) conducts the reassessment while the other student puts on their face covering. Once the assessment has been completed, roles are switched and the same barrier protection protocols followed.
    • For skills requiring roleplaying of an injured/ill person (e.g. control of external bleeding, pressure immobilization, some neurological assessments): Both the student performing the skill and the student role playing the injured/ill person will wear face coverings; the student performing the skill will wear gloves as well.
  • Disinfect manikins thoroughly between students. If available, provide each student with their own manikin, and continue to disinfect frequently to minimize bioaccumulation.
    • Clean manikin faces and replace manikin lungs at the end of each class (more often if indicated).
  • Properly dispose of nonrebreather masks (or students may take their masks with them.)
    • These are single-use items.
    • They should not be shared; each student should have their own mask.
  • Disinfect exterior of bag valve masks, and use only on manikins.
    • Wear gloves at all times.
  • Use of gloves remains part of the standards for all courses and should be diligently followed.
  • Exercise caution to avoid splatter when conducting skills requiring irrigation of a simulated wound.
    • Utilize face coverings and gloves for these skills.

Pairing family members or people living in the same household for skill development is advised.


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