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Tag Archives: Occupational First Aid

Why Priority Care?
  • All courses offer 3 year certification from the Canadian Red Cross, and are recognized by various levels of government, licensing boards, and regulatory bodies.


  • Our instructors are accredited professionals, who have years of field experience providing care to real patients.


  • Priority Care uses modern teaching methodologies, creating a relaxing classroom environment that is fun to learn in.


  • Priority Care uses clean, new equipment including multimedia presentations, manikins, AED trainers, and first aid supplies.


  • Priority Care offers private courses that meet the needs of our clients. We can come to you. Anytime. Anywhere.
What will I learn?
  • The Red Cross
  • Preparing to respond (Good Samaritan Act, prevention of disease transmission, use of barrier devices)
  • The EMS system
  • Patient assessment (check, call, care)
  • Airway emergencies - management of choking emergencies
  • Artificial respiration for respiratory arrest (Health Care Providers only)
  • Circulation emergencies (angina, heart attack, stroke)
  • Cardiac arrest management - One Rescuer CPR & AED
  • Cardiac arrest management - Two Rescuer CPR (Health Care Providers only)
  • Use of the Bag Valve Mask (Health Care Providers only)
What will I learn?
  • The Red Cross
  • Preparing to respond (Good Samaritan Act, prevention of disease transmission, first aid kits)
  • The EMS system
  • Patient assessment (check, call, care)
  • Airway emergencies (choking in babies, children, adults)
  • Breathing & Circulation emergencies (asthma, anaphylaxis, croup, epiglottitis, SIDS, deadly bleeding, respiratory & cardiac arrest)
  • Cardiac arrest management - CPR & AED (baby, child, adult)
  • Head & spine injuries (including shaken baby syndrome)
  • Fractures & sprains
  • Wound care
  • Sudden medical emergencies (fainting, diabetes, seizures)
  • Environmental emergencies & Poisons
  • Recognition & reporting of suspected child abuse
  • Child safety
What will I learn?
  • The Red Cross
  • Preparing to respond (Good Samaritan Act, prevention of disease transmission, first aid kits)
  • The EMS system
  • Patient assessment (check, call, care)
  • Airway emergencies (choking in babies, children, adults)
  • Breathing emergencies (asthma, anaphylaxis, hyperventilation, respiratory distress, respiratory arrest)
  • Circulation emergencies (angina, heart attack, stroke, deadly bleeding, shock, cardiac arrest)
  • Cardiac arrest management - CPR & AED (baby, child, adult)
  • Wound care
What will I learn?
  • The Red Cross
  • Preparing to respond (Good Samaritan Act, prevention of disease transmission, first aid kits)
  • The EMS system
  • Patient assessment (check, call, care)
  • Airway emergencies (choking in babies, children, adults)
  • Breathing emergencies (asthma, anaphylaxis, hyperventilation, respiratory distress, respiratory arrest)
  • Circulation emergencies (angina, heart attack, stroke, deadly bleeding, shock, cardiac arrest)
  • Cardiac arrest management - CPR & AED (baby, child, adult)
  • Head & spine injuries
  • Fractures & sprains
  • Wound care
  • Sudden medical emergencies (fainting, diabetes, seizures, childbirth)
  • Environmental emergencies
  • Poisons
What will I learn?
  • The Red Cross
  • Preparing to respond (workplace first aid policy, prevention of disease transmission)
  • Patient assessment (c-spine control and check, call, care)
  • Soft tissue injuries (minor wound care, burns, back injuries, eye injuries, poisons, OS&H paperwork & MSDS)
  • Airway emergencies (choking in adults)
  • Breathing emergencies (assisted ventilations, artificial respirations, asthma, anaphylaxis)
  • Circulation emergencies (shock, deadly bleeding, chest pain management, CPR)
  • Sudden medical conditions (fainting, diabetes, seizures, strokes)
What will I learn?
  • The Professional Responder
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Prevention of Disease Transmission
  • Managing the Emergency Scene
  • Patient Assessment (primary and secondary survey, including blood pressure assessment)
  • Airway & Ventilation (including the use of oral airways, suction, oxygen therapy, pocket and bag valve masks)
  • Respiratory Emergencies (including assisting with patient medications for asthma and anaphylaxis)
  • Circulation Emergencies (including care of the chest pain patient, assisting with patient medications for chest pain, CPR and AED use)
  • Shock & Bleeding (including tourniquet application)
  • Head & spine injuries (including spinal rolls, helmet removal, hard collar application and spinal immobilization)
  • Chest, Abdominal, and Pelvic Injuries
  • Fractures & sprains
  • Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Sudden Medical Emergencies (including managing the diabetic patient)
  • Environmental emergencies
  • Poisons
  • Special Populations
  • Childbirth
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Reaching & Moving People
  • Multiple Casualty Incidents
What will I learn?
  • The Professional Emergency Medical Responder
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Prevention of Disease Transmission
  • Managing the Emergency Scene
  • Pharmacology (including the administration of Entonox for pain management)
  • Patient Assessment (primary and secondary survey, including blood pressure assessment, pulse oximetry (SPO2 monitoring), and chest auscultation)
  • Airway & Ventilation (including the use of oral airways, nasal airways, suction, oxygen therapy, pocket and bag valve masks)
  • Respiratory Emergencies (Asthma, COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, CHF. Also included is assisting with patient medications for asthma/COPD and anaphylaxis)
  • Circulation Emergencies (including care of the angina and heart attack chest pain patient, assisting with patient medications (nitroglycerin and ASA) for chest pain, care of the stroke patient, and CPR and AED use)
  • Shock & Bleeding (including tourniquet application)
  • Head & spine injuries (including spinal grips, spinal rolls, helmet removal, hard collar application, use of the spine board, clamshell, and KED for spinal immobilization)
  • Chest, Abdominal, and Pelvic Injuries
  • Fractures & sprains (including use of the Sager traction splint)
  • Soft Tissue Injuries
  • Sudden Medical Emergencies (fainting, seizures, and diabetes. Included is the use of a glucometer and oral glucose for managing the hypoglycemic diabetic patient)
  • Environmental emergencies (heat and cold emergencies)
  • Poisons
  • Special Populations
  • Childbirth
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Reaching & Moving People (including an ambulance orientation and use of common patient movement devices such as stretchers and stairchairs
  • Multiple Casualty Incidents
What will I learn?
  • The Red Cross
  • ILCOR and guideline development
  • Basic Life Support skills
  • Adult & child education theory (how people learn)
  • Learning styles & the domains of learning
  • Instructional techniques (how to teach))
  • Effective use of instructional equipment
  • Providing effective feedback
  • Assessment & evaluation of skills & knowledge
  • Lesson planning
  • Classroom management skills
  • Managing difficult student behaviours
  • Cleaning & care of instructional equipment
  • Organizing first aid & CPR/AED courses
Upcoming Courses:
Upcoming Courses:
First Responder: January 27-31
First Responder: January 27-31
First Responder: January 27-31
First Responder: January 27-31
First Responder: January 27-31
First Responder: January 27-31
First Responder: January 27-31


OFA-3 to EMR – Should I Upgrade?

May 8, 2021

Emergency Medical Responder course

 

Last week we published a blog post that discussed whether it was worthwhile to upgrade a First Responder certificate to an Emergency Medical Responder one.  Our answer was a resounding yes, and this week we would like to answer a similar question from a student who asked if they should upgrade their OFA-3 certificate to the EMR level.

OFA-3 and EMR share a lot of common ground; they are both courses designed to train an Advanced First Aider to:

  • Control an emergency scene

  • Conduct a primary survey and treat any life threatening injuries that are found

  • Package a patient appropriately and transport them to the hospital

  • Continue assessment and treatment on scene and in the back of a transport vehicle.

  • Care for any non life threatening injuries found.  And,

  • Provide a hand off report to the next level of care (i.e. paramedics or hospital staff)

The difference between the two courses lies largely in context:

The Occupational First Aid program trains first aid attendants who care for injured workers on job sites, with the OFA-3 course designed specifically for first aiders who work in remote areas that are a distance away from the hospital.  The course focuses heavily on the care of traumatic injuries that happen on job sites, both major and minor, as well as the treatment of common workplaces ailments like repetitive strain injuries, flash burns, occupational dermatitis, the completion of WorkSafe BC’s required paperwork, etc.  Because there is a workplace focus, OFA-3 courses do not spend a large amount of time on medical emergencies, there is no time spent on the care of paediatric patients, and the skills taught are limited to the use of equipment found on job sites governed by WorkSafe BC.

The Emergency Medical Responder program, on the other hand, was designed to train entry level people who respond to a wide variety of calls within the 911 system.  The course teaches an even balance of trauma management and the care of various medical emergencies, it provides basic life support training for all patient demographics (infants, children, adults), it uses a wide variety of equipment found in modern ambulance services, and it focuses heavily on working in a team based environment.

While the two courses have differences, they actually compliment each other in a very good way.  When an OFA-3 attendant upgrades or bridges their OFA-3 certificate to the EMR level they will learn things like:

  • A more detailed patient assessment, including blood pressure assessment, blood sugar assessment, and how to auscultate the lungs with a stethoscope.

  • New airway management skills, such as the use of nasal airways as a compliment to the oral airways already used in the OFA-3 curriculum.

  • A team based approach to performing high performance cardiac arrest management.

  • Basic medical protocols for the safe administration of drugs like Nitro, ASA, Entonox, Glucose, etc.

  • New treatment options for injuries, such as professional pelvic binding, traction splinting, etc.

  • IV maintenance skills, designed to allow the EMR to assist paramedics more effectively on scene.

  • Enhanced education in areas such as pharmacology, pediatrics, obstetrics, etc.

When we wrote about upgrading First Responder to the EMR level, we said that EMR can “fills the gaps” in a First Responder’s knowledge base.  This is also true when a student upgrades their OFA-3 certificate to an EMR one, but with the added benefit of the student also having all of the workplace specific knowledge as well.

We strongly feel that OFA 3 plus EMR is an excellent level of knowledge to have!

 

How do I upgrade my OFA-3 to an EMR?

We offer the OFA-3 to EMR bridge course in a six day format, both in our classroom in Langley and throughout the lower mainland in group course settings.  Our face to face education is supported by detailed reading lists and online practice exams, which allow students to test their progress during a course.

To learn more about the OFA-3 to EMR Bridging course click HERE.

To view upcoming course dates, you can click HERE.

Best wishes,

The Priority Care First Aid Team

Occupational First Aid Level 3 versus First Responder

April 18, 2021

I am an Occupational First Aid Level 3 (OFA-3) ticket holder. What is the difference between the Red Cross First Responder course and the Occupational First Aid (OFA) courses?

The WorkSafe BC Occupational First Aid program was designed specifically to focus on the needs of injured workers. The vast majority of the course focuses on assessing and managing traumatic injuries in the workplace, and the training is tailored to that environment. An example of this is the delegation of tasks to others on the accident scene. Because a workplace typically only has one trained Occupational First Aid attendant students are taught that all people assisting on the call are untrained. This is a realistic assumption in the workplace, but one that impacts how the patient management occurs. The Occupational First Aid courses also do not include specific training on pediatric emergencies, because workers are usually adults.

The Red Cross First Responder course was designed to train professional responders working in a wide variety of environments, including working within the 911 system, to respond to emergencies of all natures.

Because of this the course focuses on a wide range of medical and traumatic emergencies, including pediatrics, childbirth, etc. First Responders are taught to work in teams to provide optimal care. The patient assessment model is flexible, to reflect the realities of calls that occur in ever changing environments.

To learn more about the First Responder program click HERE.

And, to view upcoming course dates you can click HERE.

Testimonials:

“I would like to say thank you to the instructors at Priority Care for their excellent instruction. The EMR course I took was well paced, had a perfect mix of theoretical and hands on training, and was always taught in accordance with current EMS practice in BC. The instructors brought their practical experience as paramedics into the classroom, ensuring we were job ready and well prepared for the EMALB licensing exams.

I passed my licensing exams on the first try, and was subsequently hired on as a paramedic with BCEHS.  I love my job!”

Shawn – Paramedic

 

“For the last 10 years Priority Care First Aid has taught emergency medical courses for our SAR team that meet and exceed the requirements set for Search & Rescue personnel by the BC government, and when required by the EMA Licensing Branch.

The instructor is a gifted teacher who brings his many years of experience as a paramedic into the classroom and who delivers content in a fun and very relatable way. Our members return from his courses with new found knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm, and a deep appreciation of their role in patient care.

On top of that, Priority Care has been extremely supportive of our team. First Aid is a key skill for all SAR members and we are lucky to receive training that adds great value to our organization and to our community.”

Erica
Training Officer
Search and Rescue Team

 

“I want to commend you and your team of Instructors for the outstanding courses I attended at Priority Care.  As a former Paramedic returning to the practice of Paramedicine part time, coupled with being a volunteer firefighter and first responder, I attended both the First Responder and Emergency Medical Responder programs put on by Priority Care and I am completely satisfied with the training and hands on experience that I have received (it prepared me very well for the EMALB licensing exams).

The Priority Care team bring decades of real life experience into the classroom, relating course content to real world emergency situations, which further aids in bridging course content to actual events where one may find themselves assisting the injured or ill. As a Deputy Chief of the local fire department in the Fraser Valley Regional District, I was so impressed that I have arranged to have the fire department firefighters and first responders attend a First Responder program with Priority Care.

I highly recommend the team at Priority Care.”

Ken
Fire Department Deputy Chief
BCEHS Paramedic

 

“I have been a member of Search and Rescue for over 20 years, and have taken first aid courses since my teens. There is something special about learning and training with Priority Care.

The instructor is effortlessly able to keep you engaged throughout the program with his charisma, stories and experience. Even with the most extreme scenarios we throw at him, his answers are clear, calm, and thoughtful… giving you confidence that you can respond correctly. This wisdom is then bolstered in the practical exercises securing your technical proficiency.

The instructor creates a memorable and dynamic learning environment. You leave his skilled training knowing that when you are called upon to help someone you can deliver quality accurate care.”

Carla
SAR Team Member

 

“Priority Care attended our office in December, 2019.

The instructor provided exceptional service to 6 of us who took his First Aid Instructor Course.
Their personality, professionalism, limitless knowledge and teaching skills were at the forefront of a perfect week of learning.

Thank you for your support before, during and after the course.”

Jason
RCMP Training Section