Online "Virtual" CPR and First Aid Training

#1 · November 6, 2023, 5:25 pm

Quote from NIFATADMIN on November 6, 2023, 5:25 pm
Last week we received a question regarding training that is delivered and assessed completely online via Zoom or other virtual platforms.

The question was as follows;

Now that reasonable adjustments in place during the pandemic have been removed, should virtual training (training delivered and assessed completely online) be discontinued?

The simple answer is no. Like any training, RTOs can deliver and assess students in a variety of ways.

Virtual training and assessment of CPR and first aid does have its challenges and RTOs must ensure they are meeting the assessment conditions of the UOC.

The First Aid Companion Volume and Implementation Guide has the following advice regarding virtual training and assessment.

Online or Virtual Assessment Advice for RTOs

Recently, with the development of technology and the transmission of communicable diseases such as noted during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly common for training and assessment to be delivered online or in a virtual environment. In the case of first aid training and assessment, this presents issues for the candidates demonstrating all the required performance evidence, and also poses resourcing issues for RTOs.

The First Aid IRC has provided some guidance for RTOs who need to perform assessments online or in a virtual environment, specifically highlighting the minimum number of resources required to ensure Validity, Fairness, Reliability and Flexibility.

RTOs need to acknowledge that Units provide a benchmark for competency. There cannot be one standard for face-to-face and one for online or virtual assessment. If the assessment conditions or resources are not suitable for assessment activities in a face-to-face classroom, they would not be suitable for online or virtual situations.

Those RTOs that conduct assessment online or virtually must ensure candidates are provided with all the relevant assessment resources and conditions that would be available in a face-to-face assessment.

The following are minimum additional resources that should sent to the student prior to assessment to ensure compliance with the Unit’s assessment requirements if assessed online or in a virtual environment:

For RTOs who are assessing HLTAID009:

An adult CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions)

An infant CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions)

Any face shields, masks or other consumables required for use on the CPR manikin

An AED trainer that includes audible instructions and simulated analysis and shock through adhesive pads.

Note:

In addition, another person will be required to act as a casualty

Any AED trainer that does not simulate a live unit would not be suitable for this performance evidence (such as a cardboard dummy unit or laminated picture).

For RTOs who are offering HLTAID011 and HLTAID012:

An adult CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions)

An infant CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions)

A child CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions) HLTAID012 only

Any face shields, masks or other consumables required for use on the CPR manikin

An AED trainer that includes audible instructions and simulated analysis and shock through adhesive pads.

Adrenaline auto-injector (current training version of the real device)

Placebo asthma puffer and spacer

Range of dressings and bandages including compression bandages, triangular bandages, and items to clean and dress minor wounds (for example, wound wipes, saline, swabs, non-adherent dressings, etc)

Personal protective equipment

Blanket (such as an emergency blanket)

Incident report form.

Note:

In addition, another person will be required to act as a casualty

Any AED trainer that does not simulate a live unit would not be suitable for this performance evidence (such as a cardboard dummy unit or laminated picture).

A full version of the guide can be located here

Feel free to share any experiences you have delivering and assessing courses virtually.

Last week we received a question regarding training that is delivered and assessed completely online via Zoom or other virtual platforms.

The question was as follows;

Now that reasonable adjustments in place during the pandemic have been removed, should virtual training (training delivered and assessed completely online) be discontinued?

The simple answer is no. Like any training, RTOs can deliver and assess students in a variety of ways.

Virtual training and assessment of CPR and first aid does have its challenges and RTOs must ensure they are meeting the assessment conditions of the UOC.

The First Aid Companion Volume and Implementation Guide has the following advice regarding virtual training and assessment.

Online or Virtual Assessment Advice for RTOs

Recently, with the development of technology and the transmission of communicable diseases such as noted during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly common for training and assessment to be delivered online or in a virtual environment. In the case of first aid training and assessment, this presents issues for the candidates demonstrating all the required performance evidence, and also poses resourcing issues for RTOs.

The First Aid IRC has provided some guidance for RTOs who need to perform assessments online or in a virtual environment, specifically highlighting the minimum number of resources required to ensure Validity, Fairness, Reliability and Flexibility.

RTOs need to acknowledge that Units provide a benchmark for competency. There cannot be one standard for face-to-face and one for online or virtual assessment. If the assessment conditions or resources are not suitable for assessment activities in a face-to-face classroom, they would not be suitable for online or virtual situations.

Those RTOs that conduct assessment online or virtually must ensure candidates are provided with all the relevant assessment resources and conditions that would be available in a face-to-face assessment.

The following are minimum additional resources that should sent to the student prior to assessment to ensure compliance with the Unit’s assessment requirements if assessed online or in a virtual environment:

For RTOs who are assessing HLTAID009:

An adult CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions)
An infant CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions)
Any face shields, masks or other consumables required for use on the CPR manikin
An AED trainer that includes audible instructions and simulated analysis and shock through adhesive pads.

Note:

In addition, another person will be required to act as a casualty
Any AED trainer that does not simulate a live unit would not be suitable for this performance evidence (such as a cardboard dummy unit or laminated picture).

For RTOs who are offering HLTAID011 and HLTAID012:

An adult CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions)
An infant CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions)
A child CPR manikin following ARC guidelines for the purpose of assessment of CPR procedures (capable of accurately facilitating ventilation and compressions) HLTAID012 only
Any face shields, masks or other consumables required for use on the CPR manikin
An AED trainer that includes audible instructions and simulated analysis and shock through adhesive pads.
Adrenaline auto-injector (current training version of the real device)
Placebo asthma puffer and spacer
Range of dressings and bandages including compression bandages, triangular bandages, and items to clean and dress minor wounds (for example, wound wipes, saline, swabs, non-adherent dressings, etc)
Personal protective equipment
Blanket (such as an emergency blanket)
Incident report form.

Note:

In addition, another person will be required to act as a casualty
Any AED trainer that does not simulate a live unit would not be suitable for this performance evidence (such as a cardboard dummy unit or laminated picture).

A full version of the guide can be located here

Feel free to share any experiences you have delivering and assessing courses virtually.