Newsletters > Q&A: You've got questions, we've got answers!
• Do real life stories help when teaching classes?
• AED Only
• Students falling asleep
• Instructor our of uniform
• Working with new instructors
• How do you handle those that have taken CPR online?
• How do you feel about the new guidelines?
• Good Samaritan Act – You're always covered, right?
• I helped teach an EMT class and went over CPR, the instructor missed out on so much!
• Have classes started slowing down as December approached, but the same time last year was good?
• I'm looking for a unique way to teach CPR to family and friends
• Can you just give me a card?
• Is it a good idea to explain to professional rescuers that 'lay person' CPR is slightly different?
• How can I bill for students that don't show up?
Do real life stories help when teaching classes?
I've had instructors get down and dirty with real life stories 'from the street'. By the look on some of the student's faces, a little graphic at times. Is it a good idea to show off?
It's not necessarily showing off. We've found that real life stories - if presented well - add a great deal of authenticity to the instruction and students end up learning more. The class is much more interesting.
We've also learned that it does help students know that their instructor has done rescue breathing and compressions and can answer their questions - not from a text book, but from experience.
^Back to top
AED Only
I was asked to teach an AED only class. I said they'd have to learn CPR as well and they went elsewhere. Should I have taught it even though it goes against my professional opinion?
How can you teach proper AED use without CPR training? Even an AED says, 'If necessary, continue CPR'. We've run into that ourselves and decided that without a current CPR certification, an AED only class would not be held. So what we offer instead? Free CPR/AED training on any AED purchase, for up to 6 students.
^Back to top
Students falling asleep
What do you do if a student falls asleep in class?
First of all, you may want to evaluate your teaching style and make it more interactive. However, we have all been there ourselves - a late night up with kids, medications causing drowsiness or numerous other reasons why we feel like nodding off.
If you notice a student starting to doze off, quickly go into an exercise or practice situation which involves getting up and walking around or, take a break allowing the individual to get some fresh air, caffeine, or cold water.
Don't take it personally, it happens - but it does need to be addressed and not ignored.
^Back to top
Instructor out of uniform
How do you handle instructors who don't follow your "dress code"?
First of all, we recommend that you do have a written "dress code" for your instructors and any other employees who represent your company to the public. It would be great if everyone were to where shirts with your logo or that of ECSI - however, we realize that may not be feasible.
What we do recommend is that you establish a color combination (ie - khaki bottoms with a navy blue top) or a list of do nots (ie - no jeans, tank tops or pants or tops that allow midriffs to show). Remember, CPR training is a "down on your knees" type of training and does not allow for high heals, low cut tops or low rise pants to provide a professional image.
Now that you have a dress code, make sure each employee or instructor has a copy and has signed acknowledgment thereof. Be prepared to let them know that if they fail to comply, they will not be able to represent your company.
Also remember that a unique training situation - outside on a farm, etc. may require temporary adjustments to your dress code.
^Back to top
Working with new instructors
We each have our own, unique way of teaching. So when you're working with a new instructor, it's best to go over your techniques before class starts. Maybe they just want to observe the first time to pick up on how you do things. Of course, there's no reason they can't help observe students during the practicals.
But what about new instructors that interrupt your class with tidbits of information that end up more fiction than fact? Prevent a catastrophe by talking to them beforehand. Let them know what you expect and if they want to add something, talk to you first.
^Back to top
How do you handle those that have taken CPR online?
Students that take an online course still have to take a practical. If you've been doing this long enough, you know it's difficult to learn proper technique from a website.
You can test these folks and not offer advice, heck, you're not getting paid to teach them, right? Or do you take the time to show them the right way to do things?
That's up to you. Of course, you can offer different price structures: one charge if they know what they're doing and a higher cost if they want you to give them some instructions. Remember, we're professionals and deserve to be paid for our services. But don't forget, we're also in the business to help teach people CPR, not just get them through a class
^Back to top
How do you feel about the new guidelines?
If that doesn't open up a can of worms. For those in EMS for many, many years, the general consensus has not been favorable.
Change can be hard, but it can also be very good. It will take time to embrace the new guidelines, but maybe the best thing to come out of this is compression only CPR. 911 dispatchers will be able to instruct lay people to perform this version of CPR. And with no mouth-to-mouth, let's hope more folks will get involved.
^Back to top
You're always protected from a lawsuit through the Good Samaritan Act, right?
NO! But from our understanding, there has never been a successful lawsuit - though many have been attempted. It's important you have a good understanding of the act as well as familiarity with your local laws and customs.
Remember, you are allowed to do up to the level of your training and no more and provide that skill the best way you know how. It's important to stress when teaching, because we hope 'non-professionals' will get involved since there may be less hesitation to act due to this law.
^Back to top
I helped teach an EMT class last night and when I went over CPR, I realized their instructor missed out on so much!
Even if you don't know who the instructor was, remember it's always best to teach the right methods and not question the previous instructor's teaching abilities. Come across to your students as a professional and not a whiner.
Remember, EMT students need to be taught by the book to pass their practicals. Teaching what you do on the street won't help them and is not always an acceptable form of training or practice.
^Back to top
Have classes started slowing down as December approached, but the same time last year was good?
With all the media attention about the new standards (and all the rumors) it's true that classes may have fallen short of last year's projections as prospective students wonder:
- If the new guidelines are coming out in January, why learn the old ones?
- Once the new guidelines come out, will their current certification be valid. (Did you send out notices to all your current students explaining that their certifications are still valid?)
- For some, classes may have picked up in the earlier part of the last quarter, and you may have felt you could save money by cutting back on your marketing campaigns.
Now's the time to market (or just after the first of the year) to push the new guidelines, let folks know to follow through on their New Years resolutions and offer to host a CPR party to get rid of the post holiday blues!
^Back to top
I'm looking for a unique way to teach CPR to family and friends.
How about a CPR/Pizza party? That's right and it can be a lot of fun for everyone!
Invite your family and friends to learn CPR. Be serious about teaching the skills. Offer light refreshments and snacks during quick breaks. Just time the pizza delivery so it arrives as the last student finishes.
It works! And those attending may just host your next CPR/Pizza party!!!
As for the additional cost of the pizza and refreshments? Since they're family and friends, offer them a discount from your usual class price, but make sure you cover the added expenses. It's a bit of marketing...
And just one more note, if you plan on serving "adult" beverages, save them for after the class is finished.
^Back to top
Can you just give me a card?
How many times have you been asked that? How many times do you hear: "Look, my friend John just gave me a card last time...you know me...I can do CPR"
The answer is NO! You just can't give someone a card without having them go through training and testing if required. Even on recerts. It's your training center, your certificate to teach...is it worth losing?
Think about it, if the last time they needed a recert and their buddy just 'gave them a card', when's the last time they really went through the latest and newest skills? We've all seen so called professionals do CPR 'on the street' and do it wrong.
^Back to top
Is it a good idea to explain to professional rescuers that 'lay person' CPR is slightly different?
From our experience, it's a very good idea. They should know that for the lay person:
- There is no pulse check. This way, the professional rescuer won't think the lay person doesn't know what they're doing.
- That two-person CPR is one person doing everything, then the other person does everything. This comes in to play when EMS arrives on scene and asks them to continue with CPR. Confusion starts when they are told only to do compressions or just breaths - they've never learned that.
- Also remember, they may never have seen a BVM!
It's also a good idea to teach the reverse and explain to the lay person that professional rescuers may have learned CPR differently than theirs and not to worry, just do as instructed. And, that any professional crew may ask them to continue to help while they get all their equipment ready, so don't just back away once the help arrives!
^Back to top
How can I bill for students that don't show up?
Does this sound familiar? You schedule a class and may have to bring extra equipment and hire additional instructors, only to find that half the class that signed up, doesn't show. You still have to cover your costs as well as pay for additional instructors. Now your client only wants to pay for those that took the class! What can you do?
You have a contract, right? Here are some items to be considered when developing your Client Agreement [and preparing to do business].
- Be certain you state the client's legal name in your agreement, and include their "DBA" if it is in common usage. The "Doing Business As" is the name the company is known by locally.
- Get a full mailing address - not just a PO box! If you need to send them a registered letter at a later date, a PO box won't work! You might also want to get a location if they are situated in an unusual setting.
- Make it very clear what courses will be taught and what people are to receive. Will they get an instruction manual? A disc? Some instructors put together a First Aid Training Pack. What exactly will you supply?
- State your costs and payment policy. Is there just a per student fee? Is there one fee for a group? Will the client need to pay mannequin rental fees? Be very clear regarding all the costs and the total bill to be paid. Will you require pre-payment? Do you accept credit cards? Do they need to pay for persons who do not pass the course?
- What is your cancellation policy? Must clients give you a final student count prior to class? How do you notify them of a change in your schedule? Try to get phone numbers and email addresses of a primary and secondary contact.
- How do you handle weather emergencies?
- Be sure the person signing the Agreement has the authority to do so!
- Do you have requirements at the client site? TV, DVD, tables for writing, space for practice? Is a pre-class site visit needed? Is the area safe? Will you need to clear security before entering? Will equipment need to be inspected?
- Do you have a policy and procedure for handling client complaints?
- What are you doing to ensure your instructors are knowledgeable professionals who know how to teach a class? Are you checking credentials? Do you have insurance? Do you have an observation program?
As you can see, this is just a sampling of what you may want to consider while putting together a contract.
^Back to top
| 
