This month we have a question from a First Aid instructor about changes in recommended practice
TWOSOPHIES Keeping up-to-date
This month we have a question from a First Aid instructor about changes in recommended practice
THE QUESTION:
With the changes to First Aid guidelines, what does BSAC do to inform their instructors and make sure that they are up to date? Roger Clark
Sophie Heptonstall answers
Thank you for raising this important point regarding first aid training and alignment with the latest guidance from the Resuscitation Council.
BSAC takes the accuracy and currency of its training very seriously. Our guidance is informed by the UK Diving Medical Committee( UKDMC), which reviews Resuscitation Council guidance from a diving medical perspective to ensure it is appropriate for the diving environment. However, there are times where BSAC guidance does not directly mirror Resuscitation Council guidance where we choose to vary our training to more appropriately reflect the environment we dive and consequently operate in.
When updates to First Aid guidelines are issued, we communicate these directly to instructors and instructor trainers through formal safety bulletins. Where immediate changes are required, addendums are issued to ensure instructors have the most up-to-date information while core materials are being revised.
In addition, BSAC publishes safety blogs and articles to highlight key updates and reinforce good practice. All training materials, including Visual Aids and Instructor Manuals, contain an audit log clearly identifying what has changed and when, allowing instructors to track updates easily.
We also place responsibility on instructors to maintain their own competence. All instructors are asked to regularly refresh their skills, and BSAC AED Instructors are required to complete an annual refresher in order to continue teaching.
To support this, BSAC strongly encourages the use of its online materials, which always contain the latest approved guidance. Ensuring these resources are used helps maintain consistency and accuracy across all training delivery and has ensured the latest guidance and materials are accessible to all BSAC members promptly.
That said, it is important not to generalise. There is a great deal of high-quality instruction taking place across BSAC. Where outdated practices are observed, we would encourage
constructive engagement with the instructor involved, ensuring they are aware of and accessing the most current information.
Sophie Rennie adds
If someone observes another instructor teaching content that is not current or up to date, please feel comfortable intervening in a supportive and constructive way. Offering some corrective teaching helps ensure students receive accurate learning and also supports instructors in staying up to date. �
Do you have a question about dive training, kit or safety for the Two Sophies to answer? Email SCUBA Editor Simon Rogerson, simon @ scubamagazine. co. uk
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