Pocket Mask Requirements: First Aid Program Standards in 2021
/Important changes to program standards
In the interest of public health during COVID-19 and beyond, please be advised the Canadian Red Cross program standards have been updated with respect to pocket masks in Red Cross First Aid training. All participants attending classroom training are required to have their own pocket resuscitation mask with single-use one-way valve.
Pocket masks must be new (if provided by the Training Partner) or previously owned by the participant only. While pocket masks are already used in training, they are typically decontaminated and reused along with a new one-way valve.
Purchase here: Pocket Mask
With this revised standard, the practice of decontaminating pocket resuscitation masks will be discontinued as masks may not be reused.
To ensure the safety of all students, course participants can bring their own pocket mask with a one-way valve, or they may opt to purchase one as an add-on item prior to class. Masks can be shipped to your home, or picked up on class day.
This new standard begins on March 31, 2021. Delta Emergency will adopt this new standard today, December 17, 2020. All courses that require mask ventilation training will be required to add a pocket mask at time of course purchase. If you choose not to buy a mask and do not have one on class day, you will be required to purchase one from your trainer in person before training can commence. If you refuse to purchase a mask in class, your participation will be marked as incomplete. We appreciate your understanding of this transition and we believe this will greatly reduce the risk of disease transmission for course participants.
Resources
Our COVID-19 protocols for classroom training have been revised to reflect this change. The courses this training will affect are:
Emergency First Aid
Standard First Aid
CPR A, CPR C, BLS, AED
Oxygen Therapy
Airway Management
Advanced First Aid
Please contact the Canadian Red Cross at 1-877-356-3226 with any questions regarding this new training standard.
As always, the health and safety of our partners, Instructors, and course participants is our first priority. Thank you for your support in ensuring a safe training environment.