Texas CPR Policies and Procedures

Instructor Primary Responsibilities

• Perform their duties in a manner consistent with AHA mission and guidelines
• Use the most current AHA ECC training materials in its courses. Teach in accordance with the most recent AHA curriculum and administrative policies and procedures as described in your Instructor’s Manual.
• Promptly comply with quality assurance investigations or actions recommended by Texas CPR Training per AHA.
• Ensure that each course participant is given the appropriate course textbook.
• Use the appropriate tool kit (video/DVD) to ensure that video based training is performed in each class with most class time spent on manikin practice.
• Submit to Texas CPR at the completion of each class a completed course roster (printed legibly).
• Maintain current membership as an AHA authorized Instructor while actively teaching AHA programs. Reauthorization requires teaching at least 2 AHA CPR courses a year, and being monitored while teaching an additional CPR course.
• Ensure that course cards and written examination are kept secure
• Provide the appropriate course card to every student
• Provide the appropriate equipment in every course
• Follow all AHA ratio guidelines (1 Instructor to 6 students)
• Remediate students
• Have each student fill out a “Course evaluation”
• Fill out a “Skills Performance Check Sheet” on every student
• Complete a course roster in each class
• Complete and submit paperwork to Texas CPR at the completion of each class
• Use of required equipment for each course (See Instructor’s Manual for a list).
• Log into the Instructor Network monthly for updates
• Have a firm working knowledge of the current course materials, which is maintained by teaching on a regular basis.
• Remain current with the latest information on AHA courses, science guidelines, policies and procedures (www.ahainstructornetwork.org)
• Maintain the following course records for American Heart Association for 3 years:
• Completed course rosters
• Any and all documentation related to problem resolution (attach to roster)
• Student written examination answer sheets (attach to roster)
• Evidence of use of the AHA disclaimer for courses in which fees are charged
• Student skills performance sheets signed by the instructor (attach to roster)
• Student Course Evaluation (attach to roster)

Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct

As an instructor (not an employee) of Texas CPR Training, whether paid for or volunteer services, will uphold and maintain the highest possible standards of professional and ethical behavior in all emergency care training as a representative of American Heart Association.

Specific principles and tenets that instructors pledge to follow and support are:

• Teach only First Aid, CPR and AED curricula that meet the national or international standards or guidelines that have been approved, accepted, recognized or endorsed by The American Heart Association.
• Be accurate and conscientious in the presentation of all curricula you use and to follow generally accepted principles of education and training.
• Convey all required information and conduct all necessary practical skills sessions in the time frames determined appropriate and prescribed in the selected curricula.
• Maintain established instructor-to-student and student-to-manikin/equipment ratios during all practical skill sessions.
• Truthfully portray your credentials and personal expertise.
• Devote the necessary time and effort to creating an appropriate learning environment, including preparing necessary printed materials, audio-visual aids and practice material/equipment prior to each class conducted.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor during each class taught.
• Be informed of, and comply with, all relevant/applicable state, federal and/or local statutes, regulations, or policies concerning emergency care preparedness and training.
• Encourage students to maintain their knowledge and skills through regular retraining sessions.
• Issue cards only to those individuals who have attended and successfully completed all program requirements.
• Respect the  individual and diverse abilities, backgrounds, and needs of all students.
• Adhere to fair and honest business practices and demonstrate personal and professional integrity in all transactions with clients, colleagues, manufacturers, and competitors.
• To the best of my ability to help all students develop the reasonable and appropriate knowledge, skills and confidence needed to respond to sudden illness and injury events.

By seeking and accepting affiliation with Texas CPR Training as an instructor (not an employee) it is understood that the  instructor agrees to adhere to this Code of Professional Conduct.

Instructor Administrative

Quality must be built in to each Instructor. Each Instructor must be able to demonstrate useful and reasonably effective administrative policies and procedures that address, at a minimum, certification card and final examination security, student and instructor quality assurance, equipment maintenance and decontamination, teaching competence and professional conduct. These policies and procedures should be available for inspection upon request.

Administrative steps

• Teach the class – make sure that everyone signs in, and completes all information on the roster legibly and accurately.
• Mail copies of rosters and course evaluations to Texas CPR at 3301 S Country Club Road, Garland, Texas, 75043 by the end of each week along with copies of receipts showing the purchase of CPR books. If a roster is received more than 30 days from class date you will be charged $5.00 per roster late.
• Keep a file with the appropriate course documents (rosters, course evaluations, skills check-offs) on file for three (3) years.

Course Rosters

It is mandatory that Instructors use the Texas CPR roster when teaching a class.  Please make as many copies as you need.  We will not accept or issue cards on any other roster.  If you have more than 8 students use an additional roster and mark 1 of 2, 2 of 2 on each page.  (The ratio is 1 instructor to 9 students).  If you have more than 9 students in a class, you must use another certified American Heart Instructor and send a copy of their current certification along with your roster to Texas CPR.

Each class is required to have its own roster.  One roster may not have several different course dates listed on it.

Completed course roster reflecting the company’s name, companies address, contact name, contact’s telephone, participant’s names, course date, time, location and type of program, Instructor’s name and Instructor’s ID.  All portions of the roster must be completed and attention to detail is important in the areas of accuracy, legibility, and completeness.

Any paperwork turned in that is in violation of any rule, guideline or agreement will trigger a letter to be sent to the instructor, stating the violation and warning them to comply during all future classes.  Any repeated violation will trigger monitoring.  Any additional repeated violation can cause Texas CPR to withdraw as their Training Center.

In an effort to seek continued Quality Assurance, Texas CPR will randomly contact participants in your classes via email or telephone.  Texas CPR will contact the instructor if there are any deficiencies to discuss immediately.  This is not being done to micro manage instructors, but rather to ensure your continued success as an instructor.

Copies of rosters and course evaluations must be emailed to texascprtraining@yahoo.com  within 30 days.  If a roster/s is received 30 days late from postage date the instructor will incur a fee of $5.00 per roster.

Components of Quality Assurance

*    Use current AHA examinations in all completion courses

• Give each student the appropriate textbook to use before, during and after the class.
• Ensure that AHA core content is taught in every course using AHA DVDs with most class time spent on manikin practice.
• Ensure that CPR cards and written exams are kept secure
• Provide the appropriate course card to every student
• Provide the appropriate equipment in every course
• Follow all AHA ratio guidelines (Instructor to student ratio 1:6)
• Have each student fill out a  “Course evaluation”
• Fill out a “Skills Performance Check Sheet on every student

Written Examinations

• The most current examinations are the only examinations used to determine successful course completion.  Use of any other written examination to determine a student’s completion of an AHA ECC course will jeopardize the TC Agreement.

Use of Materials

All students must have the current appropriate AHA course textbook for their individual use before, during and after the course.  Students are expected to review the textbook before class and to have immediate access to their own copy afterward as a reference and review tool.  Textbooks are designed for individual use and are an integral part of the student’s education.  The only exception to this policy is the student who is a healthcare professional who will have access to the textbook for individual study reference before, during and after the course at his/her facility(ies).  A library/archive for healthcare professionals is acceptable but does not meet the requirements for lay programs.  (SEE TRAINING MEMO – ECC Training Center Employee Library Policy dated (July 2012).

Instructor Renewal Criteria

Instructors may renew their status in one of the following ways:

1. Meet all of the following criteria:
2. Maintain current Provider status as evidenced by current Provider card.
3. Teach a minimum of four courses in two years. Each day of skills testing sessions for eLearning courses counts as 1 of the required 4 courses; all 4 credits can be earned this way.
4. Attend updates as required within the previous two years.
5. Present documentation of successful teaching ability.
6. BLS Instructors shall successfully complete the current BLS exam not missing more than 4 questions.

Texas CPR does not charge an annual alignment fee or 2 year Instructor fee.

Instructor Status Revocation

Texas CPR Training, LLC holds the right to revoke the privileges of any Instructor, Lead Instructor, Course Coordinator, Training Center Faculty and Training Sites if any of the following develop:

• Non-adherence to AHA guidelines and curricula
• Falsification of AHA or TC documentation (i.e. illegal issuance of cards)
• Inappropriate or unprofessional behavior (activities, language, harassment or conduct during courses or directed toward other Instructors, students, ECC staff or volunteers)
• Two poor evaluation ratings in a two-year period
• Continued instruction inconsistent with AHA standards after remediation by the TC, ECC staff or RF
• Using non-AHA examinations
• Lapse of recognition period
• Not following AHA student book guidelines
• Failure to meet the qualifications for renewing

Management of Instructor Communications and Updates

Texas CPR will maintain a current list of Instructors, addresses, and telephone number, email addresses and other information necessary.  Texas CPR will utilize three different methods as a primary means of contacting and notifying Instructors of changes and or updates: 1) email 2) mail 3) telephone.  It is important to notify Texas CPR immediately should any of your contact information change.

Insurance Requirements

Texas CPR will maintain the required AHA Insurance in order to protect Texas CPR and its valuable resources.  Instructors are encouraged to obtain and maintain insurance.  Texas CPR will provide each instructor with information on how to obtain insurance.

Minimizing the Risk of Disease Transmission

There have been no documented cases where the use of CPR training manikins has been responsible for the transmission of bacterial, fungal or viral diseases. To continue to protect the health and safety of students and Instructors and prevent the spread of infectious disease, AHA Instructors must:

• Follow all manufacturers’ recommendations regarding decontamination and sanitary practice supplied by the manufacturer of the manikins used during training.
• Provide participants with sanitary personal protective equipment, including but not limited to face shields, masks and gloves.
• Advice students not to participate in an AHA program if their hands, mouth or lips have uncovered open wounds or sores or they may have been exposed to or are in the active stage of an infectious disease.
• Clean their hands often with soap and water and encourage their students to do the same. Improved compliance to hand hygiene has been shown to terminate outbreaks of infectious illness and reduce transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms. In addition to traditional hand washing with soap and water, have available alcohol-based hand rubs in all AHA programs and be used by all Instructors and students during training. For more information regarding the importance of improved hand hygiene, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines at http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/.
• Take any and all other reasonable precautions to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

Preventing Injury

Injuries as a result of participating in classroom activities are very rare, but do occur. To protect the health and safety of students and Instructors and to prevent injury, AHA Instructors should:

• Make sure there are no obvious hazards in the classroom, such as extension cords, that present a tripping hazard.
• Know and share:
  * The location of nearest telephone to the classroom.
  * Where the fire/emergency exits, fire alarm pull stations and best emergency evacuation route from the classroom are.
  * First aid kit closest to the classroom.
  * The AED closest to the classroom
  * Fire extinguisher closest to the classroom.
  * Any occupationally-specific emergency plan in case of serious injury or illness.
• Discourage students from smoking or eating during class.
• Take any and all other reasonable precautions to minimize the risk of injury as a result of participation in classroom activities.

Method of Presentation

AHA Instructors must:

• Demonstrate a practical, cooperative and caring attitude.
• Demonstrate a strong cognitive grasp of the content and be able to proficiently demonstrate all skills taught in the program.
• Know the audience and adapt to the experience and ability of the students.
• Ensure a positive, safe (physically and psychologically non-threatening) and educationally-stimulating learning environment classroom.
• Monitor the ease with which students perform skills and give suggestions to make the procedure easier.
• Continually point out student strengths and praise their efforts to succeed.
• Seek a reasonable standard of skill performance.
• Be completely familiar with program materials before teaching the program.

Texas CPR Sub-Contractor Program

Texas CPR accepts individual instructors as sub-contractors.  Texas CPR Training supports the sub-contractor with rosters, books, and course completion cards and equipment.

Sub-contractor Instructors are required to fill out a Sub-contractor agreement and application.  This agreement states that your willingness to strictly adhere to all guidelines, rules, and standards, written or verbal from the AHA and Texas CPR.  The Sub-contract Instructor agreement and application run concurrent with your AHA credentials.

As a sub-contractor you understand that you are not an employee of Texas CPR Training or Jennifer Khonsari.

If you teach any classes for Texas CPR Training or Jennifer Khonsari, you would be considered a

Subcontractor, and are therefore responsible for all associated taxes against any income received from Texas

CPR Training or Jennifer Khonsari. If you earn more than $600 from Texas CPR in any physical year you will

receive a 1099 at the end of the year.  Please notify us of your current mailing address by December 31^st.

Instructors Dress Code

The instructor’s clothing should mirror that of the group, or dress just a step above the group they are teaching.    It is acceptable to wear healthcare uniforms such as scrubs and a lab coat.  However, the American Heart Association has shirts available through all the vendors that look professional along with a pair of slacks.

Never wear short-shorts, low cut tops, or clothing that could be considered revealing, as it decreases your credibility and people will not take you seriously.  An exception might be if teaching a group of lifeguards out beside a pool and they are all wearing bathing suits.  In this case shorts or clothing appropriate to the training situation would be acceptable.

Certification Cards

Texas CPR does not charge an annual Training Center alignment fee or 2 year Instructor fee.  Our CPR cards are slightly higher than other TCs because there are no other additional costs.  The cost per card is $7.00 plus shipping.  Texas CPR will issue all Instructors a bank of cards as needed to perform upcoming classes.  Each card is tracked against the rosters.  This bank enables Instructors to have cards available at the time of course completion.  Any additional cards will be issued only when completed rosters are turned in along with a copy of receipts for CPR books purchased.  Upon receipt of rosters and book receipts, you will be allowed to pick up another bank of cards or have them mailed.

If you want them mailed you will be required to pay via credit card.  There is a 3% credit card convenience fee.  We accept credit cards, money orders, cash or business checks.  NO PERSONAL CHECKS. There will be an additional overnight fee incurred should you choose this option also.

To order CPR cards send an email to texascprtraining@yahoo.com with the Credit Card order form you received at your instructor training. You must also send a copy of receipt for books at the same time as the card order.

AHA is now offering instructors the opportunity to purchase either paper CPR cards or electronic Ecards.  Instructors will receive them only through the email provided on the Instructor Network at www.ahainstructornetwork.org.  The fee is the same as paper cards.  You will order Ecards the same way you do paper cards by sending a copy of the CPR Card Order Form to texascprtraining@yahoo.com along with your receipt for books.

Refer to the Users Guide for questions regarding Ecards at http://ahainstructornetwork.americanheart.org/idc/groups/ahaecc-public/@wcm/@ecc/documents/downloadable/ucm_468461.pdf

Skills Verification

Scenario-based skill evaluation sheets must be used for verifying skills.  These evaluations can be found in your Instructor’s Manual. Students are required to demonstrate adequate skills ability.

Skills testing should be used primarily to provide corrective feedback to the student during practice. Students should be able to demonstrate proficiency in skills without continuous assistance by the instructor during the actual Skills Check off

Remediation

Occasionally some learners may perform less than adequate or fall short of the necessary objectives to receive a successful completion card. They should be offered remediation opportunities. Professionalism, patience and positive coaching in a relaxed environment of mutual respect should assist students in reaching their goal of successful completion.  DO NOT CERTIFY ANYONE WHO HAS NOT EARNED IT!

Referral Fees

If you have a group or organization wanting training and you cannot provide it, Texas CPR pays referrals fees on training.  You must call Texas CPR, state that you are referring a group for commission, give the contact names and telephone numbers.  Texas CPR will attempt to contact the client.  If Texas CPR is successful in performing the classes, once full payment is received a 10% commission will be paid to the referring instructor.

No commission payments are paid on non-paying clients.

Keeping Up-to-date

Instructors who do not regularly teach CPR classes may have trouble relaying all information in a class.  Instructors are encouraged to call Texas CPR and participate in public classes to keep up their skills.  Texas CPR does not pay instructors who monitor classes, only those that are scheduled to teach as a sub-contractor for Texas CPR Training or Jennifer Khonsari.

An additional service, for ECC Instructors and Training Centers, is the AHA Instructor Network.  It is found at (http://www.ahainstructornetwork.org).  The Network is a free online “one-stop shop” for access to TC and Instructor information, benefits, networking opportunities, and more.  You can access the latest news in ECC science, guidelines, training, materials and best practices as well as Instructor information by discipline.  You can access audio and video Web casts and other educational opportunities and download marketing materials and tools.  When you register it will ask you which Training Center you are aligned with.  You must select Texas CPR – Garland, Texas or you will not be approved.

AHA Instructor Audits

Texas CPR Training is responsible for providing effective oversight, not micromanagement, of its Instructors. Instructors record audits are conducted as necessary and typically in response to very serious complaints. Should Texas CPR Training, in its sole discretion, determine that an audit is required; the Training Center Director will be notified.

Texas CPR Training may also anonymously audit courses conducted by Instructors. Undisclosed audits are sometimes necessary to verify allegations of very serious violations of Membership Agreements, or to substantiate reports of dishonest, unethical, illegal or unprofessional conduct. Undisclosed audits may also be performed randomly as part of AHA/Texas CPR Training’s QA program.  Texas CPR Training will notify the Instructor of its findings and intended actions in writing promptly following the audit.

Copyrights/Copying AHA Materials

AHA textbooks, manuals, and other materials for ECC training are copyrighted the American Heart Association.  They may NOT be copied, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the AHA.  Permission to reprint, copy, or use portions of ECC textbooks or materials must be obtained in writing from the copyright specialist at the AHA National Center.

Problem Resolution Procedure

The following procedures will be used to resolve any complaints raised regarding the American Heart Association (AHA) courses, Instructors, Regional Faculty and/or Community Training Centers:

• Whenever possible, grievances should first be brought to the attention of the responsible Instructor, TC Coordinator, TCF, TS Coordinator, and should be resolved or corrected as appropriate. If the Instructor, TC Coordinator, TS Coordinator is unable or unwilling to resolve the problem, it should be forwarded to the Regional ECC office.
• Grievances may be submitted in writing by the complaining party:
  • A student who attended the course at which the problem arose
  • An Instructor, Course Director, TCF or TS with information regarding the problem
  • An AHA Volunteer or staff person with information regarding the problem
• Grievances may be submitted on issues regarding compliance with AA ECC administrative policies and procedures; course content, curriculum, and management; AHA ECC science issues, appropriateness of teaching techniques; or instructor qualifications.
• Resolution of the grievance may include one or more of the following:
  • Reprimand of letter of counseling, which includes a statement of the correct procedure/action
  • Agreement by the person/entity against which the complaint is made to take specific corrective action
  • A probationary period including monitoring of course(s)
  • Request for additional information
  • Revocation of Instructor or TCF status or termination of TS status
  • Dismissal of the grievance
• The grievance must be submitted in writing to the TC Coordinator. If, after diligent efforts the TC Coordinator is unable to affect a resolution, the TC will forward the dispute, complaint, or problem to the CC Customer Support Center within 30 calendar days after being made aware of the problem.
• Within ten (10) working days of receipt, the person submitting the grievance as well as the person(s) who is the subject of the grievance and the TC will be given an acknowledgment of the receipt of the grievance. The subject of the grievance will be invited to submit information regarding the matter in writing to the appropriate committee within 30 days of receipt.
• Following receipt of the grievance, the Regional ECC Review Committee will review the grievance and any additional information submitted.
  • The Review Committee will issue a decision regarding the matter within 60 days after notice to the parties that a Review Committee has been established
  • If the Review Committee decides to dismiss the grievance, they will issue a letter announcing their decision. The grievance may be appealed by sending an appeal in writing to the PROAD Committee within 10 days of receipt of the notification.
  • If the TCF and the TC Coordinator does not dismiss the grievance, they will:
    • Schedule a hearing, within thirty (30) days, inviting the affected parties to appear and provide information.
    • Issue their decision and inform them of their right to request a hearing and further consideration of the matter.
  • Any decision involving probation, monitoring or revocation of status may be appealed to the Subcommittee or ECC Program Administration whose decision shall be final.

Trademarks

The AHA’s stylized name and heart-and-torch logo are service marks of the American Heart Association Inc., and are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Only the AHA and its Regions/Affiliates may use these service marks.  These service marks symbolize the identity of the AHA and when placed on publications, materials, and other items serve to distinctly identify the materials as having originated from the AHA.

TCs may use the logo that includes the heart-and-torch logo provided their use of the logo meets the requirements outlines in the Authorized Provider Logo Guidelines.  The AHA stylized name and logo may appear only on training materials, including course completion and participation cards, and other ECC materials issued or authorized by the AHA.

The AHA stylized name and logo may not appear on advertising or announcements for courses conducted through AHA-designated TCs and their TSs unless specifically authorized by the AHA.

Advertising and announcements may not suggest or imply that the AHA sponsors, owns, or manages the TC and their TSs.

Instructors may not use their AHA instructor title on business cards or other advertising materials.

Inclusion of ECC leadership titles in correspondence, appearances, news media and other venues may only be done when the individual is acting on an assignment in his/her ECC leadership role that was issued to him/her by the AHA or one of its committees or subcommittees.

The use of the AHA letterhead or other used of the stylized heart-and-torch logo by ECC volunteers is permitted only when conducting assignments directly associated with the individual’s leadership responsibility and only with approval of appropriate AHA staff.  All correspondence issued on AHA letterhead must be reviewed by AHA staff before it is sent.

Disclaimer

The following disclaimer MUST be printed on all TC/TS promotional brochures, announcements, agenda, or other materials distributed to students in courses for which fees are charged:

The AHA strongly promotes knowledge and proficiency in BLS, ACLS, and PALS and has developed instructional materials for this purpose.  Use of these materials in an educational course does not represent course sponsorship by the AHA.  Any fees charged for such a course, except  for a portion of fees needed for AHA course materials, does not represent income to the Association.

AHA Statement of Conflict of Interest Policy

The American Heart Association, its affiliates and components, and all officers, directors, delegates, council and committee members scrupulously shall avoid any conflict between their own respective personal, professional, or business interests of the Association, in any and all actions taken by them on behalf of the Association in their respective capacities.

Standard

The standard of behavior is that all instructors shall scrupulously avoid any conflict of interest between the instructor’s personal, professional and business interests, and the interests of AHA.

That includes scrupulously avoiding actual conflicts of interest and, also, perceptions of conflicts of interest.

That includes avoiding actual unfair benefits and, also, opportunities for benefit or gain.

That includes avoiding conflicts, benefits, gains, or undue influence for the instructor’s personal or professional benefit and, also, for the benefit of the instructor’s family – whether or not in the household – employer, and close friends and business associates.

That includes avoiding a gain to the instructor and others and, also, a detriment or harm to AHA.

The instructor is to act for and in the best interests of AHA, independent and impartial from external or personal interests and considerations.

Respect for Others

All individuals in AHA ECC leadership roles are expected to conduct themselves with honesty, integrity, and a commitment to the goals of the AHA and the ECC program.

Instructors must respect and treat others fairly, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, disability, or any other basis protected by law.  Additionally, there is no tolerance for sexual solicitation, physical advances, or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is sexual in nature that is unwelcome, offensive, creates a hostile work or classroom environment.

Instructors must conduct themselves with honesty, fairness, and trustworthiness and must not make statements that are false, misleading, or deceptive.  Instructors must adhere to all applicable AHA rules and regulations governing the ECC programs and courses.

To help distribute ECC materials, the American Heart Association has joined with these companies that provide quality customer service and support

Laerdal Medical Corporation
167 Myers Corners Road
P.O. Box 1840
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590-8840
Phone: (888) LMC-4AHA
(888-562-4242)
Fax: (800) 227-1143 or
(914) 298-4545
E-mail: customerservice@laerdal.com
www.laerdal.com

WorldPoint
151 S. Pfingsten Rd. Suite E
Deerfield, IL 60015
Phone: (888) 322-8350
Fax: (888) 281-2627
www.worldpoint.com

Training Center: Texas CPR Training
Training Coordinator: Jennifer Khonsari

Safety for Participants and Instructors during CPR Training

Use of CPR manikins has never been shown to be responsible for an outbreak of infection.

Under certain circumstances manikin surfaces can present a very small risk of disease transmission.  Therefore, manikin surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected after each rescuer use and after each class.

Always, avoid any contact with any saliva or body fluids present on manikins.  The rescuers hands and oral mucosa can become contaminated if the rescuer touches a manikin that has no been properly cleaned between uses.

A wide variety of manikins are commercially available, and it is impossible here to detail the cleaning required for each model and type.  Instructors should always carefully follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for manikin use and maintenance.

The following recommendations summarize the steps that will minimize risk of infectious disease transmission during CPR training courses:

Follow all manufacturers’ recommendations for sanitary practice.

Participants should be told in advance that training sessions will involve close Physical contact with manikins used by other participants.

Participants and instructors should postpone CPR training if they are known to be in the active stages of an infectious disease, have reason to believe they have been exposed to an infectious disease, or have dermatologic lesions on their hands or mouth.

If an instructor wished to train someone with a known chronic infection or if the instructor has a known chronic infection, precautions should be taken to protect other participants from exposure.  This is best accomplished by providing the infected person with a separate manikin not used by anyone else.

If  more than 1 CPR manikin is used, participants should preferably be assigned in pairs.

Instructors should practice good hygiene by washing their hands before handling manikins and by avoiding eating during classes.

During 2 rescuer CPR training with mouth-to-mouth ventilation, there is no opportunity to disinfect the manikin between rescuers when the switching procedure is practiced.  To limit the potential for disease transmission during this exercise, the second rescuer taking over ventilation on the manikin should simulate ventilation instead of blowing into the manikin.  If masks with a 1-way valve are used, the mask will provide adequate protection for each rescuer.

Simulate finger sweeps

Manikins should be cleaned as soon as possible at the end of each class to avoid drying of contaminants.  Instructors should always wear gloves when disassembling the manikins and wash hands when you are done.

All external and internal surfaces as well as reusable face masks and mouth pieces should be disinfected immediately after use.

Rinsing with alcohol will aid drying of internal surfaces.