Experienced Canberra first-aid trainer Marcel Green has started his own business, First Aid Online. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Lockdown has inspired loads of exciting new online businesses, but there’s one virtual venture that could help save lives.
Canberra first-aid trainer Marcel Green has launched his new First Aid Online business after recognising the need for nationally-accredited first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“I was working with Canberra First Aid offering an enhanced online course during the shutdown last year, but students still had to come in for the practical assessment,” Marcel said.
“They really embraced the online learning component, so I’ve decided to offer full virtual training opportunities through my new business.
“Through my website, First Aid Online students will do the online training course, complete with instructor videos, before ‘Zooming’ in for a practical assessment. Everything is online.”
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Once students register online, Marcel will mail out first-aid training equipment, including adult and child-sized inflatable mannequins, a trainer EpiPen, placebo asthma inhalers, plus bandages and slings to use in their own home or office.
When all the required modules are complete, he will conduct a 45-minute (CPR) or 75-minute (first-aid) practical assessment via Zoom conference call.
“From start to finish, the whole course is online, so there’s no need for people to travel and sit in a class all day with a bunch of people they don’t know,” Marcel said.
“Students can complete the modules at their own pace, in their own time and they don’t have to leave their house or workplace to attend.
“You book online, complete your training and test online, then attend a short Zoom conference call to obtain your qualification.”
Videos show students how to use the training equipment. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Marcel has worked as a public and private trainer with St John Ambulance, as well as Canberra First Aid for more than seven years before deciding to start his own online service.
While based in Canberra, the virtual course is available to anyone in Australia. It suits those living and working in regional areas who normally travel to a city venue to receive first-aid training.
“There are a couple of national providers who offer a similar service based in Sydney and Melbourne, but First Aid Online’s points of difference are the Zoom conference call time is shorter and my courses are significantly cheaper than other fully online first-aid providers,” Marcel said.
“Other providers require you to call in for up to six hours and sit through the whole day-long course.”
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Marcel expects his most popular course will be HLTAID011 Provide First Aid, a requirement in some workplaces.
He will also offer HLTAID009 Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and HLTAID012 Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting, required by childcare facilities.
“I think people are so used to working and studying online that they will appreciate this as an alternative to real-life training,” he said.
“While there are some dodgy companies offering online first-aid training without receiving a nationally recognised qualification, I will provide proper accredited training, combined with years of experience.”
During the final Zoom video assessment, students will need to complete all the practical requirements performed in a real-life training room. They can also ask Marcel questions and receive advice.
First Aid Online offers a range of fully-accredited online first-aid training courses.
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