First aid course - uncomfortable with instructor.

[StrongerThanIThought76]

Went on a first aid at work course recently and am still unsure as to whether or not the instructor was a bit too 'much'.

Aside from some very open racist comments, a few eyebrow raising sexist comments and some downright atrocious body-shaming comments ('breasts like beagles ears' anyone?) I am still feeling physically uncomfortable with the level of physical contact required from the session.

I have previously, yet a long time ago, been on the 3 day course and did a paediatric course 4 years ago for work.

Please can soneone confirm if the current Emergency First Aid in the Workplace qualification/procedures require the first aider to do the following upon the discovery of an unconscious but breathing casualty?

• feeling of skull all over
• feeling of forehead, nose, cheekbones
• feeling of neck for broken vertebrae
• feeling of side of ribs for breaks
• two-handed squeezing of legs from just below crotch to ankles to check for breaks
• two handed squeezing of arms from armpit to hand, as above.

This all before ringing for an ambulance.

Perhaps I am being very sensitive. However, in a room of complete strangers - mixed sexes and very diverse - we had to perform this check possibly 15 times altogether.

I will be making a complaint about the sexist and racist language anyway. AIBU to query if procedures have changed SO MUCH in the last few years that first aiders are now required to 'feel vigorously' for breaks by engaging in such an involved hands-on manner?

Thanks

@bastedyoungturkey - mine was northish Midlands...

Just done a one day first aid at work course (delivered by a St Johns Ambulance trainer working for a private company) which included a basic secondary survey but only to check for obvious broken bones or bleeding to give info to emergency services (several of us work outdoors and can be lone workers).. No detailed check of head / face and neck though.

We also did CPR and use of a defibrillator - absolutely no talk of “moving” things, only being aware of underwired bras and of being sensitive and discreet.

You do need to complain about his inappropriate comments.

I organise NCT baby first aid courses. The paramedic who runs the courses includes similar checks: checking area is safe around casualty, checking fir bleeding from head, run hands down body to check for flinching and pain, check if pelvis is broken, etc. But not as you describe! He sounds inappropriate.

And the body shaming comments? No fucking way. Completely inappropriate.

I did the St Johns ambulance one. Few years' ago and to be honest I was really surprised at how up close and personal I had to get with complete strangers. I felt uncomfortable with it to be honest, having my body felt etc whilst looking for fractures but I just got on with it and suffered the embarrassment.

Spoke to my employer today. Confirmed that no further employees will be getting any training from this chap. They're also looking into reporting his language to whatever official bodies he represents.

Have watched a few 'official' online videos on the secondary survey and happy that the hands-on stuff is ok (though still not sure about grabbing behind the neck to check for broken vertibrae).

This is known as the secondary, or hands on check. It should be done after the primary assessment and after EMS has been called. It is normal however.