Are these remarks inappropriate

[Lou972]

I attended an adult first aid course. The instructor made these remarks when discussing the defib.

1. Cut off a womens bra as it might have metal. If you're like me though, I've been told I'm useless at removing womens bras and they tell me 'get away from me'
2. Find the correct spot for the defib pads (then showed us where to put them) then said 'if a womans breasts are low then move them out the way'
3. Do not touch the persons bum when putting them into recovery position, this is sexual harassment
4. Shave a mans chest if it is hairy before using the defib, or it might be needed for a womans chest if you come from where I live

Some of the learners where age 17 as well so not adults

There usually is a razor included.

Definitely old fashioned type of humour - clumsy and cringe.

I wouldn't complain though, I'd probably just roll my eyes at the time.

I’ve been on several first aid courses and heard similar comments every time. Trainers have their scripts and rattle through them. There was truth in everything he said; I don’t personally think any of them were horrendous. Calling someone a Karen is worse.

When I last did training it was with one of the most qualified paramedics in our area, very experienced and capable, the person I'd want if I needed help, but he's semi retired now. He warned us at the beginning of the session that he might make some daft jokes and just to ignore them but that the subject matter is so grave they try and use gallows humour to help with this. I find first aid training very traumatising and upsetting tbh. So yes, he did make silly jokes. He knew they were daft. He didn't think he was hilarious. But I'd rather be inwardly eyerolling at stuff like that and able to remain focused on learning what I need to do than spiralling off in my own head about dreadful events.

There should be a pack attached or next to the defib which should contain a razor, gloves, a rescue mask, tuff cut scissors and some wipes.

You can buy the packs separately or create your own.

It sounds like he taught the accurate advice.

I assume the joke about being bad at undoing bras was in the context of encouraging people just to cut it off to use dfib not mess about undoing bra

@Maxorias use one pad to wax if the chest is incredibly hairy or the defib just won't work. Use a new pad when attaching (there should always be more than one set)

I think you’re scrabbling to find something to complain about. The biggest shame here is if you’re losing sleep over this. Meh….

Sounds like someone trying hard to be funny and engaging and failing. I wouldn't get annoyed, would just think that this person can not read a room or tell jokes.
I wouldn't complain but probably write something in a feedback form to say the jokes made you uncomfortable.

To be fair, based on this thread we know all know it so it’s achieved what he set out to do. Awareness.
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On one of my first aid courses the trainer made it very clear at the beginning he was there to teach us how to save lives and in order for us to remember stuff he wasn't going to beat about the bush and some of his stories might be a bit close to the edge. Yes, some of his comments were a bit crass and his stories contained some gross details but he was right, I remember the way he explained things far more than other trainers. All of his points are valid.

@TemporaryPosition "So yes, he did make silly jokes. He knew they were daft. He didn't think he was hilarious."
He must have noticed that women were the butt of all 4 "jokes" though.

How do you figure that women were the butt of all 4 jokes.

1. he didn’t mention women, just bras and the joke was putting himself down about being bad at taking them off.

2. no joke, just a factual instruction

3. both women and men have bums

4. yes he was making fun of women there

seems ok to me

at least perhaps it has stuck in your memory, so that is helpful

The defibrillator or first aid kit if you have one like a work setting sometimes have a razor included

You’ve remembered the points relevant to defib use.

He didn’t get complaints from anyone about bum touching during recovery position practise.

It’s a difficult balancing line with first aid training. If you do it totally formally people tend to zone out. Whereas jokes mixed in tend to keep attention. Either because it’s funny or cringe

A defibrillator kit contains a razor

This kind of "magazine feminism" has been a serious detriment to women's interests. My trainer also explained that the neccessity of exposing a womans chest has led to hesitancy in delivery life saving care, and suggested ways to deal with this. Humour is a great way, often the only way, to deal with something so serious - I can't think up any genuinely funny jokes in a situation like this so we probably do have to just scrape the bottom of the barrel and understand that this comes from nowhere but love, but the desire to equip as many people as possible with the knowledge and confidence to save the life of someone's mother, grandmother, daughter, wife, sister, aunt, teacher, best friend, whatever.

You remembered it. Job done.

He seems like a daft man trying to be funny at the expense of women. Grim.

If you have an opportunity to give feedback you could say something but I don’t think I’d go out of my way to do it.

@Maxorias
Removing hair is correct as the pads won't stay on otherwise.

To add @Maxorias has there been training in your workplace for the defib? A razor is in the kit.
Sounds like you have it but nobody actually knows anything.

On the plus side, at least you remember what to do!

And no, I couldn't get offended at any of that

So number 2 he did make jokey and said it in a way that would be seen as flippant. Also,number 1, he was relating it to like in a sexual way, that women tell them to get away from him when he’s trying to undo their bra as he’s useless.