Seeking Individuals with First Aid Training for Research Study
The University of Calgary is seeking participants with first aid training for a third round of research sessions on new pre-hospital choking treatment devices!
After the success of the initial August and September sessions, as well as additional sessions in November and December, researchers have decided to continue the study into 2025, with new sessions now available for enrollment!
These sessions are open to anyone over the age of 18 with any level of first aid training, though you must not be currently employed as a healthcare worker (physicians, paramedics, nurses, etc).
Background
LifeVac© and Dechoker® are airway clearance devices that have recently started to be sold across Canada as choking treatments. The devices are marketed as safer, easier to use alternatives to traditional treatments like back blows and and abdominal thrusts. However, their usage is not currently taught in First Aid courses.
The University of Calgary is looking for individuals who are interested in participating in a free, one-hour session to learn about these devices. The session will include practice with each device to study their effectiveness, as well as how easy it is for people to use them.
A number of sessions are available for interested participants to sign up for.
Available Sessions
Multiple Sessions Will Be Run Per Day:
- January 23rd: 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm
- January 25th: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm
- January 26th: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm
- February 15th: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm
- February 16th: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm
- February 22nd: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm
- February 25th: 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm
Sessions will take place at 4039 Brentwood Rd NW, Unit #150.
Alternate Ways to Participate
For Calgary affiliates, you would also be able to come in as part of First Aid courses that you are hosting, or the research team could visit your workplace to run the training session with your staff. The latter would also be possible for affiliates in the surrounding area (including Edmonton), but please know that a group of at least 5 participants is required for any non-Calgary locations.
If you would like to sign up for a session, discuss having a session take place at your facility, or if you have any questions, please contact Cody Dunne at Cody.dunne@ucalgary.ca.