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Maryl Barker Selected WSO's Safety Person of the Year
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The World Safety Organization (WSO) selected Maryl Barker, co-founder and President of MEDIC FIRST AID International, Inc., as WSO Safety Person of the Year.
Maryl Barker founded Emergency Medical Planning in 1977 with the purpose of improving the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid instruction. She recognized the need for improvement when she and co-founder Peder Heineman saw that many first-aid trained people failed to respond to an emergency. Under Maryl's leadership, MEDIC FIRST AID developed many educational techniques and methods that have been proved through research to be more effective and are now industry standards. These innovations were introduced years before other training groups adopted them.
The award is given annually to a person who has shown exceptional support and dedication to the protection of people, property, resources, and the environment on an international basis. To qualify for the award, candidates must participate in a significant manner in the safety discipline in at least five countries world-wide; publish or author books, articles, or texts significant in nature that are published and distributed in at least five countries worldwide; design a concept or process within the safety discipline; and show significant support for the promotion of safety education and discipline.
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MFA Directors Come to the Aid of Airline Passenger
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On October 6, Bill Clendenen and Chris Bennett, Directors of MEDIC FIRST AID International, Inc. were on a flight from Portland to San Diego. Approximately 1 hour into the flight and about 30 minutes from landing Bill observed a man get out of his seat to place something in the overhead baggage compartment. The man suddenly slumped over and became unresponsive, the result of a reaction to new medication. People in the immediate area yelled out for help and assisted the man's wife in getting him to the floor.
The first to respond were a flight attendant, nurse, and athletic trainer. The immediate care they wanted to provide was to get his shirt open so they could attach an Automated External Defibrillator. Bill noticed that no assessment had been done and no one was opening his airway to check for breathing. He made his way to the scene and introduced himself as being first aid trained and a former EMT. He began caring for the patient, opened the airway and determined his breathing was shallow and irregular. He had a weak pulse registering between 60-65 beats per minute. Bill began administering oxygen at 8 liters per minute, the highest setting available.
The patient was unresponsive for approximately 5 minutes then opened his eyes. He was unable to verbally communicate so Bill had him squeeze his hand as a way of responding to Bill's questions. Chris was busy writing down vital signs during this time.
When the pilot announced they were going to land in approximately 10 minutes, Chris and Bill decided they needed to get the 6'2", 190-pound man to the rear galley. Bill, Chris, and the athletic trainer rolled the man on his side and lay a blanket under him. They proceeded down the single aisle toward the galley of the MD 80 jet, with Bill stabilizing the head, Chris at the belt loops, and the trainer at the feet. With the landing imminent, Bill maintained the airway while Chris counted down the altitude on the descent. Bill braced himself as the plane touched down.
The passengers were told to remain in their seats as EMS came on board. They gathered information from Bill and Chris, and stabilized the patient. The fire department arrived and removed the patient from the plane. This incidence was a classic case where the MEDIC FIRST AID system, integrating the priorities of care, played a vital role in the proper care administered to a suddenly ill person. By remaining calm and in control of the situation, Bill and Chris were able to help a person who was in need of medical care.
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MEDIC FIRST AID Co-Founder's Retirement
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 I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the wonderful MEDIC FIRST AID Facilitators I have met over the past 26 years. When I co-founded the business in 1977 at the age of 23 I really didn't know what lay ahead. My partner and I always "knew" it would work and moving forward without doubt can be a powerful thing. It has truly been a roller coaster.
Challenging a billion dollar organization and helping change the face of an industry are not without frustrations. But the frustrations have always been more than balanced out by the stories of MEDIC FIRST AID graduates using their training. So many of the stories are still fresh in my mind.
The first Good Samaritan Award we gave was to a man who performed CPR on his mother-in-law, Nellie. She recovered and lived for almost nine more years. As her son-in-law said, "Nellie watched her grandchildren grow into fine young adults, visited with her brothers, maintained contact with her friends at church, and was always the center of attention at family gatherings during the holidays. Perhaps of even more significance was the friendship that grew between Nellie and my mentally retarded sixty-five year old sister who helped care for her during the last few months of Nellie's life."
Then there are the stories of the children who are resuscitated successfully. What could bring greater joy than to save a child? There are stories of rescuers who just happen to be in the right place at the right time to provide care. I recall the power company employee who happened to be home early one day when a neighbor boy riding an ATV in his back yard ran a clothesline almost all the way through his trachea. The boy lived thanks in part to the quick actions of the rescuer.
There are the sad cases in which the patient is not successfully resuscitated. In those cases it is gratifying to hear emergency care was provided quickly and appropriately giving the family assurance everything was done that could be done for the patient.
In addition to the Good Samaritan stories, the highlight of the past 26 years has been getting to know so many wonderful people associated with MEDIC FIRST AID. With few exceptions, the people who teach emergency care skills are people who care about others. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to work with.
We have always tried to be good listeners, give you programs that are effective and take your advice on improving them. I leave the company in the capable hands of the staff and new leaders Chris Bennett and Bill Clendenen. We hope you have found the changes during the past year and a half transition to be refreshing and positive. I know Chris, Bill, and all the staff at MEDIC FIRST AID International welcome your input and the opportunity to provide you with the highest quality emergency care training programs. Thanks again. It's been great.
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Facilitator Renewal Process Simplified
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MEDIC FIRST AID International will implement a new renewal process beginning in March 2003. The new renewal process was developed to simplify the procedure for retaining current MEDIC FIRST AID Facilitator status.
The current process requires facilitators to submit a recertification application every two years for each program the facilitator is authorized to teach. The recertification date is based on the date of the training for each particular program. This requires some facilitators to submit up to 5 recertification applications at varying times throughout the year, with a $15.00 charge per program being assessed.
The new procedure will require the facilitator to renew once every two years for a $25.00 renewal fee. This will automatically renew the facilitator for all programs he or she is authorized to teach. New facilitator cards for all programs will be issued at that time. The phase-in of this procedure will begin in March 2003. At that time, all facilitators trained in 2001 will be provided renewal paperwork. Their next renewal will be due in December of 2004 and December of even years after that. All facilitators trained in 2002 will be provided renewal paperwork in December of 2003 and odd years after that date. Facilitators will be provided with a simplified renewal form. The form will have all current registry information. The facilitators will review the form, make necessary changes, provide payment, and return the form in the envelope provided.
MEDIC FIRST AID International is simplifying the renewal process so our facilitators may more easily continue to provide MEDIC FIRST AID training programs.
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MEDIC FIRST AID Instructor Takes Training to Russia
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 On March 9th, 2002, MEDIC FIRST AID Instructor Shari Roberson and five members of the First Baptist Church of Houston traveled to the Russian city of Nizhney Novgorod. During their two-week stay in the third largest city in Russia, they trained approximately 100 students in CPR using videos and materials donated by MEDIC FIRST AID.
There had been no previous training in CPR for these people. Shari said, "They had been shown theory, through photos, but had never done hands-on application. Everyone we taught enjoyed the class."
Quite a cross section of people was trained including school teachers, students, and policemen. Ten instructors were also trained. They will be training at the military base in Nizhniy. A CPR class was requested, but they require it to be taught by Russians.
Shari and her team left behind manikins to help in the ongoing training of the Russian civilians and military personnel. The church group also donated much-needed articles of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, art supplies, and toys to an orphanage of 220 children.
MEDIC FIRST AID is pleased they could help in this wonderful example of caring for people around the world.
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Emergency Care Training Program to be Released in Early 2003
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 MEDIC FIRST AID is releasing a new supplement targeting individuals and corporations that have previous cardiopulmonary resuscitation training but need first aid training. You will now be able to offer MEDIC FIRST AID Emergency Care instead of the entire MEDIC FIRST AID Basic course to better meet your clients' needs.
MEDIC FIRST AID Emergency Care training program is designed to supplement previous CPR training for those students that need first aid training. The course will teach students how to manage life-threatening illnesses and injuries until the arrival of EMS.
Based on MEDIC FIRST AID Basic, Version 5.0, Emergency Care will begin with a review of Circles of Care for those students without prior MEDIC FIRST AID training. Other first aid topics included in the Emergency Care course are: Bleeding, Shock Management, Warning Signs of Medical Illness, Mechanism of Injury, Managing Specific First Aid Problems, Physical Assessment, Patient History, and Emergency Moves. New scenario-based segments and student practice sessions for Physical Assessment and Patient History are being developed and will assist the student in observing for signs of illnesses and injuries.
The course is designed to meet the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for first aid training in the workplace. The course time to complete is variable based on the time necessary to review any specific first aid topics.
As a current MEDIC FIRST AID Basic or Pediatric Instructor, it'll be simple to begin teaching this new program. Simply purchase the video program, complete your facilitator application and you'll be eligible to offer this new program.
Contact Client Services at 800-800-7099 for more information about the MEDIC FIRST AID Emergency Care program.
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MEDIC FIRST AID Conference 2003 - Portland, Oregon - October 16 & 17, 2003
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Mark your calendars and plan to attend the MEDIC FIRST AID Conference 2003 in Portland, Oregon on October 16 & 17, 2003. All MEDIC FIRST AID Facilitators are invited to this event. The program will feature general sessions on the direction of Emergency Care Training and MEDIC FIRST AID in addition to afternoon sessions featuring presentations on marketing and regulatory issues. Plus there will be training sessions including automated external defibrillators, emergency oxygen equipment, pediatrics and bloodborne pathogens.
The MEDIC FIRST AID Conference 2003 will be hosted by The Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Hotel and room rates are $129. Look for more details in the next issue of Visions and at medicfirstaid.com in January.
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MEDIC FIRST AID Facilitator Survey Coming Soon!!
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Look in the mail for this important survey. 2,000 Facilitators will be asked their opinions of MEDIC FIRST AID programs and products.
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