Providenciales, TCI, September 23, 2016 – Over 80% of Beaches Team Members are certified in Emergency First Response to date explained Training Officials of the resort, giving the All-Inclusive Resort an impressive count of 1600 certified members out of a 1900 staff member team. All team members are expected to complete this course and certification during the orientation period of their hiring.
Training Department Management Trainee, Julianna Musgrove said, “For the year 2016 alone we have certified 527 persons in Emergency response. This is something that is important not only for guest safety but individual safety as well, something these team members can take with them wherever they go.”
The certification is up to worldwide standards under the American Heart Association and is valid for two years after which team members are recertified. It is executed by the Training Managers who are Certified Instructors with the AHA, with the use of manikins and active participation from their fellow colleagues. During this 1 day role play exercise, emergency situations come to life as team members learn varying techniques for dealing with emergency situations that may arise for babies, infants, adults and even women during pregnancy.
Assistant Manager of the Training Department Monique Graham commented saying, “Emergency First Response has made a tremendous impact on the Talents of BTC. In that they are all equipped to take on any emergency situations whether it be on or off the resort. The training covers first aid, choking, AED use, CPR, Adult child and infant care. We’ve had instances where Talents actually had to use their skills in real life situation, from a choking adult to Infant CPR.”
The Emergency First Response courses build amateur rescuer confidence to provide care when faced with a medical emergency. Participants learn and practice the same patient care techniques and principles used by medical professionals, but at a lay person level.
“This training gave me great confidence because it means that I am better able to assist anyone in an emergency situation if need be.” said Front Office Agent Donnell Williams
Both Sandals Royal Bahamian and Sandals Emerald Bay are continuing their bid to ensure that as much as 80 percent of their staff are trained to deliver life-saving aide not only to resort guests, but to member of the public who may need assistance. That means more than 1,000 people who can deliver proper CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) machine, and perform the Heimlich on choking victims are moving throughout the Bahamas.
“The overarching thing is preparedness,” said Sandals Royal Bahamian’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager, Donny Johnson. “The whole idea is preparing you for an emergency because you never know when you will need to utilize the EFR training. When an emergency does present itself you will have the tools and training to handle it.”
Mr. Johnson has been training Sandals team members in EFR for 12 years, even before he became EHS manager. He has helped certify more than 3,000 individuals. Now, under his training, team members feel empowered and encouraged to assist in any life-threatening emergency they may happen upon.
“I feel very equipped. In the event there is a guest emergency I would know how to handle it,” said Sandals team member Kendra McPhee. “I had to encounter an emergency situation now I would feel comfortable assisting.”
Following the practical and theoretical training, team members are required to sit a short exam in order to become certified in EFR. Training is an ongoing process for Sandals’ staff, and EFR training is one of the most crucial classes offered. .
