The Canadian Red Cross adapted its First Aid and Water Safety training to meet provincial restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Red Cross released recommendations on how to best run effective and safe swimming lessons where possible, while still meeting provincial health restrictions. Even though many swimming pools were closed for most of the year, when facilities were open Red Cross was able to train 11,443 Albertans in Swimming and Water Safety programs including Red Cross Swim Preschool, Red Cross Swim Kids and Red Cross Swim Adults and Teens.
Likewise, First Aid Training Partners shifted their delivery to a blended model to meet the needs of Albertans. This allowed learners to take 50% of their course online with the in-person content delivered when allowed by public health authorities. With this shift in delivery, Red Cross was able to provide vital first aid skills to more than 105,000 people in the province.
A highlight of the year was a virtual conference,
Survival 2020. Due to the pandemic, Kevin Paes, Senior Manager of Volunteer Engagement in Prevention and Safety, says organizers shifted the in-person event, originally planned to be held in Calgary, into a virtual conference.
“Survival 2020 was the third international conference by Prevention and Safety and was to be held for the first time in Western Canada.” Paes said. “But moving the conference to a virtual event also meant we were able to attract delegates from around the world who might not normally be able to attend. That included delegates from New Zealand, Fiji, Belgium, and Hong Kong,” Paes shared.
The conference was well attended with more than 360 participants. Topics ranged from CPR in the Time of COVID, to Structured Scanning for Lifeguards.
Swimming and Water Safety Tips & Resources
First Aid Tips and Resources