We wanted to take a moment this week to address a disturbing trend that we have noticed recently. Many of our new customers are coming to us because they have taken one of those $12.00 hands off online training courses, or took a $25 in person class and "now it doesn't count", or has been "certified" through lesser known organizations such as the Emergency Care and Safety Institute and now they have to take another class out of pocket because their employer needs a certificate from an approved provider. So that got us thinking...
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch”, “If it’s free, it’s worthless”, or “you get what you pay for”. How many times have you heard these sayings? Or said them? Often times we hear these cliché remarks or read them in an online review, but do we ever stop to think about what they actually mean, and how sometimes they are truer than we realize?
Take for example, car repairs. We all know that the dealership will charge significantly more for an oil change than a local mechanic, and we all know that a drip pan and a 5-quart jug of oil at the local auto parts store is cheaper still. But do you trust yourself to change your oil? Sure, I can get a YouTube mechanic’s certification and figure it out, but is it the best job? Cousin Jed said he’d do it for cost of parts and a case of beer, but is that a good option? Do I trust Rusty at Ted’s backyard Garage to actually put the cap back on my oil pan this time? Or do I want to find a reputable person to handle my car maintenance? What if I need more vital repairs? What if I find something else broken?
If you’re like me, and all of these things cross your mind with something as simple as an oil change, then you probably have the same questions about major life decisions. “Can I manage my own retirement, or should I trust an investor?” “Do I really know what my health insurance covers?” “Do I really trust Cousin Jed’s homemade tree stand and beer distillery?”.
As we think about these questions, we also have to think about why we ask them. The psychology of this is called metacognition, and it’s a big word that really just means asking why we have these gut reactions. It all boils down to safety and trust. What each one of these questions is really asking is “Do I trust this to keep me alive?” So why don’t we ask these questions about things that actually keep us alive?
Having been involved in many outdoor groups and activities, often times we don’t ask about quality of preparedness as much as we talk about cost. Everyone knows the guy who only buys brand name fishing gear, and everyone knows the guy who is bringing rods his grandfather gave him in 1982, and power bait that he got on clearance, so you have to add water to get it soft enough to use. The same is true when we talk about training for outdoor experiences. Do you want to go camping with the guy who just watches a lot of Bear Grylls on Netflix, or do you want to go with the guy who has actually taken wilderness survival courses with certified instructors?
The same is true when it comes to life saving training for those activities. If you are going to go backpacking in a remote location, you seek a wilderness first aid course. If you go online, you’ll find a wide range of these courses, and more often than not your first inclination is to select “filter by cost”. Why? If you break your leg 20 miles from the nearest access point with no cell service, is the YouTube course really the one you want to trust? Or would you prefer something that is reviewed by professionals and certified through the American Red Cross, which is the same training given to backcountry firefighters and search and rescue medics?
If you’re reviewing a first aid training website and there is no reference to peer-reviewed or a national association that you have heard of, chances are you’re not going to get up-to-date and accurate training. If you see a class that provides certification by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association, you are getting quality training that has been reviewed by doctors considered the best in their field, delivered by instructors who have to recertify and ensure they are effective at teaching the skills you seek. Don't be misinformed and pull a Simpson.
So, when you are searching for your next training for an outdoor adventure, looking to complete an updated certification for a job requirement, or to just be better prepared to help someone you know or love, do this. Look for a trainer with a strong background in what they are providing. Look for certifications by licensed instructors from the Red Cross, AHA, or ASHI and finally, ask yourself “Do I trust this training with my life or the life of my loved ones?”
Looking for a trusted trainer? Check us out at www.emp2c.com/firstaidtraining We are trained by under the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR), the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and ACS: Committee on Trauma, and the Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care. We are Maryland State Department of Education approved, a trusted training provider for FedEx, and have the hands on, life experiences needed to provide a thorough, educational, and fun training experience.
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