First Aid for RMTs – Should it be Mandatory?
Recently, a massage association in Alberta dropped the requirement for their members to continually re-cert their first aid and members were all:
Here’s some comments from RMTs:
“I’m surprised by this decision. I would think first aid would always be relevant in a profession where we are working so closely with people. Hopefully most choose to continue taking it.”
”This is disappointing. If Massage Therapists want to be considered health care, we should stay up to date on first aid and cpr training.”
“This becomes a safety issue to the public.”
“So we are trying to be less credible as members of the medical community? This is an incredibly disappointing and concerning change.”
Some were a little more understanding of the change:
“I’ve taken first aid for 30 years … that’s 10 times … I think I know it already! I am glad to see this change … I have some of the exam questions memorized by now! Maybe it is a skill that should be updated less frequently.”
And this is the explanation from the association (shortened for clarity):
”In recent years, we have revised our requirements to align more closely with those of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO), as well as to empower our members as professionals. Upon review of CMTO’s membership requirements, we noted that they only require applicants to hold valid Standard First Aid (SFA) and CPR-C certification at the time of initial application, with no ongoing recertification requirement for practicing members. Our understanding is that this approach is intended to support greater autonomy for practitioners.”
Source: Facebook
Many regulated provinces DO require first aid recertification however…
It’s interesting to note that other regulated provinces such as British Columbia do require re-certification. Source: CCHPBC
Thoughts?
I’m curious what RMTs think across Canada and in other countries! What are the requirements where you live? Do you think it should be required?
If it’s not required, will you still voluntarily take it?
I know I will as I’m a solo practitioner and want to be prepared. It’s such a great life skill for ANY person to have. Plus, who doesn’t love hanging out with those creepy dummies?
