Update: Sunday May 31st, 2020

Hi All,

As you’re likely aware, the Province of Nova Scotia has begun to announce the gradual restoration of social norms. 

Meanwhile, we (LifeShield) are yet to receive formal confirmation from Canadian Red Cross that we’re able to resume in-person training (albeit with new safety measures / adaptations) at our Dartmouth training facility. 

At this juncture, though we anticipate a return to in-class programming during the month of June, we  unable to provide a definite "go-live" date. 

For those currently registered for in-class programming in June 2020:

We will be in touch 1 week prior to your scheduled program with direction on whether or not we are a go for for in-class training, as scheduled. 

If your in-class session is a go:

• We will outline new safety measures in place, which will include pre-scheduled time slots for participants to arrive for their skills session. Whereas the Province currently limits gatherings to groups of 10 or less, this will result in a shorter on-site training period for all, with a smaller number of people per class. This will be articulated in greater detail in the near future. 

If your session is not a go:

• You will be given the opportunity to choose from any one of the following 3 options:

• Completing self-paced online module in exchange for a comparatively short in-class session later in June (dates TBA)

• Rescheduling the entirety of your classroom session to a date later in June (dates TBA)

• Cancelling your registration in return for a full refund.

For those currently registered for in-class programming July 2020 and beyond:

Whereas specifics regarding return to the classroom should be well established during the month of June, all classroom sessions in July 2020 and beyond are status quo.

Any changes in format resting from new safe-work practices will be articulated in advance f your session.

For those who have completed our pre-course online modules and are awaiting word on in-class programming:

Please bear with us over the coming week or so, as we await word from Canada Red Cross with respect to a "go-live" date as well as safe-work modifications to be adopted in the classroom. 

We will absolutely touch base with all of you as soon as details are worked out. - A list of available dates for skills completion will be provided to you at that time. 

We appreciate your continued support during these difficult times.

Thank-you,

Kyle

COVID-19

Update: Sunday March 22nd, 2020.

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Click Here to Register for Distance Training  Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic  

Update: Wednesday March 18th, 2020.

Hi All,

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Red Cross has closed their facilities to the public until further notice. Accordingly, we will cease in-class operations for the time being.

Good News!  - Given these are unprecedented times, we are offering a unique option to ensure that you, our participants can benefit from First Aid & CPR certification from the comfort and safety of your homes. 

Until further notice, all training has been moved to an online platform. 

Click Here to View our Training Opportunities Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic  

Upon completion of a self-paced online module, participants will receive a Canadian Red Cross certification card, valid for a period of 60 days. Should the COVID19 pandemic require further social isolation beyond said 60 days, we will continue to extend your expiration date in perpetuity.

Once social norms have been restored and our facilities re-open to the public, all participants will:

• Be invited to attend an abridged, in-class skills session at their leisure. This will not be a traditional, full-length class. Instead, it will consist of a short gathering to practice skills;

• Upon completion of your skills session, your 60-day certificate will be replaced with a traditional, full-length certification card.

Please bear with us as we navigate the next few days. As you can expect, we are juggling tremendous logistical challenges. As such, we respectfully request that inquiries be sent via email as opposed to phone: info@lifeshield.ca

We appreciate your continued support during these difficult times.

Thank-you,

Kyle

________________________________________________________________________________

Update: Tuesday March 17th, 2020.

Hi Everyone,

As you are no doubt aware, the situation with COVID19 is quickly evolving. Earlier today, Premier Stephen McNeil decreed that public gatherings will be limited to 50 people. Though the situation is highly dynamic, we are doing our best to establish contingency plans and to keep you, our valued customers, informed. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1)    Are you holding courses?

As of the time of this update, we are open for business. Prospective participants are welcome to peruse upcoming courses and register, per normal.

Meanwhile, we have adopted the following practices, on the recommendation of local health authorities:

• Reduction in the number of students per class, so as to satisfy social distancing requirements;

• Increased decontamination procedures for all training aids;

• Increased access to hand sanitizer on site;

• Increased cleaning and sanitizing of our training facilities

• Pre-Course screening questionnaires which are emailed to all participants 72 hours prior to their scheduled program.

As a Canadian Red Cross training partner, we are bound to directives originating from any of the following:

• Canadian Red Cross

• Nova Scotia Health Authority

• Public Health Agency of Canada

Should we be directed to postpone in-class gatherings, we will immediately comply.

2)    If my course is cancelled, what do I do?

If a course is postponed as a result of COVID19, the following will occur:

1. Participants will receive an email advising you of said postponement

2. Participants will be given an opportunity to EITHER:

   1. Postpone to a later session.  Tentatively, said sessions would resume in April 2020 (dates to be listed at the time of postponement) OR

   2. Complete an online training module in exchange for a 60-day certification card. Prior to the expiry of your 60-day certificate, participants will be provided with dates for in-class skill workshops, thereby receiving a traditional 3-year certification card.

3)    If my course goes ahead, should I show up or stay home?

As mentioned, we are closely monitoring the situation and will abide by all requirements bestowed upon us by health authorities.

In the event that a course does goes ahead as scheduled, participants will receive an email questionnaire 72-hours prior to your session. This questionnaire will screen participants for travel history as well as first and second-party contact with confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID19.

Further, the questionnaire requires all participants to agree to stay home, should they feel unwell prior to their course date.

Despite our stringent screening, reduced class sizes and above average sanitation, should you prefer to stay home, please contact us advising us of same. In such a case, we will happily defer you to a future session.

4)    What about financial penalty?

Rest assured that under no circumstances whatsoever will course participants be financially penalized as a result of COVID19.

Though we are unable to issue refunds, we will absolutely reschedule you as needed without charge.

Further, as an act of good faith, should participants “no-show” without notice, we will reschedule you at no charge until such time the COVID19 pandemic is declared over.

As you can imagine, we are busy juggling various unknowns. While we absolutely encourage your questions, we urge you to email us at info@lifeshield.ca, as we cannot guarantee our ability to answer all phone calls in a timely manner,

Thanks all and be well,

Kyle

________________________________________________________________________________

Update: Sunday March 15th, 2020.

Hi All,

LifeShield continues to diligently monitor COVID-19 updates. We rely on information shared by experts within the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) as well as Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to drive our practice.

COVID-19 has reached Nova Scotia. - Provincial officials are encouraging individuals, employers and organizations to limit social gatherings to no more than 150 people. Health officials are also encouraging social distancing / avoidance of confined gatherings. 

In an effort to promote same, we are actively attempting to reduce the number of participants per session. - In short, we envision a greater number of available sessions, each of which will contain a comparatively smaller number of people. - To that end, those individuals who have since booked may be contacted to gauge their interest in deferring to newly announced, alternate dates. 

We will continue to offer our First Aid and CPR programs, unless our local Health Authority decrees otherwise. Whereas the safety of our clients and staff remain our number one priority, we are taking extra steps to minimize the risk associated with COVID-19. These include:

- Additional hand-sanitizer in all locations;
- Additional surface disinfectant wipes in all locations;
- Additional cleaning efforts in our facilities;
- Additional cleaning efforts for all of our training materials (manikins, etc.)
- Instructing staff to refrain from shaking-hands;

We have also asked our instructors to make their best efforts to minimize student-to-student contact in our classrooms. First Aid and CPR are very hands-on skills to learn, but we will make reasonable accommodations to reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission.

Though manikins are thoroughly decontaminated per normal, issued barrier devices remain mandatory for use when ventilating our training aids. - This long standing redundancy remains unchanged.  Further, nitrile gloves remain available for any and all participants to dawn when working with training aids and/or one another.  

According to the PHAC, the risk to Canadians remains low. Meanwhile, we are asking participants who have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, have come in contact with anyone who has contracted COVID-19 or anyone who is feeling unwell to reschedule their course. - Contact us anytime and we'll happy to reschedule you at no cost.

Any questions, feel free to be in touch. 

Be well, 

Kyle

For credible information:

Nova Scotia Health Authority: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/

Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html