It’s important to integrate the many types of protective barriers into EFR training so participants learn how to use them long before they may actually need to use them in an emergency situation.As Emergency First Response® Instructors, you know that face shields and other barriers are part of personal protective equipment (PPE) and therefore an important part of every EFR® course. Protective barriers exist in many forms and can be used across a wide variety of situations. It’s important to understand what types of barriers are available, and how to integrate them into your EFR training so participants learn to access and deploy long after the course is over. Barrier use is a serious skill that should be practiced thoroughly during all EFR training.Let’s look at some of the commonly asked questions about protective barriers and how to integrate them into your EFR programs.
Why Are Barriers Important?
Protective barriers are part of the PPE category of all first aid and emergency equipment. They are designed to protect lay responders from potential exposure to infection from patient contact. Barriers may cover one’s eyes, mouth, even the entire face and hands, primarily to protect against exposure to foreign bodily fluids that can carry disease. Therefore, it is a good idea for lay responders to always carry barriers.While many potentially infectious viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms can be found in bodily fluids like saliva or blood, reducing exposure to these helps mitigate the risk. Because there’s always a possibility of fluid exchange during CPR and/or first aid, remind course participants that barriers protect them from the patient, and the patient from them.Fear of disease is a common reason lay rescuers don’t step forward in an emergency. So, emphasizing barrier use enhances the confidence to provide care safely and effectively. And those not comfortable delivering rescue breathes to a patient, due to bodily fluid contact, can deliver continuous chest compressions instead.
What Types of Barriers Are There?
There are many types of commercially available barriers. Many are designed to be worn by the lay responder – others are placed directly on the patient.
- CPR mouth barrier/sheet barrier
- face masks
- face shields
- eye shields
- rescue breathing masks (such as the Laerdal Pocket MaskTM)
- keychain barriers
- latex or nitrile gloves
- improvised barriers (like using plastic bags, glasses, gloves, etc.)
- Other tools
- hand sanitizer
- disinfecting wipe
- hand washing with antibacterial soap
When Should Barriers Be Used?
A lay responder assisting someone who needs emergency care should consider placing an appropriate barrier between themselves and the patient. This includes putting on gloves and avoiding touching their eyes and any open sores or wounds, or other sensitive areas like their mouth and nose.After providing care, used barriers should be removed and disposed of properly, such as in a biohazard bag. The lay responder should then wash and/or sanitize their hands as soon as possible. Remind participants that CPR barriers are single use only.
What Types of Barriers Can Be Carried?
Most barriers are designed with portability in mind. Some fit on a key chain and contain a face shield (mouth barrier), gloves and a disinfectant wipe. Others, like rescue-breathing masks, come in cases that also contain gloves and a disinfecting wipe – these can easily fit into your bag or in your car.
How Do You Integrate Barriers into Your EFR Courses?
Start by reviewing appropriate barrier use during the Primary and Secondary care sections of the EFR course. Have on hand as many different barrier types as you can and explain their uses, features and benefits. Then, during skill development have learners use barriers as they would when helping someone. Their use and application should become a natural part of the steps involved in scene and illness assessment. Don’t encourage participants to skip the donning of barriers during skills practice or scenarios.You may find yourself delivering EFR courses in environments where employees would benefit from you bolting on the EFR Airborne Pathogen Awareness course. This half-day course goes into more detail about pathogens, how to reduce transmission of them in a workplace and how to protect yourself from them with the use of barriers. For more information about teaching this course, contact your EFR Regional Headquarter.
