This blog series has been written to provide guidance on how DEUS Rescue approaches safety and rescue training. This approach is built around six distinctly different but inter-related areas: Decision-making, Concepts, Skills, Repetition, Testing and Re-certification. Each of these steps contributes to the student not only knowing and understanding products and how to use them, but ensures that he or she is actually capable of using them in an emergency situation, when tension is high and conditions are less than ideal.
Missed our previous entries in this series on The Effective Training Program?
In our last entry, we addressed skills and repetition. Skills refers to developing the competencies necessary to do the job – to use equipment properly, and to implement particular techniques, to undertake a rescue or escape. Repetition is a matter of practice, practice, practice to take learned skills to the point of automatic responses so they can be done essentially without thought. This is important given the stress of a real emergency situation.
For our fourth and final entry in this series, we will address two aspects of training that are about verification of results. That is, they are designed to help you, the trainer, understand how well the student has learned what you have been training and continues to maintain the knowledge and skills. Let’s look at Testing and Re-Certification…
Testing
Testing is what closes the teaching-and-learning loop. Testing is proof that lessons were learned and skills acquired (and, perhaps, to what extent). It is about demonstrating the skills and knowledge. But while most testing situations are about the student demonstrating this to the instructor, DEUS takes a slightly different approach.
The DEUS testing process uses a system of checks-and-balances – called a “two initial” approach – to establish proof of competence and confidence. Training is broken down into logical blocks and requires a “two initial” agreement – one from the instructor and one from the student – before moving on from one block to the next.
The trainer “initials” a block as completed only when the student can demonstrate that he or she has achieved a satisfactory understanding and skill level for that block. And, when students are confident that they have learned the block and can repeat it on their own, then the student can “initial” the block as completed. It is only when a block has the initials of both trainer and student that it is truly considered “completed.”
The DEUS “two initials” process assures effective training. Trainers cannot rush through training and assume students learned all that is needed. Classes cannot be run by demonstrating a technique with one student while the rest watch. Trainers have to verify, with each individual student, that students have learned both the concepts and the techniques. Students do not add their signatures until they agree that they understand and have the necessary skills to work safely and do what is necessary in an emergency to save lives.
Re-certification
Safety skills are like riding a bicycle. Once you know how, it only takes a short ride every year to keep the skill. But, let years go by without riding and skills get rusty. Skills to effectively balance, corner, avoid obstacles and brake can all deteriorate. That’s how people get hurt. Re-certification is about revisiting and ensuring that knowledge and skills are maintained year after year.
There is another important reason to re-certify. Both preventive and contingent safety techniques and equipment evolve and can improve over time. Regular re-certification keeps you up to date on the latest and best gear and techniques.
DEUS certifications are good for one year and annual re-certification is required. Re-certification isn’t necessarily difficult, but it does require proving competence.
DEUS Rescue is not a training company. However, we are in the safety and rescue business, and we do understand the importance of effective training in this world. We also understand that safety managers and their organizations have multiple goals and multiple demands on time, money and other resources. That’s why we work with our customers to develop cost-effective train-the-trainer programs so their people can use DEUS controlled descent devices, kits and accessories effectively. For more information, contact us.