A new first aid training program has arrived in South Central and Southwest Saskatchewan, but this school isn鈥檛 established within a building, but will venture forth to the students into their communities instead.
鈥淲e go to the clients, rather than have the clients come to us,鈥� said Destin Ash of A-Line Medical Training.
A-Line Medical Training supplies training in First Aid and CPR, as well as the appropriate courses required by first responders.
"A-Line Medical Training combines our love of teaching with our passion for patient care in the communities we proudly call home. It is our hope that through training and education we can empower our students with life saving knowledge for when they need it the most," Ash said.
Additionally, innovative training and skills development opportunities are available at A-Line for health care professionals, including paramedics, nurses and doctors.
Destin Ash and his wife Amanda are the people behind A-Line Medical Training 鈥� they are building a company designed to bring first aid into the rural communities and districts encompassing Assiniboia and beyond.
Although Ash is presently working as a first responder in northeastern Saskatchewan in Nipawin and Cumberland House on a rotational basis, he is living in Assiniboia with his wife Amanda and their three children; Liam, Rowan and Finley. 聽聽
Ash is familiar with the first aid requirements of South Central and Southwest Saskatchewan, having grown up on a farm close to Glentworth.
A former Hutch Ambulance Advanced Care Paramedic, Ash began his EMS career in 2009 after graduating as a Primary Care Paramedic. He later obtained his Intermediate Care Paramedic (2010), Advanced Care Paramedic (2013) and is currently finishing his Community Care Paramedic designation in 2020.
Moreover, Ash is a certified training partner for the Canadian Red Cross, Heart and Stroke and International Trauma and Life Support (ITLS).聽
A very busy man 鈥� Ash also teaches on a casual footing for the Sask Polytechnic Paramedic programs in Regina when he鈥檚 back home.聽
Having grown up in rural Saskatchewan where doctors, hospitals and nurses aren鈥檛 always instantly accessible, Ash is aware of how essential first aid training could become during an emergency. 鈥淚t starts at home,鈥� Ash explained. 鈥淚t starts with you recognizing the emergency and knowing what to do. Living in rural areas, we are so much further from ambulances and hospitals. In many emergencies, time is so important, so your actions and the actions of local first responders can make all the difference for the patient.鈥�
Ash would like to further develop the services offered by A-Line Medical Training throughout South Central and Southwest Saskatchewan. So far, classes have been scheduled for Gravelbourg and Rockglen in the immediate future.聽聽
"We have upcoming Canadian Red Cross First Aid/CPR Level C courses in Gravelbourg on November 16 and in Rockglen on December 14. We will be announcing our 2021 training schedule soon," Ash explained.
A-Line Medical Training also offers their services within a COVID-safe environment.
During the pandemic, courses at A-Line Medical Training will include social distancing of two metres, manageable class sizes between 12-18 people, masks, hand sanitizer and pre-day health screening. All students are contacted before classes begin to ensure everyone is healthy.
