Who should get first aid training?

There are numerous professions that do require a first aid certificate. Some of these include: security guards, bank employees, lifeguards, teachers and many others. There are also some college diplomas where students who are taking Nursing, Paramedics, Firefighter to name a few are required to have an up to date certification. Some of these individuals sit through a training class with the simple goal of obtaining a certificate, however, what many do not consider is that first aid training can be crucial asset in the case of an emergency.

First aid training, whats the big deal?

Many people take first aid training without understanding why it is important and what benefits it can bring to them. Often they take these courses because their employer requires a valid first aid certification.

First aid training is actually beneficial to know. It provides an array of different skills and techniques that can be required to be performed in the case of an emergency, a life-threatening situation or even on a day-to-day basis. Training in the area of first aid is indispensable. Most of the time it is provided by non professionals until expert medical treatment is available or accessible to the ill or a wounded person. First aid can range from basic non-emergency treatments that are required to assist with bleeding control, correct

bandaging of wounds, treating for shock, minor pains, and hyperventilation, all the way to emergency first aid response, broken bones, severe burns, airway obstruction, anaphylactic reactions and CPR. Quite often first aid will require further medical assistance and thus the correct administration of first aid in a timely manner is essential.

What is First Aid?

First aid by definition is the preliminary care provided to an individual in the case of injury or illness.

Goals of First Aid

First aid administrations seeks to meet three essential goals:

Preserving Life – First and foremost, the aim of first aid is to keep the injured and or ill individual alive. This can be done through maintaining open an airway so that air can pass through without difficulty, placing patients in recovery position to avoid chocking, or providing CPR to the injured casualty.

Preventing Further Injury – Preventing the condition of the ill and or injured from deteriorating is a key element of first aid training. This includes taking preventative external measures such as moving the body from harm’s way and also using key first aid techniques such as blood control.

Promoting recovery – First aid is also a step towards the recovery process by treating for illness or injury. This can be as simple as applying bandages to abrasions, or assisting patients with obtaining further medical assistance.

Armed with knowledge of what first aid aims to provide beyond the classroom, you can apply first aid techniques to patients in critical situations. First aid training could possibly save a co-worker should there be a medical emergency at your workplace.

Here is a practical example where first aid administration can be applied:

A co-worker falls off a ladder at work and breaks his arm – you will preserve life by coming to the scene of the injury where you find the injured co-worker. At this point it is important to prevent further injury occurring. In order to avoid future harm, you, as a certified first aider, would use the workplace first aid kit and use splints to immobilize the broken area.  You can promote recovery by advising or even assisting your co worker to seek further medical assistance from a doctor so that they can get X-rays done to ensure that there are no other unseen injuries.

Now that you understand the value of having proper first aid knowledge, it becomes apparent why one should take a first aid course to learn the necessary skills required to be confident in an emergency situation.  Having first aid knowledge beyond common sense can be crucial in the event of a crisis!