- They are too busy
- They don’t know where to go
- They think that they already have enough knowledge, or
- They think that accidents happen to other people not to them or their friends, family and colleagues.
Ask any individual who has taken a first aid training program if it was worth it and their answer will be “Yes!” Having some basic first aid knowledge is essential and here are 5 reasons why. It does more than help save lives. It’s true that having first aid training undoubtedly helps save lives. That’s not all though; giving appropriate first aid immediately can help to reduce a person’s recovery time and make the difference between the patient having a temporary or long-term disability. You’ll learn how to remain calm in emergency situations and you’ll learn simple acronyms to help you recall the steps you need to take. First aid training will make you confident and comfortable and therefore more effective and in control when you need to be. It enables you to increase patient comfort. Not all accidents, injuries or illnesses require a trip to the hospital, but it doesn’t mean they don’t cause pain and suffering to the patient. A child crying because of a bruised elbow or with a fever is in pain and is suffering. By knowing how to act – even just by employing simple techniques such as applying an ice pack correctly, or utilising appropriate bandaging, you’ll help to relieve their discomfort. You’ll also provide emotional support by remaining calm and collected which will make them feel more secure and reduce their anxiety levels. It gives you tools to prevent the situation from becoming worse. In some situations, if a patient doesn’t receive basic first aid care immediately their situation will deteriorate – often rapidly. By being able to provide basic care you can stabilize a patient until emergency medical services arrives. You’ll learn how to use basic household items as tools if a first aid kit is not available meaning that you’ll be able to cope with many situations. You’ll also be trained in how to collect information and data about what happened and the patients’ condition. This information will be passed on to the emergency services, which saves them time – you will be a valuable link in the chain of survival. It creates the confidence to care. Having a basic first aid knowledge means that you’ll be confident in your skills and abilities in relation to first aid administration. By taking first aid training, it helps you to reflect on yourself and how you and others react in certain situations. Having this understanding will boost your confidence in a wide range of non-medical day to day situations. You might also be interested in safety courses. It encourages healthy and safe living. One of the first things you will learn during your first aid training is that you must look after yourself and ensure your own safety as a priority. It’s not being selfish, it’s being practical. Keeping yourself safe means, you can help others rather than needing help yourself. You will also learn about the importance of healthy living and how lifestyle habits and choices can increase or decrease your risks of developing problems such as coronary heart disease. Having this knowledge makes you more aware of your own health and alert to potential hazards posed by your surroundings. 5 Steps to First Aid? Someone needs help. When you offer First Aid to anyone, you become the “first responder”! If someone is injured or in medical distress, we can feel adrenalin – but hopefully not panic. You automatically want to respond. You want to help. You just must be sure that you respond effectively, respond appropriately (don’t exceed your training), and don’t forget important elements. When does someone need First Aid? There are many reasons why a person might be experiencing a health problem. Of course, there are injuries: a fall, a collision, a bleeding wound, a burn, and more. Next, there are systems in the body that might be in trouble – heart, brain, lungs, stomach, intestines, etc. Next, there are ongoing health issues for that person – diabetes, asthma, heart condition, high blood pressure, seizure activity, pregnancy, to name a few. And there is always the presence of a scary problem – someone choking. Where does someone need First Aid? When you think about your day, imagine how many environments you are in per day – and first aid could be needed at any of them!
- the lobby of a business building
- someone entering as you exit the grocery store
- the lunch counter / coffee shop
- parking structure / pedestrian walkways
- bookstore / department store / office supply store
- picking up your child from school
- and the BIG ONE – your HOME – where everyone is spending lots of hours doing all kinds of activities
Who will need First Aid? You are most likely to give care to someone you love. But you are also at work, at venues of organizations you belong to, out in public recreation and garden sites, walking in your neighbourhood – so you might assist unknown members of your community! 4 out of 5 cardiac arrest occur in the home. Here are the 5 Steps to First Aid:
- Recognize the emergency. Does someone look like they’re in trouble? If so, ask them, “Are you OK?”
- Call Emergency services if you think you should. Remember, you don’t need their agreement to call EMS (Emergency Medical Services) – 084 124. (You only need their agreement to touch them
- Ask them questions in case the situation escalates to unconsciousness. “Are you allergic to anything? Are you on a medication?”
- Be kind and calm. Your compassionate and gentle smile, your reassurance that they’re “going to be OK” is a type of care! Kindness and reassurance are “care”. You might reduce their blood pressure or ease their frightened breathing. You can do a lot to soothe their fear.
- Be a Steward of the person. Some folks have old, incorrect ideas about how to handle a problem – such as, “give him some brandy” or “lift her up and put her on the couch”. Nope. Do. Not. Do No Further Harm is the key? Step in and say, “No. Don’t do that. It can hurt them.”
You might also be interested in forklift training. Three C’s of an Emergency & Three P’s of First Aid It can be difficult to think clearly during an emergency. Training your brain before you find yourself in a high-pressure situation may help you save a life or potentially help someone in pain. There are three basic C’s to remember—check, call, and care. When it comes to first aid, there are three P’s to remember—preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery. The Three C’s of Emergency 1. Check Check means checking for anything unsafe. If the emergency is surrounded by danger, assistance may be needed. Rushing into a scene without taking in present dangers may lead to more harm for yourself or others. For example, if there a car wreck happens in a high traffic area or there is someone in need of help in a fire, you will need to seek assistance. Check the scene before entering it. Take the evolution of the scene. Next check if the victim is breathing. You may need to give specific care such as CPR. 2. Call In emergency situations, it’s important to call 911 immediately. As a first responder, act right away to get help from professionals. Inspect the scene, gather needed information—check for breathing and pulse from any victims, and any other helpful information. Provide correct information for local authorities and get them involved as soon as possible. 3. Care After checking the scene and calling for help, provide care until medical professionals arrive on the scene. Monitor the victims breathing. You may need to stop bleeding or perform CPR. Follow the circulation-airway-breathing of first aid. You might also be interested in firefighting training. The Three P’s of First Aid 1. Preserve Life As a first responder to any situation, your priority should be to preserve life. You may need to perform CPR, stop bleeding or take other action to preserve the victim’s life. Start with C-A-B—circulation, airway, and breathing. Asses the quality of the victim’s circulation, adjust if needed. Ensure that the victim has no blocks to their airway and that they are breathing. The goal is to prevent the condition from worsening in any way. 2. Prevent Deterioration Do what you can to keep the victim in stable condition until medical professionals arrive. The goal is to prevent the condition from worsening and prevent any potential further injury. This may mean moving the victim to a safer location, applying first aid, stabilizing them, or just staying with the victim and providing comfort. 3. Promote Recovery After you’ve done what you can do with first aid treatment, your job now is to promote recovery. This can be done by encouraging confidence, providing comfort, attempting to relieve pain, and so on. These tips and tricks for emergency situations and first aid will likely differ based on your specific situation. But remembering the basics of what to do may help you save a life or prevent further pain. Know these simple steps before you find yourself in a situation where it’s hard to think clearly. For information please visit Strat Training’s website https://www.strattraining.co.za/. Contact Strat Training via email at training@strattraining.co.za or phone them on 012 752 8841/2.
