First Aid can mean so many different things. Some people think of First Aid as a medical field, while others think of it as emergency preparedness. The truth is, First Aid is both of these things. So what is First Aid?
First Aid is the practice of providing emergency care to injured people without access to medical facilities. It is a broad term that covers a variety of different skills and knowledge. Even though First Aid is a general term, some key areas make up First Aid.
If you are worried about being prepared for any First Aid situation, this guide will answer some questions you might have.
First Aid and You: The Necessity of Learning First Aid
There is more to First Aid than just having a box of old Band-Aids, some out of date panadol, and duct tape in your closet.
It is a field that can help you in many different situations and one that is important to know. If you are planning on getting a job or want to know what you’ll be able to do to help someone in their time of need, then this First Aid Course is perfect for you!
What is First Aid?
First Aid is the initial treatment of an accident or medical emergency. This can include things like knowing how to stop bleeding, how to treat a broken bone, how to take someone’s temperature, and what to do for poisonings or allergic reactions.
Basic First Aid is different from Advanced First Aid for a specific reason – it is for emergencies that aren’t life-threatening. First Aid is an important skill, but it is not a replacement for medical care or assessment by a professional.
Why Is First Aid Necessary?
Emergency response is a crucial component of public safety. First Aid is a basic skill that civilians can use to save lives and treat injuries.
People who practice First Aid may be called upon to provide care during natural disasters, patrol public events, or where mass casualties are involved. In a medical emergency, time is critical.
First Aid can be used to save a life or prevent serious injury resulting in an unnecessary fatal outcome.
In addition to learning basic skills, a First Aider may be required to make quick decisions, assess the situation, triage and prioritize the injury severity of multiple people putting the most needed first and the least urgent last, and act quickly.
What Can You Do to Help in a Medical Emergency?
Have the knowledge to recognize the symptoms of certain illnesses or injuries. Having a basic understanding of what to look for can help you identify what is wrong and respond faster to the situation with the right course of action.
Take someone’s temperature.
Knowing how to take someone’s temperature correctly and identifying what a ‘critical temperature level is’ could save a life. It can clue you into whether or not they have a medical condition, an infection, or sunstroke that could cause them to feel sick or become fatal.
Know how to check someone’s breathing and heart rate. Knowing how to check someone’s breathing and heart rate is an important skill and takes time to get right. Finding a person’s pulse can be extremely difficult, even for professionals in some cases.
Abnormal heart rate and breathing can be indicators of several conditions requiring different actions.
Perform CPR. Knowing how to perform CPR is also an important skill. Life or death can hinge on CPR being provided correctly or ineffectively.
In most cases, a person who knows how to perform basic First Aid can be enough to treat most medical emergencies initially. However, in some cases, it is best to contact 000 to get emergency services and medical assistance as soon as possible.
The Importance of Learning First Aid
If you’re interested in volunteering with an organization that provides First Aid, or your child wants to become a doctor, maybe you want to know what you’ll be able to do to help someone in their time of need, then taking a First Aid course is perfect for getting a feel for what a job in the healthcare professions involves.
There is so much more to First Aid than having a First Aid kit in your closet. First Aid knowledge allows you to help someone in their time of need, and no two situations will ever be the same. One day you might need to treat a sprained ankle.
The next one is a child playing a sport who receives a baseball to the head and falls unconscious. Kids fall off bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, and out of trees. Well, the active ones do.
The indoor hermits are more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome and suffer from dry, itchy eyes and lousy posture that causes headaches, migraines, back and spine injuries, and soft tissue problems. Do you treat it with heat or cold, rest or movement?
It really is time to quit with the excuses and get yourself booked onto a refresher First Aid course today!
Where to Learn First Aid Skills
There are a lot of places that offer First Aid training, but only a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) can provide you with nationally accredited recognition and certification. That is not to say only people who have certificates can give CPR.
ANYONE can provide CPR if they know what they are doing or can be guided and verbally or visually instructed by someone who does when it comes to saving a life.
If you want to save money, you can find training courses online. You can also look for local classes in community centers or sporting organizations near you. You can also take your training to the next level and build on your current qualifications.
This is a great way to show employers and others that you are serious about your First Aid skills, knowledge, and training.
What Are You Waiting For?
First Aid is the initial treatment of an accident or medical emergency. This can include things like knowing how to stop bleeding, how to treat a broken bone, how to take someone’s temperature, and what to do for poisonings or allergic reactions.
If you know how to perform basic First Aid, you can help save a life or prevent serious injuries from becoming fatalities. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at it.
Volunteering in a First Aid organization is also a fantastic way to meet new people and make new friends with similar interests. So why are you procrastinating? Get online and book yourself onto a First Aid Course today!