The first response in any emergency is to provide the necessary first aid for injured person while waiting for the emergency medical services.
First aid is used to help preserve the lives of victims of specific health emergencies. If left unattended, the victim could lose their lives.
Different types of injuries and health emergency situation require distinct first aid procedures. Some of these cases include cardiac arrest, heart attack, drowning, choking and excessive bleeding.
When choosing first aid certification classes, you can take in-person or online classes. However, the covid 19 pandemic has made online courses more of a necessity than a choice. This is due to the need for social distancing and restriction for movements.
Since first aid and CPR certification programs are now available online, participants no longer attend physical classes. While every other aspect of human life has been affected by Covid 19, health continues to be more relevant than ever.
Why is it important to have basic first aid knowledge and skills for everyday situations?
Basic first aid knowledge and skills are important for everyday situations because accidents and injuries can happen anywhere. Knowing how to respond to an emergency can help save a life, prevent further harm, and comfort the injured person until professional help arrives.
What are some examples of everyday situations where first aid skills can be crucial and how they can make a difference?
Basic first aid knowledge and skills can be crucial in everyday situations such as choking, cuts and bleeding, burns, fractures, sprains, and cardiac arrest. Knowing how to perform first aid properly can prevent further harm, promote healing, and potentially save a life. Examples include performing the Heimlich maneuver, controlling bleeding, cooling and covering a burn, immobilizing a broken bone, properly wrapping and supporting a sprained joint, and performing CPR, and using an AED.
How can knowledge of first aid help in emergencies at home, in public, or at the workplace?
Having knowledge of first aid can help in emergencies at home, in public, or at the workplace by providing immediate care, reducing injury severity, promoting safety, providing reassurance, and increasing workplace safety. Basic first aid training can help people recognize potential hazards and take preventive measures to avoid accidents and injuries. It can also reassure the injured or ill person that helps is on the way. Overall, knowing how to perform first aid properly can prevent further harm, promote healing, and potentially save a life.
5 Reasons Why First Aid is Important in our Life
Whenever a loved one becomes a victim of these emergencies, you will do all you can to save their life. However, you wouldn't help the victim without the necessary skills, and if no help is offered, the person could die. For this reason, you need to enroll in first aid and CPR certification courses to be conversant with different methods of handling these types of emergencies to help persons with various injuries and health emergencies.
1. It prevents the escalation of illness or injury
First aid also helps prevent injuries from worsening. When provided with the proper first aid, the individual has a better chance of survival since the extent of damage is contained.
For instance, in a case of bleeding, the victim is at risk of losing excess blood and going into shock or dying. Therefore, when faced with a medical emergency where the victim is bleeding excessively, you must act quickly to stop the bleeding and save the victim's life as a responder.
The same applies to victims of burns. When the appropriate help is provided, the extent of the injury is contained. Snake bites are other health emergencies that must be controlled appropriately to prevent the poison from spreading to the rest of the body quickly before specialized help arrives. Spreading the poison throughout the body could lead to extensive organ damage and death in severe cases.
The responder needs to know how to handle these sensitive cases, as improper care could cause the victim to die, cause more complications, or worsen the injury.
2. It promotes recovery
First aid helps in fastening the recovery of the victim. This is one of the significant reasons why victims of different health emergencies require first aid. In other cases, the victim does not require further medical care when first aid is provided. It applies to minor injuries such as cuts, abrasions, bruises, and sprains.
First aid saves many medical bills when the victim no longer needs specialized medical care. Also, when the damages are kept at a minimum, the victim spends less time in the hospital undergoing treatment. When wrong first aid is provided, the injury is likely to worsen, more money goes into the treatment, and the injury takes longer to heal.
3. It provides pain relief
One of the reasons why first aid is necessary is to control pain. Injuries come with intense pain, which causes the victim a lot of pain. Therefore, these victims must be kept in a comfortable position whereby they experience less pain. The victim is left in less pain and suffering when proper first aid is provided. A first-aid-trained person would know how to best handle a victim in distress, regardless of the type or nature of the injury, to help prevent suffering.
4. It protects the unconscious
When victims of different emergencies need to be protected when unconscious. This is because the victim is defenseless and unable to communicate. You also need to understand the victim's condition to offer the necessary help. The information is more critical for the medical emergency response teams. It helps them assist the victim faster, improving their chances of survival.
5. It saves lives
Many lives are lost to health emergencies that could have been managed through proper first aid. Also, specific health emergencies are critical and could easily lead to death. However, research has gone into first aid procedures to ensure they are less costly using locally available materials. However, this does not make these procedures less effective in saving the victim's life.
When left unattended, victims of some severe life emergencies could lose their lives. For instance, appropriate first aid is essential in sudden cardiac arrest, where the victim requires immediate CPR. Immediate first aid is also critical in cases of excessive bleeding, asthma attack, and choking.
When these emergencies occur, the person close by is the only source of hope for the victim's survival. For this reason, it becomes crucial for everyone to be equipped with first aid skills to save lives.
What are the Different Types of First Aid?
When health emergencies occur, the responder must act first to determine the type of emergency and the appropriate solution. There are different first aid procedures, which vary depending on the type of emergency and the age of the victim.
Wounds
Wounds result from injuries that cause the skin to open or tear up. The first aid for wounds depends on the cause of the injury and its severity. These injuries can result from injuries by fire, hot objects, and fluids. Wounds could also occur from falls, cuts by sharp objects, and piercings. When providing first aid for damages, you need to assess the cause. Always remember that injuries can quickly get infected and must be handled with care.
Fractures and sprains
Fractures are cases of broken bones, while sprains occur from the injury of ligaments and tendons located within joints. Fractures are more severe and require should be treated as health emergencies. On the other hand, Sprains often heal on their own following a simple first-aid procedure and require less medical attention. Fractures are very painful and will sometimes require medical diagnosis through an X-ray to establish. You, therefore, need to pay special attention to such an injury to avoid further damage.
Animal and insect bites
An animal bite needs to be treated by trained medical personnel. Some animal bite injuries could be fatal depending on the type of animal and its health status. Insect bites can also lead to poisoning as well as an allergic reaction. The first aid procedures vary depending on the type of insect or animal.
Heat-related illnesses
These are injuries that occur from extreme temperatures. It could be extreme heat, heat exhaustion, or extreme cold (hypothermia and frostbite). Also, there are different first aid procedures for either.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CPR is a critical life-saving technique for cardiac arrest and choking victims. The procedure involves chest compressions and the use of the AED. The method for performing CPR is covered intensively in CPR certification and AED classes.
In CPR, the rescuer uses chest compressions to maintain blood circulation by providing an artificial heartbeat to the victim. The AED device is used to restore regular heart activity. Both of these procedures are critical in cardiac arrest cases. The faster they are performed, the better the victim's chances of survival.
Most training institutions cover standard CPR with rescue breathing, hands only CPR and AED under the same certification program. Just like first aid certification, CPR and AED certification is available online and open to all.
What are some common misconceptions about first aid, and how can education and training help dispel them?
There are several common misconceptions about first aid, including
- Tilting the head back during a nosebleed
- Applying ice directly to a burn
- Sucking out the venom from a snake or insect bite
- Giving a person experiencing a seizure something to bite on.
Education and training can help dispel these misconceptions by providing accurate information on performing first aid properly. Training can also help individuals recognize the signs and symptoms of common injuries and illnesses, understand the importance of seeking professional medical help, and become confident and competent in performing first aid, potentially saving lives and preventing further harm.
What are the benefits of having a basic first aid kit readily available, and what items should be included?
The benefits of having a basic first aid kit readily available include responding to emergencies quickly and effectively, promoting safety and preparedness, and potentially saving lives. Items that should be included in a basic first aid kit include bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, scissors, tweezers, gloves, and a first aid manual.
How can first aid knowledge and skills improve personal safety and prevent injuries from occurring in the first place?
First aid knowledge and skills can improve personal safety and prevent injuries from occurring by enabling individuals to identify and mitigate risks, preventing injuries from happening in the first place, and providing a prompt and effective response in the event of an emergency. Having first aid knowledge and skills can lead to greater confidence and empowerment, ultimately improving personal safety and control over potentially dangerous situations.
What are the psychological benefits of knowing first aid and being able to help others in need?
Knowing first aid and being able to help others in need can have several psychological benefits, such as increased confidence and empowerment, reduced anxiety and stress, a sense of purpose, and increased empathy and compassion toward others.
How can first aid training and education be incorporated into school curricula or workplace training programs?
First aid training and education can be incorporated into school curricula or workplace training programs through curriculum development, certification programs, practical training, regular training and refresher courses, and collaboration with first aid organizations. This ensures that individuals have the knowledge and skills to provide immediate assistance in emergency situations, potentially saving lives and preventing further harm.
How do advancements in technology and communication impact the importance of first aid skills in daily life?
Advancements in technology and communication have impacted the importance of first aid skills in daily life in several ways. Mobile devices and apps can provide step-by-step instructions for emergency first aid procedures, while social media can be used to disseminate information during crises quickly.
Additionally, wearable technology and other monitoring devices can detect and alert individuals to potential health emergencies. However, it is important to note that technology cannot replace the need for human intervention and first aid skills, as prompt action can be crucial in emergency situations. Therefore, it is still essential for individuals to possess basic first aid knowledge and skills, regardless of technological advancements.
What are some resources and organizations available for individuals who want to learn more about first aid and its importance in daily life?
Many resources and organizations are available for individuals who want to learn more about first aid and its importance in daily life. These include online courses and tutorials, first aid manuals and guides, local training programs offered by organizations like the Red Cross, and workplace training programs. Some popular online resources include the American Heart Association, St. John Ambulance, and the National Safety Council. Additionally, many community colleges and vocational schools offer first aid and CPR courses, and some workplaces may offer employee training programs.
Conclusion
First aid and CPR procedures are essential for victims of different health emergencies to increase the chance of survival of the cardiac arrest victims while waiting for the emergency service . For this reason, everyone should enroll in certification programs that are readily available online.
CPR and First Aid training provide the individual with basic skills for attending to different health emergencies and confidence, which is essential in providing medical assistance. Since there are no minimum qualifications to join the programs, they remain open for all, regardless of age and educational qualifications.
References:
- American Red Cross. (2021). Why is first aid important? https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/why-first-aid
- American Heart Association. (2016). CPR and first aid skills can save lives. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2016/06/17/cpr-and-first-aid-skills-can-save-lives
- National Safety Council. (2021). First aid and emergency preparedness. https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/first-aid
