Why do first aid training when looking for a job?

Those who practice in medical and emergency healthcare are not the only ones who need first aid training in order to qualify for a job position. There are several ways in which going taking part in first aid training can benefit you ( as well as those around you), and one of those reasons happens to be that the qualification looks good on your belt when you enter the job market. In just a few minutes of reading, find out which South African job occupations need basic first aid training as a requirement for consideration.

Start small with first aid training

Most of the jobs on the upcoming list do not expect you to have mastered the nuances of first aid, and for this reason you should focus on forging new skills with entry-level first aid training courses, such as the Basic First Aid course and the First Aid Level 1 course.

The Basic First Aid Course:

Burns, wounds, CPR, fractures, bleeding, legal implications, ethics and more are included in this basic course, allowing the participant to bolster their skill set and gain skills that may become the meaning between life and death in the worst case scenario. This course is frequented by groups like families and schools, and while covering the basics mentioned above, offers a relaxed and casual atmosphere for learning. This course has a duration of 1 day.

First Aid Level 1 Course:

Completing the First Aid Level 1 course is what will grant you the certificate or qualification that some companies will require before you are employed by them. If they require higher levels, level 1 is the starting point to levels 2 and 3. In this course, the basic course mentioned above is included, and an element of practicality comes in when participants must perform the skills they are hearing about such as CPR. This course has a duration of 1.5 days.

Which jobs require first aid training?

Now that you know a bit about the two entry-level first aid training courses that could set you on your way to achieving and succeeding (only under emergency conditions) in your new job, you may be interested to find out which exact jobs require these qualifications.

Childcare workers

Perhaps one of society’s most important occupations, those in charge of providing childcare are justifiably expected to have a good knowledge of first aid theory and practice. Babysitters, teachers, nannies or day-care employees fall into this category, and must be fluent in basic first aid training in the case of an emergency. Some frequent emergency situations when it comes to children involve CPR as a result of falling into a body of water, choking on food or small objects, cuts and burns.
Having first aid experience is even more applicable when teaching a large group of children, where the likelihood of emergency incidents occurring is much higher. In this light, large groups of children visiting adventure centres or annual school camps will be placed under the care of camp counsellor or facilitators. If the former is a position in which you may be interested, it is advisable that you seek training in first aid practices to strengthen your application.

Personal trainers and coaches

Pushing athletes to their limits is part of the everyday job for coaches and personal trainers. Sometimes, peoples’ bodies react in different, and often detrimental ways to their health. Excessive effort in exercising can lead to fainting, vomiting and injury during a fall. Sport related injuries are no rare occurrence, and for this reason most personal training and coaching jobs require basic first aid certificates and qualifications.

Construction Workers

Sometimes a hardhat just is not enough. When working with heavy power tools and machinery, not to mention large building material items that risk falling or shifting without a minute’s notice, it makes sense that some construction jobs require first aid training qualifications. The fact that the occupation is a high-risk environment makes having these life-saving skills completely understandable.

Firefighters

Perhaps one of the world’s most dangerous jobs, those who don firefighting apparel and plunge into the smoke to save the lives of others put their own lives in jeopardy on a frequent basis. Firefighters are usually the first personnel to arrive on scene. Burn care and CPR are some of the required skills, yet in order to snag this thrilling and hazardous job, you will need in depth first aid training and certification.

Electricians

When we really consider the menacing nature of electricity, we gain an appreciation of those who wrangle and work with it daily. We rely on it every day, and often forget how dangerous it is, despite the fact that it runs through the walls of our home and devices when we charge them. Fires, explosions, great falls and electric shock are a few of many emergency situations that electricians may find themselves faced with, which is why first aid knowledge is an absolute necessity for the occupation.

Flight attendants

With around 200 souls on board an airplane, at around 33 000 feet in the air, flight attendants need to be equipped to deal with the most severe and pressing of emergencies. There is never a guarantee that there will be a medical professional like a doctor, EMT or nurse aboard a flight – although that would be the best case scenario, so flight attendants must be prepared for the worst. First aid expertise is obviously a must in order to join this profession.

Law enforcement officers

Being in the enforcement occupation is a noble profession that comes with its own merits and concerns. Safety concerns among officers are of great relevance, since fighting crime is a dangerous duty, and situations often become volatile. Policemen carry a challenging responsibility, to attend to those they may have injured themselves in order to manage a violent situation. They wield this responsibility as both the weapon and the bandage, metaphorically speaking, and therefore a large portion of the job relies on the ability to be a first responder, as they may be called upon to save the lives of their partners, bystanders and even culprits.

Lifeguards

This occupation calls for expert knowledge in CPR and wound care. The ocean can be a dangerous place, and swimmers are often distracted by the beauty and rolling waves to the point where being dragged out in a riptide is not a consideration. This frequently happens, and therefore lifeguards must be equipped to deal with the fallout.
Ocean dangers are not limited to drowning. Injuries on rocks and sharp items in the sand are also frequent and require knowledge on wound care that a lifeguard must be equipped to apply and act upon. Lifeguards at pools must have the same knowledge, as excited swimmers often underestimate the shallowness of a pool and as such can incur severe head trauma and injury.

Jails and correctional facility employees

In prisons and jails, correctional employees are more often than not, first responders in emergency situations. High levels of angst and restlessness, typical for jail environments, commonly result in fights breaking out – one instance where first aid knowledge is extremely important. In another light, prisoners may face any other health crises that need to be catered for if there are no in-house doctors or nurses available.

Social workers

Social workers habitually come into contact with people who find themselves in difficult predicaments, many with mental health challenges and who have experienced certain traumas at some point or another. This is not to mention the poor physical health these people may be experiencing. For this reason this occupation calls for basic levels of first aid training.

Other jobs that may demand first aid qualifications

• Nursing home employees
• Scuba, hiking, skiing guides
• Security guards
• Dentist and assistants
• Gym employees.

Testing the first aid risk of a workplace

If you are an employer or business owner, you should be aware and cognisant of the risks associated with the nature of your business or premises. In doing so, you may make first aid training requirements for a certain proportion of your workforce necessary. Ask yourself:
• Is this workspace high or low risk? (in other words, what type of work is being done on the premises?
• How big is the employee base?
• How far is the work place from emergency facilities like hospitals?
Workplaces like construction sites or maintenance warehouses are considered high risk. If your workplace fits the above descriptions, it is advised that there are several employees who are well-versed in first aid practices (to the appropriate level). For smaller workplaces such as offices or salons it may not be necessary at all to demand first aid experience as an employment condition, however this is entirely up to you as an owner and facilitator.

All about first aid kits

Having employees well-versed in first aid, but with no first aid kit available is a great disadvantage in the case of emergency. Every workspace, no matter the nature of the work being conducted must have one or more first aid kits.
Experts advise that for an employee base of less than 25, a small size first aid kit will suffice. For 25-100 employees, a medium sized kit will do, and for more than 100 employees, a large kit is required. First aid kits should be located in visible spots around the workplace. It is advisable that when introducing a new employee, facilitators should directly show them the location of the first aid kit, and the fire extinguisher for that matter.
If there are areas in the workplace that are more high-risk than others, you should consider keeping the first aid kit around that space. However, there is no right or wrong destination to keep the kit, yet you should make sure the location where it is installed is:

• Clearly visible
• Very easily accessible (to all employees)
• Is labelled with ‘First Aid Kit’ in big lettering

What should be kept in a first aid kit?

Store-bought first aid boxes usually come with your typical gauze, plasters and similar supplies. However, it is advisable to either purchase first aid kits from qualified medical emergency companies so as to ensure you are supplied with an extensive assortment of items.

If you wish to build your own first aid kit, especially in a high-risk environment, you should consider including the following items inside:

• Sterile and individually wrapped bandages
• Sterile plasters that are waterproof (in various sizes)
• Safety pins
• Alcohol-free cleansing materials and wipes
• Skin rash and burn cream
• Antiseptic liquids and creams
• Scissors
• Safety pins
• Shock blanket
• Disposable gloves
• Distilled water to clean wounds
• Insect creams for stings or bites
• A leaflet or emergency book that provides information and easy-to-understand emergency care (as not everyone using the kit will have had first aid training).