First Aid Course: Why A First Aid Kit Is So Essential

Whether you've completed a first aid course or not, keeping a stocked up first aid kit in your home or office space is essential for ensuring safety. Accidents can happen anywhere at any time, which is why having a proper first aid kit at the ready makes such a difference.

When it comes to keeping you informed on health and safety practices and providing first aid course training, EMCARE has got you covered. As a training facility for aspiring firefighters and safety officers, promoting a culture of safety is at the heart of what we do.

In this quick read, we'll be breaking down why keeping a first aid kit is so important and how it can help in the case of an emergency.

Top 7 Reasons To Get A First Aid Kit

No matter the space, having a fully stocked first aid kit nearby makes a world of difference when it comes to handling accidents or emergencies. With a first aid kit, you can treat injuries more effectively and efficiently, which is especially important in a life or death scenario. To better understand the essential nature of first aid kits, here's a quick breakdown of the top 7 reasons that first aid kits are so beneficial:

Preventing Excess Blood Loss
If you've ever completed a first aid course, you'll know that incurring blood loss is extremely dangerous in the event of an emergency. Depending on the nature of the injury, extreme blood loss can have fatal or severe consequences if left untreated. While it is possible to stop bleeding with various materials, proper gauze and bandage equipment works wonders for preventing blood loss without causing excess mess or increasing the risk of infection.

Having Everything In One Place
Accidents are unpredictable and can happen anywhere, which is why it's important to always have the right equipment on hand. Whether someone suffers a burn injury in the workplace or your child incurs a nasty cut at home, a first aid kit provides you with all the necessary gear and resources you'd need to address a wide variety of emergencies. This way, you can be better prepared to handle any accidents that come your way without worrying about having the right equipment to help.

Treating Injuries Quickly
One of the first things you'll learn during a first aid course is that time is of the essence during an emergency. Aiding injured people during an accident could be the difference between life or death, which is why it's crucial that you act quickly. With first aid course training and a first aid kit, you can treat injuries incredibly fast and with great efficiency. If you've ever been in an accident, you'll know that even a single minute wasted can cause irreparable damage to people that are injured. Thankfully, a first aid kit offers instant care for common medical emergencies, allowing you to keep people in a more efficient way.

Being Compact & Portable
One of the greatest advantages of keeping a first aid kit is that it is incredibly compact, allowing you to take it with you wherever you go! As accidents can happen anywhere, taking the extra precautions to pack a first aid kit before venturing out can make a world of difference for keeping those around you safe. If you're one to travel frequently, especially for outdoor activities, you should always consider having a safety kit on hand. Whether you've completed a first aid course or not, be sure to keep a first aid kit with you while travelling.

Less Risk Of Complications
When injuries are left untreated or don't receive proper first aid, it can cause further complications in the future. During a first aid course, you'll learn that open wounds or injuries are highly susceptible to bacteria if left untreated, which could lead to serious infections. The best way to avoid this is by acting quickly and using an up-to-date first aid kit to treat those that are injured. That way, you reduce the chances of an injury requiring complex medical attention in the future by treating it immediately.

Relieving Pain & Preventing Further Injury
If an injury is not treated correctly or is left untreated, it could cause the wound to fester and worsen over time. The consequences of this range from mild to severe, with some cases resulting in serious infection. Additionally, incorrectly treating a sprained or broken bone could cause immense pain for the injured person or even cause them further damage. Whether you need splints, bandages or a burn relief medication, these supplies make it possible to prevent further injury and ease the pain of the victim before emergency services arrive.

Being A Helping Hand To Others
Whether you're supplying your personal home or office space with a fully equipped first aid kit, having the right supplies to handle emergency situations makes you better prepared to help those around you. Together with first aid course training, having a first aid kit at the ready enables you to help those that may be in danger, whether that be a friend, colleague or family member. Elderly people and children are especially susceptible to common injuries, so it may be wise to have a first aid kit nearby.

Final Thoughts

Whether you've completed a first aid course or have little to no knowledge regarding health and safety, keeping a first aid kit is always a must for promoting a culture of safety. From ensuring efficient first aid treatment to prevent serious health complications, the benefits of having a first aid kit span far and wide.

If you'd like to better prepare yourself for handling emergencies, you sign up for a first aid course at EMCARE's health and safety training facility. We go above and beyond to ensure that our first aid course training prepares you with the skills and knowledge to tackle real life emergencies. To find out more about our first aid course modules, visit our website or give us a call at 021 020 0773.