First Aid Training: Navigating Emergencies For Outdoor Enthusiasts

When one thinks about the adventure that comes with outdoor activities, we sometimes forget about the importance of safety and first aid training, and the role it can play in having a better overall experience.

In a country like South Africa, rich with wildlife and lush natural landscapes, there is much to explore. From hiking or biking along endless stretches of rock and shrubbery, to canoeing or skiing on one of our many dams, the options are endless for those passionate about the outdoors.

But because these adventures generally happen in areas where access to professional emergency care is limited, there is a certain level of danger that is part of the experience. In this article we will examine a number of core first aid principles, and also look at the education EMCARE can afford you.

The Importance Of Safety In Outdoor Activities

When preparing for any outdoor adventure, from beginner to extreme, there are precautions we all should take to ensure our safety. This could include wearing a helmet when cycling, using a walking stick when crossing uneven terrain, or simply applying sunscreen and bug repellent before venturing outside. Everyone makes some sort of effort to be cautious and prepared, but what about when the unexpected happens?

One wrong move could result in falling off your bike, tripping over a rock or even an accidental drowning. Too few people know how to deal with bleeding, open wounds, twisted or broken limbs, or administer CPR.

Being able to administer and understand basic first aid should be an essential skill for everyday life, we never know what we may encounter on an adventure, or during everyday life. Accidents can happen anywhere, and when we can't prevent them, we can prepare for them.

Apart from learning basic first aid, it is also beneficial and important to build a first aid kit that you can have in your car, home, and carry with you on outdoor adventures to equip you with the supplies you need in case of an incident. It is also a requirement for workplaces to have a first aid kit.

First Aid Training: Building A First Aid Kit

The contents of every first aid kit may vary depending on the individual and their lifestyle as well as medical history and needs, but many first aid kits carry the same or similar emergency items or supplies. These include:

• Antiseptic Wipes, Gauze And Bandages:
  
  In case of falls, cuts and grazes. These items can be used to disinfect and dress wounds.
  
  
• Sterile Gloves, Scissors And Tweezers:
  
  These tools ensure a sanitary treatment as well as cut clothing off or remove debris, thorns or splinters if necessary.
  
  
• CPR Mask:
  
  This is an essential tool in performing CPR and allows for the delivery of oxygen to the patient in a much more effective and safe manner.
  
  
• Emergency Blanket, Whistle And Water Purification Tablets:
  
  Essential to those who become lost or stranded in the outdoors and far from civilization. The whistle is used to alert for help and is far more effective than the human voice.
  
  
• Ointments And Medication:
  
  This varies on each individual, but it is important to carry your personal medication, as well as antihistamines, pain relievers and antibiotic ointment when exploring nature. Included in this list, and highly recommended is also sunscreen, lip balm and bug repellent.
  
  This is not an official list, simply basic recommendations based on outdoor activities. Before embarking on any outdoor adventure, we advise researching the area and activity along with the necessary supplies to include in your kit.

Levels of First Aid Training

EMCARE offers multiple levels of first aid training to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to assess and handle a variety of emergency situations with confidence and precision. As the levels increase, so does the severity of the emergency or injury being treated. Here is a brief overview of the levels and what each entails:

• Basic First Aid Training:
  
  Also referred to as a first aid refresher course, this course covers the fundamentals of emergency treatment, and trains you on how to approach a vast variety of injuries. At entry level, you will learn how to perform CPR, treat and dress burns, fractures and wounds as well as how to handle bleeding. The course also highlights the legal and ethical implications involved in these situations and how to approach them.
  
  The scenarios and injuries covered in this training happen every single day, and knowing how to handle them could mean the difference between life and death, making EMCARE's basic first aid training an invaluable tool to anyone who completes it.
  
  
• First Aid Level 1:
  
  This course teaches participants how to perform and administer first aid in emergency situations, complete with theory and practical studies. Upon completion, participants will know how to perform emergency first aid, having been trained by registered medical professionals.
  
  
• First Aid Level 2:
  
  This course dives into the details, teaching participants how to deal with specific and complex medical situations including paediatric care and two rescuer CPR. Participants will learn how to approach and handle medical emergencies logically and strategically.
  
  
• First Aid Level 3:
  
  This is the most advanced level of first aid training and is recommended for a range of leaders in different fields. This includes individuals working in dangerous or hazardous environments, team leaders, security personnel, teachers and educators, emergency first responders and lifeguards.
  
  First aid training level 3 teaches how to deal with emergencies that include water related incidents and even emergency childbirth. These are situations that the everyday individual is unlikely to encounter, but those in certain environments are more likely to be faced with. First aid level 3 is also ideal for those living in isolated areas, far away from medical centres and assistance.

Adventure And The Importance Of First Aid Training

From dressing wounds, sprains or breaks caused by falling, to administering CPR at the time of a medical emergency on a hiking trail, there are many instances where having this training would be needed. If you are ready to embark on your own first aid training, whether for outdoor adventures or to prepare yourself to step up in a time of medical emergency, then EMCARE has the course for you.

Visit their website today to find your nearest branch and select the course most suited to you.