In a highly unpredictable world, there is a very thin line between a minor incident and a fatal accident. As such, this responsibility and outcome often rest on the shoulders of the nearest bystander. The following article is going to discuss the benefits of first aid training and how, when equipped with professional instruction, EMCARE empowers individuals with both the technical and psychological skills to manage an array of first aid emergencies.
Furthermore, we will explore how the different tiered level of first aid certification equips learners with the knowledge of workplace safety compliance and general safety techniques. Finally, we will make a case for why choosing a partner like EMCARE is a vital investment for any organisation or individual who wants to make smart safety decisions in fast-paced and ever-changing home and professional environments.
The First Responder: Moving From Panic To Action With First Aid Training
We’ve all been in the situation where something unexpected happens, perhaps a car gets rear-ended while you’re stuck in traffic, or a sudden oil fire starts in an overcrowded kitchen. Whatever the emergency, the largest barrier to saving a life is not a lack of equipment but rather going into a “freeze response”.
While a very natural and understandable reaction, as the brain becomes flushed with cortisol and adrenaline, cognitive tunnelling or, in more severe cases, complete paralysis can occur. This can be mitigated, however, with adequate first aid training. Having this skillset can set you up for successful psychological intervention against this freeze reaction. EMACARE makes this possible through simulating high-pressure scenarios which occur in real life.
Further, life-saving techniques of psychological preparedness to engage muscle memory are introduced. This key transition from frozen bystander to active responder is the primary goal of EMCARE’s first aid training courses.
A Tiered Approach To First Aid Training With EMCARE
As with any progression with a new skill, such as first aid, the idiom “Rome wasn’t built in a day” holds true. Moving through competency levels takes time, and as such, EMCARE has carefully designed their courses following a tiered approach to ensure that a good foundation from which to upskill first aid proficiency. Understanding these different levels is also very important in deciding which certification is right for your unique needs.
In the following section, we will outline 3 first three aid training options, including First Aid Level 1, First Aid Level 2 and the First Aid Level 3 Course. Beginning with the essential foundation, First Aid Level 1 is the baseline for workplaces and homeowners who want to maximise on office and domestic safety preparedness.
In this course, you will cover some key fundamentals like CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, wound and burn management and choking prevention and intervention. As a starter course to first aid, it teaches essential skills required to assist in almost any emergency.
For a more intermediate first aid training, First Aid Level 2 is the preferred choice. This course serves to bridge training gaps between basic care and more advanced intervention techniques. Level 2 will prepare you to deal with more complex scenarios, including joint and bone injuries and more severe environmental emergencies like heatstroke or hypothermia. This course is a particularly good choice for people working in high-risk industries like construction and manufacturing. Here, the nature of an injury can often be particularly dire and traumatic.
The First Aid Level 3 Course is specifically designed for advanced first aid where people are operating in largely high-risk sectors like mining or maritime. This course operates as a kind of “pre-paramedic” certification covering essential life-saving interventions for instances such as emergency childbirth, injury management and advanced stabilisation techniques.
Furthermore, trainees will be taught to care for a patient over an extended period of time in the hopes of stabilising them long enough for an ambulance to arrive. This is especially important in remote South African locations where it may take some time for emergency personnel to respond or reach that specific location.
CPR, The Golden Hour And The Science Of Survival With First Aid Training Courses
A core component of good first aid training is to learn how to perform CPR. As such, the medical community often refers to this as the “golden hour”, which is the space of time immediately following a traumatic injury or cardiac incident. Here, immediate and adequate medical attention is needed in order to prevent death.
For example, if the heart stops for a prolonged time, the brain can begin to suffer irreversible damage. However, if caught early, within the first four to six minutes, performing CPR and using a defibrillator can buy precious time for the patient and prevent a fatal incident.
For further information regarding the latest scientific developments and protocol for resuscitation in a South African context, we highly recommend you check out the information provided by the Resuscitation Council of Southern Africa, where they offer evidence-based guidelines to support professional first aid training providers.
Meeting South African Standards Of Compliance And Competence With EMCARE
Aside from the huge advantage gained in first aid training for the preservation of life, in South Africa, this certification can often be a legal requirement. For example, the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) clearly demarcate a need for companies to ensure a certain percentage of trained first aid personnel. Thus, meeting this legal requirement outlined by the Department of Labour is necessary for business compliance and operationality.
Having a certification is only one box ticked; however, it is still in the hands of the employees to implement the correct emergency first aid. This is why EMCARE ensures that its instructors are often active or former emergency medical professionals who can bring real-world experience into the classroom.
Choosing EMCARE for your first aid training is making the conscious decision to bypass cognitive freeze and become an active participant in the preservation of someone else’s life. Enrol in one of EMCARE’s courses today so that you don’t end up in the position where you are forced to realise the importance of preparedness. Empower yourself and save a life today.
