First Aid Training is more than just a legislated necessity; it is an essential aspect of making our communities and environments safer. One never knows when a serious health crisis may occur, whether it is a co-worker who collapses or an emergency in a public space. While we can always rely on emergency responders like paramedics, life-saving intervention is possible when the “everyday” person is equipped with the knowledge of how to act.
In the following article, we will discuss the importance of obtaining certification with EMCARE. With a plethora of courses to choose from, you will be equipped with the necessary tools required for first aid training and how it forms a fundamental part of preserving the lives of those around you.
Taking It From The Battlefield To A Basic Life Skill
First aid originally emerged as a discipline in the 1800s when soldiers began implementing necessary life-saving techniques to stabilise injured personnel until the doctors were able to arrive on the scene. Subsequently, this training was implemented in high-risk industrial settings like factories.
However, in the modern workplace, we no longer view it as an antiquated discipline only reserved for medical professionals, but rather as a basic public health responsibility that everyone should take on.
The widespread teaching of CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation was the real catalyst to encourage the widespread adoption of first aid awareness in the workplace. It created a useful, standardised practice of knowing how to implement a tried and tested method of first aid that everyone could learn.
Intervening In the Critical “Golden Hour”
The importance of adequate first aid training is paramount because in emergency situations like a heart attack or severe bleeding, minutes matter. In the case of an emergency, the first few minutes are the most critical, with the initial window often called the “Golden Hour”. This is named as such because it is the timeframe within which a bystander can manage to intervene and keep the individual in distress alive or stabilised until professional help arrives.
Overcoming The Bystander Effect
One never knows how you may act in the event of an emergency – whether you will go into functional freeze or into problem-solving mode. Having adequate emergency training helps to address this freeze by helping you overcome the bystander effect. This can be understood as a psychological block caused by confusion and fear in a pressing or dangerous situation.
However, with adequate first aid training, you will be provided with the tools to have a clear and prioritised set of rehearsed steps so that you can transform your fear into actionable knowledge. As a result, trained people are far more likely to be able to intervene in an emergency situation. To read more about the bystander effect and how it works, take a look at the following article, which outlines the psychological underpinnings of this phenomenon.
Addressing The Heart Of The Matter: Cardiac Arrest
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death around the globe. The survival of a cardiac incident is largely dependent on how fast a bystander is able to perform chest compressions. As such, individuals who are CPR trained are significantly more likely to be able to intervene and potentially save a patient’s life during a cardiac event.
Equipped with the necessary skills, you will become an immediate, decentralised first responder who forms a crucial link in the “chain of survival”. Additionally, training can cover other essential skills, such as knowing how to stop severe bleeding by using a tourniquet and clearing a blocked airway by administering the Heimlich manoeuvre.
Different Options For Varying Skillset Requirements
At EMCARE, as a leading reputable training provider, we offer different levels of first aid courses from basic first aid to advanced first aid training so that you can be best equipped to deal with any emergency you may face.
Course options include our Basic First Aid Refresher course with a duration of 1 day. Here, you are taught the fundamentals of first aid, including CPR, wound, burn and fracture care. We then have our First Aid Level 1 course, which has a 2-day duration, which is the general requirement for most workplaces. Here, you are equipped with broader emergency care and on-scene management.
Our 3-day first aid course is usually offered to mid-level supervisors and playground monitors, best suited to designated first responders. This is known as the First Aid Level 2 course. Our First Aid Level 3 course is designed for workplace supervisors operating in high-hazard environments such as mining and construction. This teaches first aid for complex scenarios and administering emergency oxygen.
With this tiered approach at EMCARE, we are able to provide nuanced training to all first aid personnel from basic to advanced skillsets so that you are equipped to deal with any emergency scenario. Visit a related article here, which further outlines the different first aid course options.
It Makes Business Sense Too
Another benefit to learning first aid is the surest way to provide a clear return on investment (ROI) for businesses. This is because it lowers costs, reduces liability and increases public health savings. The best way to keep these skills in good nick, however, is to keep practicing. This is particularly relevant for performing the correct depth and rate for chest compressions. Thus, mandatory and frequent recertification occurring roughly 1-3 years is essential.
The Digital Future Of First Aid
As our first aid technology evolves, the future of first aid training is moving more and more towards high-tech solutions. Examples of this include smart mannequins and sophisticated simulations, which allow students to receive real-time feedback on their technique. In turn, you are assured that your certification is genuine, demonstrable and most importantly, able to save a life.
Whether you need this certification as a work mandate or are just enthusiastic about learning life-saving interventions, sign up for one of EMCARE’s first aid courses today and transform yourself from a helpless bystander into an actionable hero.
