Why A First Aid Course Can Work For Anyone

In today’s world with the many risks, potential accidents, or general ill-health that occur on a daily basis on all fronts, a First Aid course is something that everyone should truly undertake. By completing a First Aid course, that person would have learnt how to identify different medical emergencies, understand how to treat them, and – most importantly, have practiced how to attend to a situation that requires medical attention.

First aid courses are practical and hands-on, giving people the required skills and confidence to deal with situations in the real world. Via EMCARE, there are a number of different First Aid training courses available, so people can choose from basic courses to far more involved and specialised ones. Choosing the right First Aid course will give you the knowledge and competence to assist should a medical emergency occur.

When a medical situation arises, it can take time for emergency services to arrive. For example, the average time it takes for an ambulance to arrive in a life-threatening situation is over 7 minutes and this does not allow for the places that are perhaps outside of a main city centre, however, it can take only 4 minutes for a victim to pass away from a heart attack. By acquiring the skill in a First Aid training course to administer CPR, it means one can prolong life until paramedics arrive, increasing the chances of recovery and survival.

It is obviously not just heart attacks and the ability to perform CPR that benefit someone who has done a First Aid course, but a host of other emergency situations as well. A blocked airway can cause serious problems in 3-4 minutes. Loss of blood, choking, shock, and a variety of other medical emergencies can be fatal. From burns to diabetes, cuts to chemical contact.

Why Everyone Should Complete A First Aid Course

By providing the right treatment, the consequences of a medical emergency can be minimised. Knowing what to do in a range of medical situations is vitally important and doing a First Aid course can quite literally mean the difference between life and death. Here are just a few reasons why First Aid training is important for every individual.

1. It Usually Happens To Someone That You Know
   
   As we all know, accidents and injuries sadly don’t just occur to strangers, it is usually to somebody closer to you. According to the SA Heart and Stroke Foundation, every hour, five people have heart attacks in our country. Another interesting statistic is that 80% of cardiac arrests occur in the home or a domestic setting.
   
   This makes First Aid training even more necessary as it is more than likely that if you are required to perform CPR or other urgent medical care, it will be on someone you know. That casualty could be your partner, parent, child, business colleague or close friend. The course will thereby provide you with the ability and knowledge to act fast and to give your loved ones life-saving First Aid.
   
   
2. We Never Know When An Accident Could Be Just Around The Corner
   
   An accident can happen at any place and at any time and we all know that the future is uncertain. One only needs to gauge the daily news highlights to see that recent news accidents and injuries occur across the everyday nature of our lives. You could be driving a car, relaxing at home, playing sports, dining out at a restaurant, on holiday or at work when misfortune may strike.
   
   Some of these injuries can be quite serious, including heart attacks, fractures, choking, wounds and many more. Accidents can and do happen to ordinary people and usually when we least expect it, so a First Aid course helps counteract and provide much-needed assistance with First Aid training.
   
   
3. In The Workplace
   
   Depending on the type of industry one is involved in, many companies will require that employees are trained and certified and have a First Aid course under their belt. This can be anything from teaching and au pairing, sports coaching, and construction to outdoor activities such as safari guiding. As such, these workplace First Aiders are required to complete a nationally accredited training course like the courses EMCARE provides.
   
   By completing a course in First Aid, one can improve your opportunities to secure a new job or meet the requirements of an existing position that may require one to have these qualifications. Completing this course will also improve your overall employability and job prospects.
   

4. Quick Responses Save Lives
   
   How quickly and efficiently one acts in a critical caregiving crisis usually makes all the difference to the outcome. Most serious accidents, illnesses and injuries require immediate care. Whilst having a First Aid kit handy is a great idea, there is very little to no time to read First Aid instructions. With a First Aid course behind you, you have the ability to put these life-saving steps from memory into action. You have the skills and knowledge to be able to react quickly and efficiently in the event of an emergency.
   
   
5. Improved Survival Skills
   
   Following an accident, the first few moments are paramount. In fact, those first few minutes following the casualty are the most critical and many times are the difference between life and death. If a patient receives immediate and quality CPR and defibrillation, their chances of survival improve dramatically. In some cases, early CPR and defibrillation can produce survival rates as high as 75%, which is a massive percentage. This further proves that a First Aid course will prepare you to provide these life-saving techniques and improve the outcome for someone that has been injured or under a health threat.
   
   
6. Greater Confidence To Deal With The Situation
   
   When one is usually confronted with an emergency, most people are overcome by fear and anxiety and may panic. In most cases, people are more afraid of doing the wrong thing than the right one as they do not have the skill set to properly administer help.
   
   Completing a course in First Aid provides the opportunity for people to learn exactly what to do and be able to overcome any of these fears. The training they receive will enable them to react with greater confidence and self-assurance in the unfortunate event of an emergency and very possibly save a life.