basic first aid

First Aid Can Save Lives

Administering first aid to a victim who is injured or ill can be the first step to saving that person’s life. It is important for everyone to have some basic first aid knowledge, since you never know when you might need to use it. The initial minutes after an injury or accident are often the most crucial. Since it can take some time for emergency services to reach a victim, those on the scene first can begin treatment while waiting for the professionals to arrive. Whether there is a need for CPR, shock treatment or immobilization of a potentially broken limb, the help that you can offer in the minutes directly following an accident can have a huge impact on a victim’s recovery.

First Aid Means Being Prepared

It is wise to always be prepared. First aid courses can train you to handle many emergencies that you could possible encounter. A first aid manual can be an invaluable resource when you are faced with a stressful situation and need some additional guidance. And first aid kits kept in your home and car can provide the tools and medications necessary for treating many injuries and illnesses on the spot. It doesn’t take that much time and money to prepare yourself for the bad situations that can arise, and once you have done your homework you can rest in the assurance that you will be able to handle any emergency that might come your way.

A first aid kit can be purchased as a complete set, or you can assemble one yourself with a waterproof box and a few essentials. A selection of bandages, antibiotic ointments and antiseptic towelettes can be used for most cuts and abrasions. Pain relievers, hot/cold compresses and roller bandages can be used for injuries to joints and muscle pain.

Thermometers, tweezers and first aid scissors are handy tools for a multitude of purposes. And for those weak stomachs, antidiarrheals, antacids and motion sickness medications are a must. Latex gloves, towels and ice packs are also good items to keep in stock, as are first aid remedies for outdoor ailments such as insect stings and sunburn. Keep a first aid kit wherever your family tends to spend a significant amount of time: at home, in the car and with your camping supplies. You can even purchase the most compact first aid kit to keep with your bicycle or in your briefcase.

While you may never need to use the first aid training you receive or the first aid supplies that you pack, the knowledge that you are prepared should an emergency arise can give you tremendous piece of mind – and might even help you save a life.

Guide To Red Cross First Aid Training

The Red Cross is a major medical association, which conducts many first aid courses for professionals and non-professionals alike. You can get a Red Cross first aid training certification during this summer vacation and be a helpful hand in need.

Enrolling For A First Aid Course

Red Cross first aid training courses can be in many different fields such as CPR, Industrial Accidents first aid training and so on. Depending on what your requirements are you can find a course with the Red Cross. Today, many jobs require you have a basic first aid training to be hired such as, crew members and flight attendants who need to have a first aid certification in order to get on board and that is because they all need to be able to provide a helping hand in case of any emergency.

Red Cross first aid training courses can take couple of weeks or a few months depending on the course you choose however, they are recognized worldwide and are extremely intense. You can also apply for an online Red Cross first aid training course should you not have the time to spend in traditional class courses.

Online courses are recognized as well but they usually will take longer than the traditional ones as you will only access them when you have time; some the exams will have to be conducted in local hospitals or clinics close to you but not online. Online courses are as competitive as the traditional ones just that you will complete them from the comfort of your home.

Online Red Cross first aid training have special forums which you will be able to access whenever you choose, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; you will also be able to chat with fellow students and professors as well when they are available.

Helpful Tip

Red Cross first aid training is highly recommended to everyone who wants to acquire the knowledge and expertise of being able to assist with saving a life in the time of need. First aid alone has saved millions of people as sometimes a few minutes counts before you can get professional help.

Many attend first aid training just because they have an ailing family member and they want to be prepared in case of an emergency. Heart attack alone can kill or complete matters ten folds if first aid if not being given in the first couple of minutes of the stroke or is the first aid id being given wrong.

Learn to save lives today and enroll in a Red Cross first aid training course. You will be able to understand your body better and those of others as well thus, leading a better richer life in the process.

Guide To Putting Together A Basic First Aid Kit

Accidents happen all the time or, better said, when you least expect it, therefore, you have to be ready to handle the situation when it occurs as, at times, your life may depend on it.

A basic first aid kit should be made available at all the locations you spend a considerable amount of time at, such as in your house, car or office. A basic first aid kit may not look like much, but in case of an emergency it can actually save your life.

Basic Items For A Basic First Aid Kit

The first thing to do for a first aid kit is to find a container that is moisture resistant and is clearly marked for all to notice as ‘first aid kit’. First aid kit boxes are available ready made, as well, in all drug and department stores or you can put it together yourself.

Here are the basic items that a basic first aid kit should contain at any given time in order to be able to be of any assistance in case of emergency: first aid manual, this is extremely important because there may be times when you are faced with a situation which you cannot resolve by yourself but you can help once you look up in the manual; gloves will help you keep both yourself and the wound you’re dealing with clean, sharp scissors to cut any cloth involved but with blunt nose so it does not hurt anyone in the process.

Sterile gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic cream, hydrocortisone cream, rubbing alcohol and pain killers are must haves in a basic first aid kit. There are more things you can add to it in order to make it complete for your needs such as your prescription medications and any other instructions that you think may help save your life in case of emergency.

Educate Yourself

When you have some time on your hands, and/or if there is anyone in your home with a specific medical condition, try and educate yourself in the area in case of any emergency. First aid in an emergency situation can save a life and can make you feel good to be the one responsible for such a good deed.

When you are not sure of a procedure, it’s better that you check rather than perform it the wrong way, especially if you are doing something really important such as CPR, which, when done wrong, can easily cost someone’s life or serious complications.

Basic first aid kits are meant to provide the basic help until professional assistance arrives, so, get your kit together and learn how to use it in case of emergency, you never know whose life you may have in your hands tomorrow or who may save your life with your well stocked basic first aid kit.

The Importance Of An Emergency First Aid Kit

Our health is the most important factor that we have to deal with everyday and, in order to do so, we ensure a clean environment at work and in our house. There are, however, many other factors that we don’t take into consideration everyday but for which we must be prepared such as an accident at work or in traffic. Anything can happen, therefore, you must always have an emergency first aid kit handy.

Prepare For The Worst

Prevention is better than cure they say and this is what an emergency first aid kit is designed to do. An emergency first aid kit should be placed in your home, car and place of work as well. If you have a serious medical conditions which will put your life at risk, in case of an accident and in lack of some medication, that is the first thing to include and mention in your emergency first aid kit.

The emergency first aid kits contain standard supplies of bandages, rubbing alcohol, pain killers, antihistamine tables, adhesive bandages of all sizes, disinfectant cream or spray, thermometer, scissors, gloves, safety pins and, if possible, a torch as well.

Where To Buy A Ready Made Emergency First Aid Kit

You can find emergency first aid kits in all major drug and department stores with all the required items included. There are different sizes of emergency first aid kits available as well to fit in your car, office drawer, handbag or bathroom closet.

You can also put together your own first aid kit or simply add to the existent one with other necessary items, which you feel you may need in case of emergency.

Helpful Tips

An emergency first aid kit can save your life or those of others who may be in need, therefore, take the time to put one together for all the places where you spend considerable amounts of time.

It is also essential you keep a first aid manual close by, as well, in case you may come across certain emergencies that you don’t know how to handle. All first aid manuals will have first aid help described for almost all types of emergencies.

In case you should be faced with a real emergency which you don’t know how to handle, the first and most important thing to remember is not to panic and then try to call for help should you not be able to figure how to help the person in need.

Meanwhile, if you ever have the chance and have free time on your hands, try and go through some of the basic first aid procedures which will come extremely handy in case you are faced with an emergency.

Feel Confident With First Aid CPR Certificate

You can have a greater feeling of confidence to help people once you have completed proper training and have a valid first aid CPR certificate to prove it. While many organizations offer the proper training, the hands-on final exam is what can give you the confidence to put your knowledge to practical use.

Fire departments, local hospitals, the Red Cross and many nursing schools offer basic first aid instruction and CPR classes, which can be completed in one day, and will provide certification as your abilities. A first aid CPR certificate may be required for certain occupations, but just knowing you can help in an emergency is a comfortable feeling.

There are three types of CPR to be learned including adult, children and infants. While the techniques are similar, there are significant differences related to the ages and the size, which make it slightly different. Pressure point and how much pressure to apply, for example, will be a little different.

Most first aid CPR certificates are valid for one to three years, and refresher courses will need to be taken if you plan to keep your skills sharp and up to date. Classes are available for children, beginning at about age five, which teaches them the basics, as well as how to play safely to avoid the risk of injury. Topics also include hygiene and health habits.

Online Course Are Also Available

There are a few companies that claim to offer first aid CPR certificate courses online, and will give a certificate at the completion of training however there is no hands-on testing to assure the participant has grasped the essential knowledge. These courses are designed for those who don’t believe they have the time to attend a regular class for the hands-on experience.

Teenagers who plan to offer babysitting services may be interested in first aid CPR certificate classes for their age group. This certification may also provide more job opportunities as parent will feel more comfortable leaving their children in the care of someone trained to handle emergencies. Some of the classes offered include handling emergencies, staying calm in the face of emergencies as well as CPR and basic first aid.

Many courses for adults also include training on the use of automated external defibrillators, in case of sudden cardiac arrest. Also, caring for choking victims, conscious or unconscious and rescue breathing is included. All of these lead to a one-year first aid CPR certificate, which can be comforting personally, as well as to your family and neighbors.

What You Need To Know About Administering Basic First Aid

First aid is the process of offering initial help to a person who is injured or sick and in need of immediate medical assistance. The key to successful basic first aid is subscribing to the old Boy Scout adage, “Always be prepared”. The first step of becoming prepared for an emergency is to learn how to give basic first aid if the need ever arises.

Fortunately, there are an abundant number of opportunities to learn basic first aid in most communities. Basic first aid courses will include how to stop a wound from bleeding, immobilizing a limb that might be broken, and giving CPR to a person who is unconscious. Choking, poisoning and when to call for help are also included in these courses. Once you have made your way through a basic first aid class, a manual should be kept in your first aid kit to refer to when necessary.

When In Doubt, Call For Help

While basic first aid training will help you to assess situations and determine what type of help is necessary, if you are ever in doubt about the severity of a person’s condition, call 9-1-1. It is far better to err on the side of caution in these instances than to attempt to administer basic first aid to a person with a life-threatening emergency. Once you have called for help, you can discern what you can do to make the victim more comfortable by applying your basic first aid techniques. It is always a good idea to keep a basic first aid kit in your home, and in your car, so that you are always prepared to help someone who is in trouble.

Your basic first aid kit should include medications such as pain relievers, antihistamines and stomach medications. Bandages of assorted sizes are an essential, along with other wound treatment like antibiotic ointment and hot/cold compresses. Outdoor kits should include supplies to treat insect stings, sunburn, poison ivy and heat exhaustion. Items to treat accidental poisoning, such as Syrup of Ipecac can also be included. Basic tools to have on hand are tweezers, scissors and a thermometer. With a good basic first aid kit, you will be equipped to handle emergencies from a minor cut or abrasion to a broken limb or possible concussion. For more serious matters, you should keep phone numbers for your doctor, pharmacy and poison control center in your basic first aid kit as well.