Have you ever found yourself in an emergency in which you are the only one who can offer assistance? With proper first aid training, you are in a position to follow the right first aid procedures and rescue the situation. You will be able to asses the situation and offer the right first aid as you wait for professional emergency help to arrive.
First aid procedures to follow:
What is the emergency?
The first thing you should know before you start giving any kind of first aid is to understand the emergency that needs to be handled. It is easy to mistake some of the symptoms, leading to provision of the wrong treatment. Such mistakes can be fatal especially in more dangerous medical emergencies. Thus, you should ensure that you have done thorough assessment to understand what you are supposed to do and the first aid procedures that need to be followed.
Calling for help
Since first aid provides temporary reprieve, it should not at any time be used to substitute professional assistance. Therefore, the most effective way to respond is to offer temporary assistance and at the same time call for more advanced and professional help. Ensure that when making the emergency call all the information given is clear to ensure that accurate treatment will be provided. If some extra hands are needed in the first aid, you can ask help from other people as well to ensure the situation is well managed before the professionals can arrive.
Look for probable hazards
Your instincts may make you to start first aid procedures without knowing the real cause of the problem. However, know that you may end up making the situation worse if you do not understand what may have caused the problem. Thus, first aid should never be offered if the hazard is not known. Make sure the victim is in a safe place and never move any broken body part in case of an accident.
Understand the scope of the emergency
You need to know the number of casualties and the severity of the injuries in order to understand the amount of help that should be offered. This information is also important as you call the emergency assistance in order for the professionals to understand the type of response needed and the number of helpers to be sent.
Always carry your first aid kit
Since emergencies can occur at any time, you need to have your kit ready either at home in your car or the workplace.
Where to Learn More?
Learn effective and safe first aid and CPR rescue techniques by enrolling in Canadian and American workplace approved CPR or first aid courses. These classes teach the importance of safety, protective equipment and the basic of providing aid to an unconscious or conscious victim.