The Importance of First Aid

Whilst we don’t ever want to think about things going wrong, unfortunately accidents do happen and often when we least expect them. Whether it happens to you, someone you’re with or you happen to be a bystander, it’s an unpleasant and often upsetting experience. Here are some reasons why everyone should receive first aid training:

• If an accident happened while you were at work, you would not have to be a helpless bystander. Not taking immediate action can make a situation worse, so it’s vital to know even the basics of first aid to help out until an ambulance arrives.

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• First aid consists of the first help a victim of injury or illness receives and only includes simple techniques that can be carried out by anyone until professional medical help arrives.
• A knowledge of first aid helps to provide able people with the power to assist initially in emergency situations. For example, if someone swallows a harmful substance, has a heart attack or is knocked over, a first aid becomes more than a witness or bystander but can take immediate action.
• First aid techniques ensure that correct methods of help are given straight away. Did you know that it only takes 6 minutes for the brain to die from lack of oxygen? Those first few minutes are absolutely crucial to a person in need of medical assistance. This is why many events and venues hire trained medical response personnel when large numbers of people will be attending to supply Event Medical Cover. If you need outdoor medical cover contact us OMS

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• Knowing basic first aid also benefits the first aider individually. They will have more confidence and greater knowledge in how to help others as well as themselves in the event of an emergency.
• Whilst all members of the public should receive such training, certain people have a greater necessity for such training. Those who look after or supervise children should know how to administer first aid. Those who work in nurseries, playgroups and as au pairs or nannies should be able to immediately assist a child or baby in medical need. Life guards will find this a mandatory part of training.
• A variety of businesses will require that their staff have some basic emergency first aid training, depending on the manner of work and job specifics. High-risk environments, such as factories and industrial sites should be given training.
• Sadly, accidents will always occur and it’s for this reason that as many people as possible should be provided with the knowledge to act right and act quickly in the event of such an occurrence. Without this fast response, a simple injury could turn into something worse. Unfortunately, too many people are still dying due to a lack of immediate medical assistance. First aid does so much more than aid recovery, it is crucial to saving many lives every year.