World First Aid Day was introduced by the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement in 2000. It is a global opportunity to raise public awareness of how first aid can save lives in everyday and crisis situations. In recognition of this day here are:
10 Powerful Reasons To Learn First Aid
1 – First aid saves lives
Basic first aid can mean the difference between life and death. A Red Cross survey showed a staggering 59% of deaths from injuries would have been preventable had first aid been given before the emergency services arrived.
2 – First aid can speed your recovery
First aid can have a huge impact on someone’s chances of recovery, and can mean the difference between them having a short term or more permanent disability.
3 – First aid reduces time in hospital
Early intervention with first aid can reduce the length of time the patient needs to stays in hospital.
4 – First aid prevents medical situations deteriorating
Knowing the basics of first aid can prevent a bad situation from getting worse. Consider a patient who is bleeding from a deep cut. Without intervention, the patient could suffer severe blood loss. By applying pressure using simple first aid techniques, you can prevent a medical emergency from rapidly deteriorating and stabilise the patient until further medical help arrives.
5 – First aid can reduce unnecessary visits to hospital
Not every accident ends up in hospital but still needs medical attention. Some injuries such as a bumped head, bruised knee or sprained ankle can be managed at home with basic first aid. First aid training also teaches you to prioritise injuries, giving the most seriously injured or ill the very best chance. As well as equipping you with the knowledge to establish whether someone needs further care and whether that care should be given by the GP, at a hospital or needs immediate paramedic intervention.
6 – Competent first aid can often reduce the amount of pain experienced by casualties
Knowing how to respond helps you stay calm in an emergency situation. Staying calm allows you to provide emotional support to the patient and help prevent them from panicking – which can often be a very effective form of pain relief. In addition, knowing how to physically move someone in pain, support their injuries and administer appropriate bandaging and dressings can also greatly reduce the amount of pain they experience.
7 – Crucial communication for the emergency services
Staying with the patient until the emergency services arrive to take over means you can convey vital information about how the patient sustained the injury or information about their condition. This information is vital to the emergency services for the effective treatment of the patient and can also aid the patient’s treatment and recovery.
8 – First aid increases awareness and reduces your susceptibility to accidents
Learning first aid and becoming alert to potential hazards and medical issues increases our health awareness and allows us to take better care of ourselves, our friends and families. It creates resilient communities and relieves pressure on healthcare services.
9 – First aid makes you feel empowered
Learning first aid will give you the confidence to act appropriately when an accident occurs. It is vitally important to deal with any life-saving injuries before reaching for the phone to call for an ambulance.
It is also very useful to know when and if to move someone following an accident and when they should be kept still.
10 – Be prepared for anything
None of us know what the future has in store for us or for our loved ones. Sudden illness such as heart attack, stroke, severe bleeding and breathing difficulties require immediate attention, which after a course, you will be well equipped to provide. First aid also equips you to deal with bleeding, burns, breathlessness, bites, shocks stings, splints and fainting so whatever medical situation life throws at you, you can respond effectively.
Adapted from a post written by Emma Hammett First Aid for Life. 11/09/2019
10 Powerful Reasons To Learn First Aid
1 – First aid saves lives
Basic first aid can mean the difference between life and death. A Red Cross survey showed a staggering 59% of deaths from injuries would have been preventable had first aid been given before the emergency services arrived.
2 – First aid can speed your recovery
First aid can have a huge impact on someone’s chances of recovery, and can mean the difference between them having a short term or more permanent disability.
3 – First aid reduces time in hospital
Early intervention with first aid can reduce the length of time the patient needs to stays in hospital.
4 – First aid prevents medical situations deteriorating
Knowing the basics of first aid can prevent a bad situation from getting worse. Consider a patient who is bleeding from a deep cut. Without intervention, the patient could suffer severe blood loss. By applying pressure using simple first aid techniques, you can prevent a medical emergency from rapidly deteriorating and stabilise the patient until further medical help arrives.
5 – First aid can reduce unnecessary visits to hospital
Not every accident ends up in hospital but still needs medical attention. Some injuries such as a bumped head, bruised knee or sprained ankle can be managed at home with basic first aid. First aid training also teaches you to prioritise injuries, giving the most seriously injured or ill the very best chance. As well as equipping you with the knowledge to establish whether someone needs further care and whether that care should be given by the GP, at a hospital or needs immediate paramedic intervention.
6 – Competent first aid can often reduce the amount of pain experienced by casualties
Knowing how to respond helps you stay calm in an emergency situation. Staying calm allows you to provide emotional support to the patient and help prevent them from panicking – which can often be a very effective form of pain relief. In addition, knowing how to physically move someone in pain, support their injuries and administer appropriate bandaging and dressings can also greatly reduce the amount of pain they experience.
7 – Crucial communication for the emergency services
Staying with the patient until the emergency services arrive to take over means you can convey vital information about how the patient sustained the injury or information about their condition. This information is vital to the emergency services for the effective treatment of the patient and can also aid the patient’s treatment and recovery.
8 – First aid increases awareness and reduces your susceptibility to accidents
Learning first aid and becoming alert to potential hazards and medical issues increases our health awareness and allows us to take better care of ourselves, our friends and families. It creates resilient communities and relieves pressure on healthcare services.
9 – First aid makes you feel empowered
Learning first aid will give you the confidence to act appropriately when an accident occurs. It is vitally important to deal with any life-saving injuries before reaching for the phone to call for an ambulance.
It is also very useful to know when and if to move someone following an accident and when they should be kept still.
10 – Be prepared for anything
None of us know what the future has in store for us or for our loved ones. Sudden illness such as heart attack, stroke, severe bleeding and breathing difficulties require immediate attention, which after a course, you will be well equipped to provide. First aid also equips you to deal with bleeding, burns, breathlessness, bites, shocks stings, splints and fainting so whatever medical situation life throws at you, you can respond effectively.
Adapted from a post written by Emma Hammett First Aid for Life. 11/09/2019
