First aid courses can take many different shapes and sizes depending on your organization and the type of people you’re targeting. Some may focus on more general first aid knowledge as a group of people who might not have had any training before, while others will be more specific and focused on a certain type of first aid situation. However, there are some injuries that are covered in most, if not all, first aid courses: burns, bites, stings, wounds, fractures, and drowning. For many of these more basic scenarios, knowing what to do and when to do it can be enough to save a life. The rest of the injuries are more specific and require different skills and knowledge to be helpful. But even for those, knowing the basics can be helpful in getting them the medical attention they need as quickly as possible.
Burns
One of the most common injuries that is covered in most first aid courses is burns. Depending on the severity of the burn, the person receiving the care may need to be rushed to a hospital for further treatment. The person providing the care should first make sure that the burn is not life-threatening by checking for signs like breathing difficulty or loss of consciousness. Once that is done, the first aid course recommended care will depend on the type of burn that the person sustained.For a first-degree burn, the person should be kept at a cool temperature by using cool water or putting the area in a cold environment (e.g. a fridge or freezer). For a second-degree burn, the person should be kept at a cool temperature and also be given oral or intravenous (IV) fluids to flush out the toxins.For a third-degree burn, the person should be kept at a cool temperature and receive oral or IV fluids to flush out the toxins. If these methods are not working, the person should be transported to the hospital immediately.
Bites and stings
Bites and stings can be incredibly dangerous depending on the type of insect or animal that bit or stung the person. There are some common first aid tips for bites and stings that can be helpful in stopping the venom and getting the person to a medical facility as soon as possible. If possible, remove the insect or animal with a pair of tweezers. Wrap a piece of gauze or a bandage around the bite or sting to help control the blood flow and prevent the person from getting an infection. If a bandage is not available, the wound should be covered with a thick layer of clothing, as fabric is less likely to allow bacteria to enter the wound than the skin is. If the bite or sting is on a body part that covers a lot of skin, like the leg or arm, put a tourniquet above the bite or sting to help stop the blood loss.
Wounds
A wound is another injury that is commonly covered in first aid courses. Depending on the type of wound, it may be simple to clean and disinfect the injury without needing to go to the hospital. The person providing the care should first make sure that the wound is not infected by looking at the skin around the wound. If there is no redness, swelling, or pain, the wound is unlikely to be infected. If the wound is not infected, the person providing the care should clean the wound with soap and water, then apply a disinfectant like hydrogen peroxide or a baking soda and water mixture. If the wound is a deep cut or laceration, the person should clean the wound and then cover it with a sterile bandage.
Fractures
Fractures are another injury that is commonly covered in first aid courses. Depending on the type of fracture, the person providing the care may need to splint the injury or apply an ice pack. Splinting an injury is a quick way to apply pressure to a fracture and reduce the risk of further damage. The person providing the care should first make sure that the injury is not life-threatening by checking for signs like breathing difficulty or loss of consciousness. If the injury is not life-threatening, the person can splint the injury by placing the injured part in a splint. Splints are typically made from fabric or wood, but can also be made from bandages or towels. An ice pack can help reduce the swelling and pain caused by a fracture, but should be applied for no longer than 20 minutes per hour.
Drowning
Drowning is a severe injury that can be fatal if not treated quickly. Luckily, first aid courses cover how to assist someone who is drowning and how to prevent it in the future. If someone is drowning, they can be helped by pulling them to the surface of the water to give them air. The person providing the care should not try to climb under the water with the drowning person, as they are likely to drown themselves instead. If the drowning person is not a child, the person providing the care should also not use any kind of device to lift the drowning person to the surface (e.g. a float). The person providing the care should be careful not to allow the drowning person to get water in their mouth or nose, as this can lead to permanent damage or death.
Conclusion
First aid courses can teach people how to provide initial care until professional help arrives, or how to keep themselves safe until help can arrive. No matter what type of first aid course is being offered, it should cover the most common injuries that occur in everyday life. These injuries include burns, bites and stings, wounds, fractures, and drowning. With the right information, anyone can be prepared to help someone in need.