A first aid course is meant to be more than just a tick-off list of things to do in an emergency situation. It should teach you the rationale behind different treatment methods and the importance of each one, not just tell you what to do.A good first aid course should equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for helping others in life-threatening situations until professional help arrives. It should also include information about how to prevent some common injuries in the first place by following a few simple practices. Unfortunately, most first aid courses are just the opposite of what people need. They’re often too general, too brief and too focused on “scenarios” that don’t reflect real-life conditions.In this article, we’ll take a look at why first aid courses aren’t what they could be and how you can find a better one.
Why are first aid courses so bad?
There are a number of problems with the typical first aid course. For one, they’re usually too general. They’re usually not specific enough to be helpful in any given circumstance. They often focus on specific conditions or diseases rather than broader topics like how to treat wounds, how to prevent frostbite or what to do in a drowning situation.They’re also usually too short. While a one-hour course might be fine for people who are just getting into first aid, it’s probably too skimpy for people who already have experience.Most first aid courses ignore the importance of prevention. They don’t tell you how to avoid getting hurt in the first place, or why you should care about doing so.If you’re taking a first aid course because you want to be more involved in first aid work, it’s likely that you don’t need to go through a formal course – or even read any materials. You’ll probably just want to find a group of people who share your interest and talk to them regularly.
What should a good first aid course cover?
Good first aid courses should include the following:- An explanation of why first aid is important- An explanation of why each of the different types of first aid is useful- An explanation of how to perform each type of first aid- An explanation of how to recognize when someone needs first aid- An explanation of how to help someone who is experiencing a traumatic injury- An explanation of how to help someone who is experiencing a non-traumatic injury- An explanation of how to help someone who is experiencing a substance-related injury- An explanation of how to help someone who is experiencing an environmental injury- An explanation of how to help someone who is experiencing a psychological injury- An explanation of how to help someone who is experiencing an unknown injury- How to recognize when you need more help than you can give yourself- How to recognize when others need more help than you can give them- How to recognize when you or others need immediate professional help- How to recognize when you or others need transportation to get help- How to recognize when you need to call 9-1-1- How to find first aid supplies- How to safely store first aid supplies- How to dispose of first aid supplies- How to recognize when someone is trying to deceive you with their injuries- Why you shouldn’t treat yourself if you’re injured- How to take care of yourself after you’ve been injured- How to prevent injuries in the first place- How to recognize when you need to be treated for an injury- How to find the nearest source of professional help if you need it.
Tips for finding a better first aid course
The first thing to check is the certification of the person leading the course. This might be a doctor, a registered nurse, a paramedic or another person with first aid training. Make sure that person is trained in this specific type of first aid and not just anyone who happens to have a few hours to spare at a community centre one evening.You might also want to find out if the course is public or private. Public courses tend to be more general and less tailored to your specific needs. They’re also more expensive, so they’re often used by professional organizations or employers as a requirement for certification.Private courses, on the other hand, tend to be more customized and tailored to your specific needs. They’re often much cheaper than public courses, too. While you’re at it, you might also want to check if there are any nearby organizations or groups that offer regular first aid sessions.
Taking advantage of online resources
If you don’t already have a first aid kit, you might want to consider investing in one. It’s a good idea to have a few supplies on hand at all times, especially if you work in an industry where you’re around other people regularly.If you don’t have the funds for a full first aid kit, there are a few online stores that sell basic kits. Amazon, for example, sells a first aid kit that includes everything you need to treat common injuries. You can also find kits at medical supply stores.If you don’t have the money for even a partial first aid kit, you can still use the Internet to find useful information. You can search for videos, podcasts and blogs that cover topics related to first aid. You can also find online forums where people share tips and tricks for helping others who are injured.
Bottom line
The first aid course you choose should be tailored to your specific needs. It should give you the tools you need to help others in times of crisis, and prevent injuries in the first place.It should also be short and to the point. You don’t have the time or the energy to spend a long time learning how to treat different conditions. A 20-minute course is ideal for first time takers.