You are considering taking a first aid course so you can take better care of your family in the case of emergencies. You know a few of the steps to take in some situations, but are uncertain as to how to deal with major happenings. Taking these courses will have you well on your way to becoming a knowledgeable first responder to medical issues with your spouse or children. If you are still debating whether first aid courses are worth it, here are some benefits to knowing first aid.
Being Proactive
One of the greatest benefits of first aid training is that you learn to think ahead and foresee what could happen to yourself or a family member in the environment that you are in. While in the mountains, you may be hiking and decide to pack ointment for poison ivy in your first aid kit. At the beach, the first thing you decide to take is sunblock to prevent the burning rays from ruining delicate skin. Bandaids are a necessity at the playground and park. You make a point of packing flares in your kit in case you or another motorist is in an accident. Remembering to carry a first aid kit wherever you travel can prevent problems before they even begin to make themselves apparent.
Isolated
You may need to be educated on first aid if you are far from any kind of help or assistance. You may be on vacation and camping in an isolated park or on a faraway beach. Your car may break down in the middle of nowhere. Your home may be on a farm which is miles from the nearest hospital or clinic. You never know when you are going to be in a situation where assistance is miles away, so having the skillset to deal with medical emergencies could be extremely useful in case you ever run into one of these emergencies.
In a Situation Where Time is Critical
The most important time to have first aid skills is when time is of the utmost importance. A family member may be bleeding profusely, and a tourniquet may need to be applied as quickly as possible. A child may be choking and help must be administered in a matter of seconds to prevent death. Individuals with burns who are treated immediately have a much better chance of recovering and having less scarring. A toddler who drinks a poisonous substance may only have minutes for you to react. Incidents of heart attack and heart failure need immediate attention as well. With an ACLS certification, you would be prepared to administer aid to those who are unconscious, possibly due to a heart attack or heart failure.
Knowledgeable of the Victim's Medical History
You may find yourself in a situation where one of your family members is injured or becomes very ill. Knowing this person's medical history and having first aid training will make you the very best person to handle this situation. For example, if a young relative passes out on a hot summer day, most would probably presume that he had heat stroke. But a person having some knowledge of the child would know that he is a diabetic. Cooling this child down may not be the only solution. Orange juice or another anecdote that works with his condition would likely be more beneficial.
Taking first aid courses and becoming proficient in administering this aid can be priceless in the right situation. While others may stand aside and wait for medical personnel to arrive, you would have the skillset to begin handling the issues, resulting in a much better long-term outcome for the victim. You would even have these qualifications to put on an application or resume, making yourself much more marketable than the average individual.
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