Friday, December 7, 2012

What Are Reasons For Taking First Aid Or Life Support Courses

By Phyllis Ashford


There are many people whose jobs require that they take basic life support courses; but the truth is that everyone can benefit from knowing how to apply general first aid. In a situation where breathing has stopped, or when the heart has stopped beating, every second is critical. Knowing what to do, how to do it, and when to do it may save a persons life.

There are no prerequisites for becoming first aid certified. Classes are open to people of all ages, and are taught at all age levels. Taught by certified instructors, and usually sponsored by community centers, fire departments, and community centers, they usually offered free or at low cost. Basic first aid courses are also available on line.

Emergency treatment of insect bites, wounds, and burns are among some of the wide variety of first aid and safety subjects taught by such courses. Workshops on poison control and how to survive a natural disaster are also taught. Most classes teach how to recognize heart attack and stroke symptoms.

Children are also capable of learning the basics of emergency care. They may be taught the essentials of CPR, and even Automated External Defibrillator, or AED. Subjects of study for children also include wound treatment, basic wilderness survival, and fire safety.

Even the youngest of children can be instructed basic first aid and safety concepts. One way that they can be taught is through the playing of games. Children, who have some knowledge of emergency care techniques, are less likely to panic or become upset when they need to be applied.

Everyone should take a CPR class. The application of CPR may keep a patient from dying before qualified medical help arrives. CPR is also known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is used when a victims heart has ceased to beat or when breathing has stopped, to keep oxygen circulating and blood flowing through the body.

The application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation requires that approximately one hundred compressions to the chest be applied per minute. These compressions should continue until paramedics or medical practitioners are available to take over, or until the patient shows signs of movement. The American Heart Association recommends that even those who are not certified offer assistance through the administering of hands only CPR.

Knowing first aid for infants and small children is an essential skill for a first time parent or daycare provider. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and life support classes for infants and young children are taught separately from other emergency aid courses.

Giving CPR to an adult is not the same as administering it to an infant. The use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation on young children and babies requires different steps and so requires separate training. While everyone should learn both, it is a advised that all new parents, teachers, daycare providers, and anyone else who works with young children, should learn both.

Certification in the fundamentals of emergency care and life support is something that everyone benefits from. Taking life support courses elevates a persons confidence in their ability to administer such care if it is necessary. Knowing what to do and how to react helps to keep the provider calm and stop them from being overwhelmed.




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