Medical emergencies can arise at any time, anywhere. Whether it happens to you or someone around you, it is always wise to be prepared to take action. Learning basic first-aid can save the life of a loved one, a coworker, or a stranger. In any case, it feels good to know that you were able to help someone come home safely to the people that they care about!
Everyone could benefit from learning basic first aid skills. Some people need training for their jobs. Some don’t. But one thing is for sure – the more people who are prepared for an emergency, the safer the world becomes. Today, we are going to help you get started gaining the knowledge you need to be a hero to someone in need. Stick around!
What is first aid training?
First aid training covers every common type of emergency that the average person could witness or experience out in the world every day. These emergencies include:
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Choking
- Bleeding and shock management
- Different types of sudden illnesses and injury
- Seizures
- Snake bites
- Burns
- Diabetes
- Allergic reactions
- Heat and cold emergencies, including hypothermia prevention
- Child abuse and neglect
Chances are that you’ll witness or experience one of these situations in your lifetime. First aid classes teach you how to deal with these problems and come up with quick medical solutions to give people the chance to avoid further injury or even death. Some of these solutions include:
- Poison control
- Pool safety
- Childproofing a home
- Dealing with bloodborne pathogens
Even “basic” first aid training covers a wide array of situations that most people do not know how to handle effectively and safely.
Why is first aid training important?
Simply put, first aid training is important because it helps others, but consider that a lack of first aid knowledge could harm you personally. If you are incapacitated, you may still be able to speak. If you can do that, you can share that first aid knowledge with bystanders and, in turn, have a better chance of recovering from whatever happened to you.
And if you couldn’t speak… well, I’m sure that you would want someone around you to be able to save your life. That’s why everyone should have basic first aid skills.
Which occupations use first aid certification?
Some of you may need first aid certification to keep your job but, even if it isn’t required, anyone working in hazardous conditions should know how to handle an emergency. If you work in any of the following industries, you should start your first-aid training ASAP!
- Any occupation that requires individuals to be CPR and first aid certified to meet OSHA guidelines, i.e. medical professionals
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Forestry
- Transportation
- Foster care
- Hotel staff
- Restaurant staff
- School teachers/coaches
- Electricians
- Security
- Home healthcare
- Childcare
The chances of running into a situation where you need first aid skills in these occupations are higher than those who work in regular office jobs, though emergencies can certainly happen behind a desk or in a cubicle.
What are the pros and cons of getting basic first aid training?
Still not convinced that you need basic first aid training? Take a look at some of the pros and cons and decide for yourself.
Pros of getting basic first aid training
- You save lives. You may never need to put your first aid skills to use but, if you do, you could save a life! Who knows? You might even be the person who saves a future president or someone who will go on to cure cancer! Wouldn’t that be cool?
- You can save yourself. Knowing what to do if you get injured can buy you more time until you can get help. Who knows? You could be that person who goes on to cure cancer or accomplish something that changes the world. We need you here!
- You get a little smarter. No one should ever stop learning. If you get nothing else out of the course, you learn a little bit and can brag to your friends about your skills.
Cons of getting basic first aid training
- You have to spend a little money. Unless you only have $40 left to your name, though, paying for a first aid course isn’t going to hurt you. So, this is really only a downside if you have an extremely tight budget.
- You’ll have to give up a few hours of your free time. We get it – classes can be boring and first aid isn’t going to interest everyone. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important to learn. Besides, unlike most of the things you learned in high school, first aid has obvious real-world applications.
I think we can all see that the pros of getting CPR training outweigh the cons, right?
Where to get basic first aid training
Many people aren’t sure where to go to learn basic first aid skills. This is understandable; these days, less emphasis has been placed on being prepared for emergencies. We have more technology and access to more resources than we did decades ago. Everything is available on-demand, including emergency services.
At least, that is what we’ve come to expect. In reality, everything isn’t as accessible as we think, especially in rural or low-income areas. If disaster strikes and emergency personnel are spread too thin or far away, it is up to you to help the person next to you.
One great thing about modern technology is that you can actually get this training from the comfort of your own home if that’s what you want! Thanks to the internet, you can take online classes for first aid, CPR, and just about anything else you might want to learn more about.
ProCPR classes from ProTrainings cover first aid and CPR for all ages as well as classes that give healthcare providers the tools they need to be real-life heroes. You don’t have to rearrange your busy life to make room for a slot in a physical class with a limited schedule and you don’t have to drive across town to sit in a smelly classroom, bored out of your mind.
Taking an online basic first aid course helps you make your own schedule and set your own pace for classes. ProCPR’s first aid course involves:
- 2 hours, 56 minutes of video training
- Knowledge reviews
- Downloaded material for studying
- A final test
- Remedial help if you need it
- A final certificate
You get all of the benefits of regular classroom instruction while being in your pajamas with the time to ask one-on-one questions. Instructors in classrooms that are packed to the brim are simply not going to have the time to give you that extra help you need. You don’t have to pay for your first aid class until you pass and need your certificate! You have nothing to lose by getting your first aid certificate, but someone out there does if you can’t help them when they need you.