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 A close-up photo of two pairs of hands. The pair of hands on the left is providing first aid by bandaging an outstretched right hand on the right side of the image.
Bandaging is a form of first aid assistance.

Emergency situations can happen at any time and anywhere. Prior to receiving expert medical assistance, emergency first aid is used to treat any injuries or sudden illnesses. The goal is to keep things from getting worse, shield people from more injury, promote healing, and save lives.

The Importance of First Aid

An emergency sign glowing bright red in the darkness of the night.
Emergencies are unpredictable, making first-aid an essential skill for survival.

An article published in 2018 aimed to discover the effectiveness of first aid training in emergency preparedness and response. It stated that immediate first aid response within 5 minutes of a disaster has an 85% survival rate. Delayed first aid lowers the survival rate; it reaches 72% at 15 minutes, 60% at 20 minutes, and so on. The immediate application of first aid during an emergency situation increases the survival rate by up to 20%.

What Exactly is First Aid?

A woman undergoing first-aid training. She is providing CPR on a training dummy.
Training for first-aid certification can be helpful in multiple situations.

First aid is the term for medical care that is typically given at the scene of the accident and as quickly as possible after it occurs. First aid typically includes brief, one time treatment and requires little technological or training assistance. Cleaning minor wounds, scrapes, or scratches, treating minor burns; bandaging and dressings; using over-the-counter medications; draining blisters; clearing debris from the eyes; massage; and consuming fluids to alleviate heat stress are all examples of first aid.

The Benefits of Learning First Aid

Obtaining knowledge of first aid will allow you to assist others in need.  You may help individuals in trouble while they wait for medical specialists to come, by learning how to respond to different scenarios through first aid certification training.  In addition to giving them the best chance for success, this also allows you the chance to positively impact someone’s life.

Be Ready for Anything

A large size first aid kit filled with various medical supplies.
Keeping a kit helps keep you prepared for emergencies.

First aid has two objectives. It first helps you spot the telltale signals that someone is truly in need of assistance, and it also gets you ready to react when seconds count. No matter where you are, at home with your family, at work, at the grocery store, or just engaging in recreational activities, an emergency can strike at any time. It might be as easy as dressing cuts and scratches appropriately, but it can also be a lifeline that keeps someone alive until aid comes. We should never underestimate the significance of first aid training.

Learn a New Skill

A photo taken from the neck down of a man utilizing the Heimlich maneuver on another man.
The Heimlich maneuver is a form of first-aid response.

Everyone can fit first aid training into even the most hectic of schedules. In just a few hours, you can have the knowledge and self-assurance you need to react to an emergency, take action, and, in dire circumstances, even save a life.

Your Resume Will be More Appealing

A runner on a track providing a fellow runner with first aid by wrapping a bandage around their injured calf.
First aid training helps to develop interpersonal skills.

Employers highly value training in CPR, First Aid, and other lifesaving and survival skills on resumes, even if they don’t require it. Enrolling in first aid training courses demonstrates your initiative in acquiring useful, life-saving skills.

Develops Confidence to Take Action

With a fundamental understanding of first aid, you will develop confidence in your skills and abilities regarding the application of first aid. First aid training allows you to reflect on yourself and your reactions, as well as those of others, in critical situations. This understanding will enhance your confidence in various situations.

Develop The Skill to Ease Other People’s Pain

A child is being provided first aid as a person off-camera places a colorful bandage on a wound on the child’s arm.
Certification and training can help develop interpersonal skills.

While not every accident, injury, or illness demands a hospital visit, this does not imply that they do not inflict pain and suffering on the patient.  When you know how to act, even if it’s just using basic techniques like applying an ice pack correctly or using the right kind of bandages, you’ll aid in reducing their discomfort. By staying calm and composed, you will offer emotional support, helping them to feel more secure and lessening their anxiety.

First Aid Resources

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world’s largest humanitarian movement. It is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

A photo of the flags/symbols of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement provides different types of first aid training.

This humanitarian movement is the leading provider and trainers of first aid globally. Their website provides numerous resources to help people become certified first aiders and ensures that trainees learn the latest science and best practices for effective first aid.

In Conclusion

 A first aid training certification class. Trainees are learning techniques from certified first aiders.
First aid training is a skill that provides various benefits not only for yourself but also for people around you.

Before professional medical assistance arrives, emergency first aid is vital for addressing injuries and illnesses. Studies indicate that providing immediate first aid within 5 minutes after a disaster leads to an 85% survival rate. First aid encompasses fundamental treatments such as cleaning small injuries, applying dressings, and using non-prescription medications.

By learning first aid, individuals can prepare themselves for any situation. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a prominent provider and trainer of first aid, offering resources for those looking to become certified first aiders.

Disclaimer

GulfPhysio.com and all of its content are for informational purposes only. All information is believed to be accurate at the time of posting and should NOT be taken as professional medical advice. Please seek a medical professional in the event of pain or injury.
Want to learn more about health, pain management, and disease? Then read our articles “Getting Your Head In The Game: An Analysis of Sports-Related Head” and “Clinical Conditions and Chronic Pain: Updates on the ICD-11”.

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