Effective first aid skills and information are critical in saving lives!  Often times you only have a few minutes to act. Being prepared and knowing what to do will increase your chances of success. It is important to note, that the best way to get a good outcome is to attend a first aid course, in fact, we believe that everyone should attend the Apply
First Aid course, you just never know when you’ll need it...

Not all of us will have taken a first aid course. There are basic guides and books for first aid to assist those who don’t know what to do, to be able to help an injured or sick person, until a trained first aider or medical/ambulance officer arrives.

Here are some tips to make sure you pick the right guide:

The first aid guide that you purchase should be complete enough that it gives good information on most first aid incidents, but it should be simple enough that even the layperson can read and follow it easily. The best kind of first aid training guide will offer step by step directions with pictures.

In every first aid guide, you should find solid background information and action plans for the following first aid situations as a minimum;

1. Legal issues in first aid
2. An overview of anatomy
3. Guidelines for the assessment of the first aid situation and casualty
4. DRSABCD
5. Defibrillation or AED
6. CPR
7. Management of the unconscious casualty
8. Management of respiratory emergencies such as; anaphylaxis, asthma, smoke and gas inhalation, choking, croup, hyperventilation
9. Management of bites and stings

10. Management of bleeding and trauma

11. Management of burns and scalds

12. Management of medical emergencies

The first aid guide should also explain the reasons why certain actions are accomplished. Once again, it is really important for the guide to be well organised and easy to follow for those who may be very nervous or very uncertain of themselves.

Typically, a person who is using a first aid guide is doing so because they are in a situation that is unfamiliar to them. They are not well trained in first aid and are trying to accomplish a single task in order to save a life or prevent further injury. These people are normally very uncertain, may be very nervous and will not be completely prepared for the situation that they are in. First aid guides must give clear and succinct information that is able to be followed very easily, even by someone who may be under a lot of stress. Images are also helpful in order to guide them through the actions they must take as they are easier to follow in moments of high stress or whilst rushing.

Your first aid guide should offer methods of rapid assessment as well as the interventions that must take place if these things are not present.

As mentioned earlier though, there is no better way to learn a practical skill, such as how to apply first aid, than through practical, face-to-face training. So you should consider getting your first aid certificate through a competent training organisation as soon as you can.

First aid saves lives!