Why First Aid is part of a healthy lifestyle
Knowing what to do in the case of a medical emergency is just as important as the choices you make to eat and live healthily.
Knowing what to do in the case of a medical emergency is just as important as the choices you make to eat and live healthily. But if you completed your first aid certification quite some time ago, it might be time for a refresher, especially with summer on the horizon and more time spent in the great outdoors.
Why you should update your first aid certification
It’s easy to think once you’ve completed your first aid certification, you’re set for good. But it’s not the case, and can be downright dangerous. As with any type of skill, if you don’t use it often, the details of exactly what to do may fade with time. Even those of us with the best of memories can forget – especially in the pressure of a crisis. Just like in the natural health world, advancements in techniques and treatments are continually made, too. To ensure you can administer first aid in the event of an actual emergency, it’s smart to keep your skills up-to-date by attending a refresher course regularly.
Do you know what to do in the event of a medical emergency?
If you’re in a situation where you or someone you know is in danger, it’s important to call emergency services or ideally get someone else to do this if you’re able to administer first aid. If someone has been seriously injured or there is an immediate danger that someone will be harmed, call 000 (or 112 from a mobile). In the case of an accident or emergency, you need to assess the situation and have the following information ready:
- The location of the emergency, including nearby landmarks
- The telephone number from where your call is being made
- What happened and how many people require assistance
- Condition of those people (i.e. are they conscious, breathing, etc.)
- What assistance is currently being given
Don’t hang up the phone until the phone operator says so, as they may require, or need to give you, more information. For less serious injuries, you can ask the operator (1234) to connect you to a local doctor or other emergency service if needed.
What essential first aid skills should you have?
You never know when an emergency could strike and you might be called upon to deliver emergency care to someone in need. Your being prepared could mean the difference between life and death for an injured person – it’s a huge responsibility. Here are a few first aid skills that everyone should know.
- Stopping heavy bleeding
- CPR and how to use a defibrillator
- Treating shock
- Dealing with hypothermia
- Knowing the signs of a stroke
When do first aid certificates expire?
Nationally accredited First Aid certificates stay valid for three years from the date the certificate was awarded. CPR refresher training should be completed annually. You can check your First Aid Statement of Attainment (certificate) for the date on which you completed the course. If you’ve lost or misplaced your certificate, contact the Registered Training Organisation where you completed your training for details.
How do I update my first aid certificate?
To keep your first aid qualifications current, it’s important to sign up for a refresher course within three years of getting your certificate. Real First Aid run public courses in Sydney and Melbourne and visit workplaces to organise group first aid courses. They passionately believe that you can’t compromise on saving lives which is why all of their trainers are professional paramedics, firefighters or critical care nurses with crisis management experience.
Real First Aid’s mission is to save lives by preparing people for the reality of emergency situations. They achieve this through realistic simulations that incorporate role-playing, props, fake wounds, flashing lights, sirens, smoke, odours and an answering service designed to simulate 000 calls. Want to find out more? Contact Real First Aid and find out how you can learn to save lives.
