Why Should I Learn First Aid?

Saturday 13th September is World First Aid Day, a global event dedicated to encouraging us all to learn some first aid, either through our working roles, as volunteers or as individuals.

It’s easy to think that you’ll never need first aid, that someone else will know what to do, or that you don’t have the time, but you never know when first aid skills may be needed. 

Emergencies can happen anywhere — at work, at home, at sports events, or in your local community. Recent reports in the news have shown us how quick-thinking bystanders performing CPR or helping a choking casualty have saved lives.

At Help! First Aid Training, in County Durham, we believe that the more the merrier applies, when it comes to first aid skills. The more people who know even some basic skills, the safer our workplaces and communities will become.

Here’s five reasons why you should look to learn some first aid today.

First Aid Saves Lives 

It sounds dramatic but it’s fact, first aid skills can save lives. 

Most of us would be able to call 999 if confronted with an emergency situation but what about the minutes before help arrives? 

Knowing how to perform CPR, how to put someone into the recovery position, or how to treat anaphylaxis... this knowledge could potentially save someone’s life.

First Aid Skills Can Boost Your Confidence

First Aid isn’t just about life and death scenarios; it’s also about minor injuries such as a cut or graze, a bump on the head or removing a splinter. 

Having some first aid skills in your pocket can help you feel more confident in dealing with minor injuries with your children, or caring for a loved one with a health condition. 

Learning what to do if your child has a fall, or if a loved one has asthma or diabetes, gives you the confidence to act calmly and correctly. Instead of panicking, you’ll know exactly what to do.

First Aid – A Chance for Personal Development and New Opportunities

Whatever your age, it’s always good to do something for yourself and to learn a new skill. 

Why not spend a day learning some Emergency First Aid? 

• If you’re job hunting, it will stand out on your CV.
• Your qualification could also lead to other opportunities, such as volunteer sports coaching, or helping out at events and festivals in your local community and beyond.
• You will learns skills that will be valuable for life. 

First Aid Skills Reduce Recovery Time and Assist Health Professionals

Quick, accurate first aid can make a huge difference to someone’s recovery and help to prevent serious complications;

Minimize damage – knowing how to immobilise a fracture can prevent a more serious injury occurring.

Reduce the risk of infection – cleaning and dressing a wound effectively can prevent infection creeping in.

Control pain and swelling – knowing how to cool a burn quickly, or to reduce the swelling of a sprain not only makes the casualty more comfortable but can also help the body to concentrate on recovery.

Preventing deterioration – putting a casualty into the recovery position or knowing how to control bleeding can stabilise an emergency situation until professional help arrives.

Assisting health professionals – when you pass key information on to health professionals — such as what happened, what you did, and how the casualty responded — you help them to give the best possible treatment in the least possible time.

First Aid Skills Can Prevent Accidents 

First aid training also improves your awareness of hazards.

On a course, you’ll learn to identify risks at work, home, and in the community. For example:

• Spotting a trip hazard before someone falls.
• Keeping fire exits clear.
• Reporting unsafe conditions to your employer.

Preventing accidents is just as important as knowing how to respond to them.

Have we convinced you? Book Your Training Today

If you’d like to learn more or book a course, we’d love to hear from you!

We run regular open courses at our Shildon Business Centre in County Durham, and we can also deliver onsite training at your location. We cover Bishop Auckland to Billingham, Gateshead to Guisborough, Spennymoor to South Shields and everywhere in between.

If you're an employer in the construction industry, don’t forget — CITB grants may cover up to 70% of your training costs.

Email: info@helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk 

Call us: 01388 417303
Website: www.helpfirstaidtraining.co.uk
CITB Info: www.citb.co.uk