Health

Should first aid training be a mandatory life skill?

Accidents, medical episodes and injuries can happen at any time and anywhere. Knowing how to act in these moments can be life-changing for the patient, but not everyone knows what to do if something like this happens. The more people that learn first aid, the better it is for the wider community. At Paradise First Aid, we run comprehensive first aid courses that give people the necessary skillset and knowledge on how to act in times of need. Here is why we think everyone should learn first aid.

You could save a life

Probably the most obvious reason for learning first aid is that it can give you the confidence to act in a time of an emergency and this can be the difference between life and death in serious instances. Even in situations that aren’t life-threatening, knowing how to administer first aid to someone who needs it can help with recovery, minimise complications and reduce the risk of infection. The simplest of first aid techniques can make the biggest of differences when medical intervention is required no matter how minor or major.

Gives you confidence

Being in an emergency situation and not knowing what to do can be a very confronting and stressful experience. It can instantly induce anxiety and panic for all involved. Being first aid competent can give you confidence as a worker, as a bystander, and as a parent or caregiver. Having up-to-date first aid knowledge can give you the confidence to not only treat people but be able to identify potential risks that may pose a threat to you or other bystanders.

Ensures that safety is the first point of call

It’s important that safety is always considered when first aid is administered for both the patient, yourself and any other bystanders. If you go in to help someone without factoring in this crucial element, you could be putting yourself and others in danger. If this happens, you may not be able to help the person and might end up needing assistance yourself. A fundamental part of first aid is safety, and in a first aid course, you’ll learn how to prioritise this and ensure that your act of goodwill doesn’t come at the expense of your own well-being. Most people would instinctively help someone who needs it, and if you haven’t had proper first aid training before, being aware of your surroundings and addressing the safety of the situation may not even come to mind in a moment like this.

Can stop a casualties condition from significantly declining

In serious situations, a casualties condition can deteriorate quite quickly when no immediate medical intervention is actioned. The longer that they wait for medical help, the poorer the outcome is likely to be. When a first aider steps in and administers relevant first aid, this can help to stabilise the patient and prevent them from declining further until medical assistance arrives to take over.

Keeps the casualty calm and assured

Sustaining an injury or having a medical episode can be extremely frightening and when there’s no one around to help or the people around don’t know how to help, this can intensify these feelings further. This can cause them to panic, and it can make their condition considerably worse. Assuring them that you are there to help and that emergency services are on their way, can provide the person with a sense of comfort and it can keep them calm whilst waiting.

Should first aid training be a mandatory life skill?

To be frank, there are no disadvantages to knowing how to administer first aid, no matter your age. Even young children can benefit from learning basic first aid information, such as learning to call 000 and knowing their name and address.

While there is no rule saying that people must learn first aid (unless it’s for work purposes), there are so many benefits to doing so. A first aid course can be completed in a couple of hours, and the certification is relevant for 3 years. It can be done by anyone, and you don’t need to have any prior experience or skills to complete a first aid course. They are easily accessible and there are tons of first aid training locations all over the Gold Coast.

Where is first aid training compulsory?

For some industries and workplaces, undertaking first aid training Gold Coast is a matter of compliance in order to maintain employment.

Here are some common industries that mandate current first aid training:

  • Aged care sector
  • Childcare
  • Education
  • Welfare support workers
  • Health sector
  • Police
  • Disability care workers

Ready to learn first aid?

You don’t have to wait until you need to learn first aid, you can learn it anytime, after all, you never know when you may have to use it. It only takes a few hours, and it is affordable. There are usually courses available every day of the week, including nights and the weekends, making it easy to find one that suits your schedule. A first aid certificate is valid for 3 years so it’s not something you have to do constantly to maintain proficiency. If you’d like to complete a first aid course because you think it will be beneficial to your employment, why not ask your employer if they’d be willing to cover the cost or go halves? If your employer has made first aid training mandatory, they will typically cover the cost of the course for you on your behalf.

Whether you need your first aid certificate for work or not, it’s an advantageous life skill that can come in handy. You can save lives or at the very least, administer basic medical assistance that may just make someone’s experience less stressful and improve their outcome as a result of your efforts.

If you’re looking for a reputable first aid training company on the Gold Coast, look no further than the competent and friendly team at Paradise First Aid. We offer many training courses, first aid included, and we’d love to teach lifesaving skills that you can implement with confidence if you ever need to. Our first aid courses are nationally accredited and are face-to-face. Visit our website to check out our current classes, times and locations.

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