Introduction

What is First Aid?

First aid is the assistance given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury,with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and/or promote recovery.

It includes initial intervention in a serious condition prior to professional medical help being available, such as performing CPR whilst awaiting an ambulance, as well as the complete treatment of minor conditions, such as applying a plaster to a cut.

First aid is generally performed by the layperson, with many people trained in providing basic levels of first aid, and others willing to do so from acquired knowledge.

There are many situations which may require first aid, and many countries have legislation, regulation, or guidance which specifies a minimum level of first aid provision in certain circumstances.

This can include specific training or equipment to be available in the workplace (such as an automated external defibrillator (AED), the provision of specialist first aid cover at public gatherings, or mandatory first aid training within schools.

First aid, however, does not necessarily require any particular equipment or prior knowledge, and can involve improvisation with materials available at the time, often by untrained persons

 

 

 

Can you save a life? In an emergency, when every second is criticial, would you know what to do?

According to recent statistics sudden cardiac arrest is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death in America. Once the heart ceases to function, a healthy human brain may survive without oxygen for up to 4 minutes without suffering any permanent damage. Unfortunately, a typical EMS response may take 6, 8 or even 10 minutes.

It is during those critical minutes that CPR can provide oxygenated blood to the victim’s brain and the heart, dramatically increasing his chance of survival. And if properly instructed, almost anyone can learn and perform CPR.