First Aid is the initial and immediate assistance provided to someone who is ill or injured, prior to professional medical help arriving. The main aims of first aid can be listed under “the 3 Ps” namely Preserving life, Preventing further injury or harm occurring, Promoting recovery of the patient.
While most people understand what First Aid is, not many know the history and where it originated. The first documented cases of first aid skills were related to warfare and the bandaging of battle wounds in Greece c.500 BC. The Roman army also had a first aid system and some soldiers called “capsarii” within the legions had the responsibility of bandaging the wounded. These days they would be known in the army as combat medics.
In modern times, the role of the first aider has expanded to include other skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using an automated external defibrillator (AED) and treatment of minor and major wounds and illnesses. Many countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), have legislation in place which specifies what the basic level of first aid provision in certain environments must be.
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 set out the important components of first aid in all workplaces in the UK that employers have a legal duty to provide for their employees. This duty includes: making an assessment to determine the particular work environment’s first aid needs appropriate to the hazards and risks; providing competently trained first aiders who hold the relevant up to date qualifications; selecting an appropriate first aid training provider to deliver the training for employees; providing sufficient first aid materials, equipment and facilities at all times; ensuring the employees are informed of the location of first aid facilities and equipment and who the first aiders are.
What are the different first aid training courses available?
The UK has 3 scenarios around which to choose a training provider. OHS Compliance offers regulated qualifications that are nationally recognised through an awarding organisation. All first aid qualifications are valid for a period of 3 years before the learner needs to retake or re-qualify the course. It is also recommended that the first aider attends annual refresher courses in order to keep themselves up to date with their skills and any changes in protocols.
Our 3-day First Aid at Work (FAW) course is a Level 3 award and encompasses skills such as CPR, the use of an AED and assisting a patient who has major injuries or illness such as anaphylaxis, spinal or chest injuries as well as covering many others.
The Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course is a 1-day Level 3 award and covers CPR, AED use, choking, external bleeding as well as hypovolaemic shock.
Paediatric First Aid (PFA) focuses on training personnel who work with infants and children. This blended learning Level 3 award meets the requirements that are outlined in the Early Years Foundation Stage and covers age-appropriate CPR, AED usage, choking and breathing difficulties as well as shock and assisting a child or infant with illness or injury.
Conclusion
People usually gain some basic first aid knowledge through life experiences, like bandaging a wound or applying pressure to a cut that is bleeding. However, it is essential that in order to provide first aid that is life-saving and effective, a recognised and relevant first aid course is attended that teaches a first aider the appropriate skills needed to assist in an emergency situation and possibly save a life.