Basic First Aid Courses

During any emergency situation, every second matters. But one of the most important instruments in first aid could occur before the ambulance and other officials arrive on the scene. Basic first aid courses teach methods that could make a huge difference. With the proper training and instruction, you could help save a life.

CPR

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was first adopted by the American Heart Association in 1963 and has updated numerous educational courses on the method. CPR consists of a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions. The compressions are delivered straight to a victim of cardiac arrest. CPR is effective because when cardiac arrest occurs, the heart stops pumping blood. The helpful combination then temporarily brings a small amount of blood to flow to the heart and brain until normal heart function can be restored. Some courses are also endorsed by the American Red Cross. While many sites offer online certification, it is best to get the official certification from either organization or another trusted organization, such as your local health department.

  Both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross require recertification so that certified personnel are able to keep up-to-date with the latest recommendations.

Heimleich Manuever

• The Heimlich Maneuver has been a helpful method for choking victims since it was first developed in the 1970s. According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, the method involves placing your arms around the choking person's rib cage and making sure one hand is balled up into a fist. With the other hand over the fist, you force your hands inward, opening the choking victim's airwaves for the foreign object to come through. Some courses will even offer certification courses in both CPR and Heimlich maneuver.

Bandaging Wounds

• Many basic first aid courses also touch upon both major and minor wound care. First, with any cut or scrape, you must stop the bleeding by gently applying pressure to the wounded area. If the cut is severe, your course instructor will stress to you the importance of continuing your pressure until help has arrived. All wounds also need to be cleaned properly in order to avoid infection. After cleaning, apply a bandage with an antibiotic ointment.

First Aid for Children

• Some first aid courses give their students a chance to specialize their course for their own unique situations. For example, many organizations will offer basic first aid courses to babysitters, educators and day care providers who care for young children. Specializing first aid treatment is important because the same first aid practices for adults do not apply to children. These courses also stress the importance of putting away household cleaning products and other items out of children's reach to avoid unintentional poisoning.