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Certification Requirements for First Aid

From tending minor cuts and scrapes to addressing serious trauma, those trained in first aid are, quite literally, lifesavers. Individuals who possess a certification have the confidence and knowledge to comfort victims and identify emergency situations. First aid training is widely available from a range of credible sources. While slight distinctions exist among the various training programs, there are several requirements and components universal to most first aid certification programs.

  1. Legal Aspects

    • First aid involves more than delivering life saving techniques. There are legal aspects associated with offering care. Laws exist, such as the Good Samaritan legislation, which protect responders from liability under certain conditions. Responders should possess knowledge of terms such as "implied consent" and "good faith" and should understand the provisions of Good Samaritan laws.

    Universal Precautions

    • When providing medical treatment, safety is a primary concern to be addressed. Blood-borne pathogens are an ever present health hazard, both to rescuers and victims. Learning to prevent transmission of diseases, such as Hepatitis C or AIDS is essential. Mastery of universal precautions, which involves use of gloves and other protective barriers is expected for first aid certification.

    Assessing the Scene

    • Victims are not the only ones who sustain injuries. Responders who aren't properly trained to assess the scene put themselves at risk for similar fates. First aid caregivers should be aware of surroundings that may cause injury. Oncoming traffic, live electrical current, chemical fumes and fire are but a few common dangers that responders may encounter and need to be trained to spot.

    Assessing the Victim

    • Injuries are complex, with no two situations or victims entirely the same. Injured persons are often confused, dazed or agitated and may have other, less obvious, medical conditions than meets the eye. Learning to collect information via outward signs and physical symptoms expressed by the victim is vital for responders. Gathering important details, such as victim's name, condition and cause of injury and properly reporting to 9-1-1 personnel often saves critical time.

    Minor Injuries

    • The obvious core of basic first aid certification training involves recognizing and treating non-life threatening injuries like minor burns, wounds, insect bites, abrasions and contusions. Eye and musculoskeletal injuries (such as fractures and sprains) are typically covered in most courses. Generally, a person seeking certification should possess a level of skill and competency in identifying and treating these conditions.

    Life Threatening Injuries

    • Many serious injuries are imminently life threatening and require a level of treatment skill far above basic first aid responders. However, first aid lay-responders still have the important duties of early recognition and stabilization of victims until professional medical help arrives. Course requirements usually include grasp of heart attack and stroke symptoms, as well as dialogues on deep wounds, impalement, unconscious victims and shock. Checking ABC's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and performing rescue breathing are typically skills taught during certification. Early activation of EMS is emphasized. CPR is generally taught in a separate course, though it may be discussed.

    Final Certification

    • Depending on the particular curriculum, final certification may be based on written or verbal tests, hands-on demonstrations or a combination of these.

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