Why Every First Aid Training Course Should Include CPR Certification

First aid knowledge is a valuable skill that reduces the impact of injuries or accidents, and in some cases, has the potential to save lives. Most first aid courses cover a basic array of treatment methods for non-emergency situations. However, a few essential techniques for administering treatment in an emergency situation are frequently skipped over in basic first aid courses. An online first aid and CPR certification course is a great place to start for combining these knowledge bases and learning to respond to a wide range of injury, accident, and emergency situations.

After an injury or accident occurs, bystanders who have not received first aid and CPR training may be unsure of how to proceed with helping the victim. Both first aid training and CPR certification can help you avoid panicking in such a situation and give you a straightforward action plan for responding. For both home and workplace settings, these training courses often contribute to creating a safer and more secure environment. For group outings, particularly in areas where medical care is not immediately available, both first aid training and CPR certification are essential for securing potential emergency situations and responding in time to save lives.

This article will look at some of the basic topics covered in both first aid training courses and CPR certification programs. The techniques in both of these courses are valuable for anyone and should be studied in combination when possible. Many course providers can support this learning process in both online or in-person settings.

What Topics Do First Aid Courses Cover?

First aid courses typically cover non-emergency situations but are still valuable for creating a safe and comfortable environment. The response techniques covered in these courses can also help reduce the pain or long-term impact of an injury. Here are a few essential first aid training course topics you’ll find in any learning program.

Situation Identification

If you understand a variety of response techniques for both emergency and non-emergency situations, it can be challenging to decide how to respond. For this reason, most first aid training courses often cover methods for choosing how to act and identify what the problem is as quickly as possible.

Shock Treatment

Shock refers to a reduction in blood flow through vital organs due to another sudden change in health. Shock treatment is an important component of many first aid methods, even if the victim of a recent injury isn’t showing visible symptoms of shock. The first step of this process for treating shock is laying the victim down as gently as possible. Then, raise up the victim’s legs slightly to assist with moving blood through the vital organs. Anyone experiencing shock should be kept as relaxed as possible.

Cuts and Scrapes

Administering first aid for basic cuts and scrapes is one of the most well-known and frequently used techniques covered in first aid training courses. Reducing the bleeding, cleaning the wound, and applying Neosporin or petroleum jelly helps reduce infection and allows the wound to heal quickly.

Choking

If someone has a blocked airway or is otherwise unable to cough, speak, or take in oxygen, you’ll need to respond as soon as possible. In most situations, the Heimlich maneuver is the best treatment option for clearing the obstruction. The technique for responding in a choking situation varies greatly for small children and infants. Don’t administer the Heimlich maneuver unless you’re sure of the technique or the situation is clearly life-threatening.

Fractures

Remove pressure or strain for the affected area as soon as possible. The easiest way to do this often is to reduce muscle tension and movement by creating a splint or sling. A first aid training course will teach you the steps to take in the event of a broken bone that will hold over until the medical professionals arrive on the scene.

What Will I Learn in a CPR Course?

Unlike first aid training, CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, requires certification and careful direction in order to properly administer the techniques necessary for saving someone’s life in the event of cardiac arrest. CPR responds exclusively to life-threatening situations and extends beyond chest compressions and rescue breaths. Directing bystanders to call 911 and understanding how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator) can be equally important for stabilizing the victim.

To begin CPR, lay the affected person on their back and open the airway. Check for breathing and a pulse. Follow the C-A-B (compressions, airway, breathing) rotation for administering care. As with the Heimlich maneuver for responding to a choking incident, the technique for CPR varies greatly for infants and small children.

Once you’ve completed your CPR certification course, you’ll receive a certificate to prove completion. Many company workspaces require CPR certification for new employees and may require you to obtain certification before you can begin working. Even if CPR certification isn’t required, it can still be an important selling point when applying for work. Individuals who are CPR certified help keep their surrounding environment safe and secure.

Conclusion- Combining CPR and First Aid Learning

First aid courses can teach you various essential life skills applicable in almost any situation and setting. However, in the event of an emergency, first aid training can only go so far. For this reason, it’s important to study CPR in conjunction with first aid to maximize the odds of saving a life in the event of an emergency.

Cardiac arrests are one of the most common forms of medical emergencies and can occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Any individual needs to have the skills necessary for providing care in both emergency and non-emergency situations. An in-person or online first aid and CPR training course is a great place to start learning these valuable life-saving techniques