Do you know what to do in an emergency? Could you cope if someone next to you needed real help? If you are around people personally or professionally then learning in these skills could be a matter of life and death. For certain occupations and anything to do with healthcare, they are a must. This is especially true if you are hoping to advance or seek certification.
Undertaking a professional course makes sense on so many levels. It will not only give you certification but it will also give you the confidence to help in an emergency. A Basic EMT Course can be undertaken online. You can study at your own pace, and it is an accredited and fully recognized professional qualification.
These are skills that everyone should know. Knowing them may be the difference between a life lost and one saved. Could you be the one to step in during a crisis? Here are a few areas to consider and hopefully start you on a path of increased awareness. No matter what your role or responsibility these are skills that any boss or employee would benefit from learning. Such a course could be built into any personal development program. Why not learn a life saving skill in 2016?
Choking
Many people have heard of the Heimlich maneuver but how confident would you feel putting it into practice? It is important to know that there are different methods to be used on newborns or small children in the event of choking. Choking is a very real and quite common hazard. Before attempting anything else, try and dislodge the hazard by giving sharp blows to the back with the heel of the hand. If this does not work you need to stand behind the person and form a fist with one hand below their rib cage but above their navel. Hold your fist with the other hand and pull sharply up and into the abdomen. Use quick upper thrusts and repeat until the hazard is removed.
Heart Attacks
If someone is suffering a cardiac arrest, the first thing you need to do is to call emergency services. If you can check if the victim has a pre-existing allergy, it may help to administer an aspirin. CPR is your next option and to undertake this press down on the chest about two inches repeatedly to a count of 100 times per minute. Being trained in CPR is a great skill to have as you never know when you may need it to save someone’s life. Make sure you have the professional training to perform it so that you know how to respond and what to do.
Drowning
It is a sad fact that many people who try and help those who are drowning often fall victim themselves. First, you should be a strong swimmer. If this is not you, then take some swimming lessons to increase your confidence in the water. Second, it is not advised to get into the water unless it is absolutely necessary. The first thing you should do is try and reach the victim with a pole, branch or stick. If it is possible, throw something to them, such as a life ring. Only enter the water if there is no other option. Take something with you if you can for the victim to hold onto.
As admirable as it may be for you to intercede, the best course of action is to undertake the appropriate training first. One day someone close to you may be very glad you did.
Photo Credits: Pixabay
