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First aid - Are you skilled


First aid, is this a lost skill in the UK? According to research last year almost half of us would feel panicked if we came across a health emergency. According to St John Ambulance more than a 1/4 of people surveyed said they had never learned first aid. Alarmingly, only 4 in 10 know the first aid skills to save someone from a catastrophic bleed, cardiac arrest or choking. All time critical injuries and illnesses will eventually lead to a cardiac arrest, and did you know fewer than 1 in 12 survive to 30 days after a out of hospital cardiac arrest.  

This needs to change. 

This article is not designed to make turn you into a Doctor, Nurse or Paramedic but simply to guide you towards a more prepared citizen, friend and family member, the statistics above show we owe it to ourselves.

So what can you do about it. Knowledge is King as they say. We can all go out and buy the first aid kits but without knowing what each piece of equipment is for your help will be limited.  Take the time to attend first aid classes and learn the fundamentals of handling medical emergencies this will go a long way to providing you the confidence if the situation arises. If you a new parent I would highly recommend attending a newborn first aid course to give you the skills and knowledge to help your child in a medical emergency. 

If you cannot get out to attend first aid courses there are plenty of online resources you can access to develop the knowledge required to save someone's life. The British Heart Foundation has free online training https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr/learn-cpr-in-15-minutes where you can learn CPR, it only takes 15 minutes and will increase the chances of saving someone's life if they experience a cardiac arrest.

Do you know where the nearest defibrillator is when you go out? You can find all registered defibrillators here https://www.defibfinder.uk/. Next time you pass one take a moment to have a look at the instructions, familiarise yourself with the instructions for access so when you do call 999 to get access you are able to do so quickly and confidently. For more information about defibrillators follow this link https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators/understanding-defibrillators-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them.

Personal first aid kits are a fantastic thing to have in the home, in your car or bag. It enables you to manage minor injuries for yourself and others. However, also think about your workplace, do you know where the first aid kit is? Is there a nominated first aider? 

Lastly, think about long term conditions you or those close to you suffer with. Do you know what medication they require and do they have enough supply. Do they suffer with anaphylaxis and is their auto-injector in date. These small but important questions are key to managing health. Take the time today to review your personal kits and plans and be better prepared for medical emergencies. 

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