Why First Aid is The Life Skill EVERYONE Needs

When did you last learn First Aid?

Let’s have a show of hands (and be honest!)…

Have you only done First Aid training because of work?

Or perhaps you’ve never even thought about going to a course.

Maybe you know the basics and don’t think you’d ever be the person who needs to know.

It could be too hard to find the time. Or you’ve always meant to, but…

Well, What If You Had to Administer First Aid…and Couldn’t?

You never want to be the person to think ‘I hope someone else has first aid here’ when the time comes. Because as awful as it sounds, there may not be enough time.

What I’ve learnt over the years is that a first aid situation comes when you least expect it. It’s why I believe that EVERYONE needs to learn first aid, simply because they live amongst other people!

What if your colleague was having a heart attack?
Or moreso, do you know what the symptoms are and how they can present? Side note, they’re not always like the dramatic Hollywood version!
What if your child suddenly fell from height at the playground?
We’re talking top of the big slide. Or had something hit them in the head at full speed. Or they slip on a toy, or good old Lego! Do you know if someone is unconscious or concussed? And what to do if you suspect head, neck or spinal injuries?
Imagine if the knife slips?
Do you know how to stop bleeding? Do you know if it requires stitches or not?
Could you help if you were first on the scene at a car accident, and the ambulance was still 10 minutes away?
What if you saw an adult or a child start to choke at a party?
Or worse, if someone started having an allergic or anaphylactic reaction?

None of This is Meant to Scare You!

I just want you to stop and imagine.

I know I’m more aware of first aid situations due to being a nurse for more than 20 years, but in the past few years alone my first aid skills have been called upon for:

A badly fractured and bleeding nose
Jumping in fully clothed to my pool because a child had forgotten how to swim since the previous summer (and yes, always pull them out at the first sign of distress)
A boomerang to the head (yes boomerangs do come back and the head bleeds a lot!)
Helping a man who had a cardiac arrest in his car on a busy road
A knife vs finger. No prizes for guessing which one won!
Another man having a stroke in his car in a shopping carpark
And, a lot more.

All of this has led me to think it’s great I was there, but…Who would have helped them if I hadn’t?

So, What Happens in a Head2Toe First Aid Training Course?

Can I start by saying – our courses are fun!

They’re also practical, flexible, engaging, relevant and you’ll walk away feeling confident and empowered.

As I’m sure you’ll agree, adults learn best in a relaxed environment, with a small group, where questions are encouraged and there’s plenty of hands-on time to practice.

A big reason for this, is that as well as the knowledge component, first aid skills are also dependent on muscle memory.

Because even if you go into slight panic, or enter fight or flight mode, your body will remember what to do if you’ve practiced it enough, and practiced it recently.

You can choose to do a nationally recognised course, as well as parent first aid courses for those that don’t need a certified course or have the time the take. Either at one of our course locations, or you can organise for me to train a group at your home or venue.

Depending on the course you choose, we’ll cover topics such as:

CPR
Choking
Bleeding control
Shock
Burns
Asthma
Fractures, strains & sprains
Allergic reactions & Anaphylaxis
And more.

Be The Help, Before Help Arrives

I’ve seen firsthand the anxiety, stress and fear that a first aid situation can produce in people. Which is why I started head2toe First Aid, and am so passionate about helping to create many more confident first aiders in the community.

And call me selfish, but it’s also so that I no longer hear comments all the time like…

“Thank goodness you were there when…”
“Don’t choke now, Karyn is leaving!”
“I wish I had done that first aid course, something awful happened at work the other day…”

I’m definitely out to change all of that!

A first aid course with Head2Toe First Aid will leave you feeling confident, calm and prepared. And, most importantly you’ll have the life-saving skills to help keep the casualty and yourself safe until more help arrives.

We have three courses left this year and many more planned for 2020 (dates soon to be released), so I urge you to put a First Aid Course on the top of your list.

First aid is all around us and you never know when you will need to call upon the skills that you learn, or whose life you could save.

There are only 3 courses left for 2019!

My next Community Parent First Aid courses are on 28 October in Morphett Vale Grove and 16 November in Holdfast Bay, click to enrol.

Or, you can enrol for my next Nationally Recognised CPR and First Aid course on 25 November in Holdfast Bay. (Training and assessment delivered on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909).

Alternatively, contact me if you would love to learn First Aid with your family and friends or even with your child/ren. I’d love to hear from you, because I can come to your house and individualise a course to your family.