When someone is in need of immediate medical assistance or they are sick or injured, first aid can be used to help. Knowing basic first aid can allow you to provide help in an emergency situation until a paramedic arrives or you get to a hospital. Also basic first aid can allow you to tend to a sick or injured person. First Aid teaches you to always be prepared for an accident or emergency situation.

There are a number of places that offer first aid teaching and you can easily find information on basic first aid rules. If you decide to sign up for a first aid course in order to become certified in providing first aid, you will have the opportunity to learn about stopping an open wound from bleeding, immobilizing a possible broken limb, and administering CPR to someone who is unconscious. You will even find out information on what to do when someone is choking or poisoned, and how and when to call for help. Since it can be easy to forget basic first aid in an emergency situation, you always want to keep a first aid manual handy.

Calling for Help

When learning basic first aid you will find out about assessing situations to decide whether you should intervene, or whether it is better to just call for help. Whenever you are unsure how severe an injury is, call 9-1-1 immediately. It is much better to find out that person if find and doesn't need medical attention than to not call and risk further harming the injured person. After calling 9-1-1, you can administer any first aid that you feel would help make the person more comfortable or secure. In order to always be prepared you will want to keep a first aid kit close by either in your car or home.

A good first aid kit consists of: Pain relievers (antihistamines, stomach medications), bandages (all sizes), antibiotic ointment, hot/cold compresses, outdoor supplies (supplies for an insect sting, sunburn, poison ivy, and heat exhaustion), items for accidental poisoning, tweezers, scissors, thermometer, etc. With all your supplies at hand, it will be a lot easier to administer first aid and help prevent an emergency situation from getting worse. Don't forget to keep a first aid manual and emergency phone numbers handy. For more information on first aid and emergency situations look online. You never know when an emergency will come your way.