One never knows when an emergency will happen, and first aid is one of those things that we all hope we will never be called on to do, but should know in case of an accident. From the business perspective, bringing a first aid trainer into the workplace can become part of a team-building exercise, as it encourages people to work together to learn for a common goal. Staff can learn to identify dangerous situations before accidents happen. This will have a significant impact on the bottom line – in terms of both human cost (lost time, Worker’s Comp claims, and administration time) and insurance and claims costs.
Know-How (First Aid Precautions):
1. SAFETY is the first rule in first aid, (and common sense). When assisting someone else do not become the second casualty. Do not enter a burning building to rescue someone unless you are trained to do so, and if you do not swim, don’t enter deep water to rescue someone who is drowning.
2. Avoid going beyond your training; make sure that you are not doing more harm than good. Leave the medical expertise to the Paramedics and Physicians.
3. Stay away from medication unless the patient/casualty has their own medication prescribed by the doctor for the particular problem they are experiencing.
4. Keep injuries to a minimum by knowing what to do when faced with an emergency – take a first aid or CPR course and learn how to save a life.
It pays to keep first aid kits in your car, home, and at work. Most workplaces have welll stocked first aid kits. Kits should be full of supplies that are appropriate for location and planned activities. It is a good idea for coaches of all sports for youngsters to keep a first aid kit at practice and games, and to know how to administer first aid. Having an Automatic External Defibrillator, (AED) on site can be life-saving, from a sporting event to a church service. One never knows when or where a heart attack can occur. Check your first aid kit to see if it contains:
- Bandages
- Sterile gauze pads
- Alcohol pads
- Dressings
- Soap
- Saline
- Tweezers
- Disposable gloves
- Over the counter pain medications
- CPR pocket mask or face shield
- Aloe Vera gel
- Mixed sizes of safety pins.
- Sting relief
- Antibiotic ointment
At work, be sure you know where the first aid kits are located and take a course in first aid if it is offered at your place of employment. You never know when you may need it. If you are going on a trip, it may be the most important thing you take with you.
Tomorrow, we will continue on this subject by discussing what to do when some of the most common accidents happen to us, either at work or home. Please stay tuned……….