First Aid Course

[dk168]

I attended a First Aid Course today, more for personal interest than anything else, as I thought it is an useful knowledge to have in the event of an emergency, like a traffic accident - soon I shall have my campervan/RV and shall be out and about on the road more.

I was a certified First Aider when I was working in a manufacturing facility, offered to the employees for free.

Apart from advancement in technology, like the use of a defibrillator which more widely available than it was nearly 20 years ago when I did my course, I have also learnt that, in the event of an emergency, when your mobile/cell phone is locked, there is a way a person can still access your medical history and your nominated emergency contacts.

I did not know my phone is capable of that, and have now included my medical history and medications that I am on, as well as my emergency contacts.

The trainer also re-emphasised the usefulness of the app that is called: what3words that uses 3 words to describe your location. This could be particularly useful when you are involved in an emergency and not familiar with your surroundings and locations.

I thought I would share these as they are easy to use and can be very valuable in the event of an emergency.

I would strongly advise anyone to learn basic first aid, to have the confident to do something in the event of an emergency situation. I just hope I don't have to use it!

DK

 

[Bron357]

Yes, I recommend a first aid course. I carry in my car an “advanced” first aid kit - just to be ready in case. Never needed to use it thankfully.
though many years ago I helped save a man who collapsed on the railway platform, a heart attack. There was a guy who was a nurse who did the mouth to mouth and I did the chest compressions until the medics arrived. He was alive when transported to hospital, I hope he was ok.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

ive done them over the years through work
it is amazing how things change like the hymic (excuse spelling) is out of favour now

it was the red cross lady who put me onto having an emergent contact in my phone.
my phone is never locked

 

[OoohShiny]

Everyone should learn first aid from a young age, and have regular refreshers IMO - minutes make a massive difference in a critical situation.

I'm interested in the fact they are able to access people's phones to find emergency contacts. I presume it's some sort of 'folder' of info that is empty unless populated, and is the only area accessible?

 

[TooPatient]

Everyone should learn first aid from a young age, and have regular refreshers IMO - minutes make a massive difference in a critical situation.

I'm interested in the fact they are able to access people's phones to find emergency contacts. I presume it's some sort of 'folder' of info that is empty unless populated, and is the only area accessible?

My phone has a button on the log in screen that takes you to emergency information. It is only available to view from there. Contact names and numbers, any medical issues you choose to add. I forget how I set it, but adding and updating information is done once you are logged in to your phone.

 

[Ally T]

I am trained in First Aid & Paediatric First Aid, as I am a senior First Aid lead at the Primary school I work at. My day to day consists of grazes, bumps, sprains & strains, with an occasional broken leg (bad football tackle) & head injury requiring an ambulance.

However, early in full lockdown here in April, I was out running & saw an accident happen on the lane near my house. A motorbike came too fast around a tight bend, on the wrong side of the road, and head on into a car coming in the opposite direction. He bullseyed the windscreen & somersaulted over the top, landing on his back about 50 yards away in the road. He was in a bad way due to incorrect clothing & speed. He had an open fracture to his ankle, every single finger was bent in different directions & bleeding due to not wearing gloves, his trousers were pretty ripped & I can only say without going into too much detail, his testicles were trying to escape his body. He had ruptured them on the fuselage of the bike on impact.

Everything kicked in for me really quickly, including calling emergency services, checking him over, stopping blood loss, getting a passersby to hold his head still, two others to stand either side of the bend & turn round any approaching cars & phoning my husband, who ran up the lane with a first aid kit.

The police called me later that night to say he would be fine, needed a couple of surgeries & would probably never father children. He had been arrested - he was 3 times the drink drive alcohol limit at 10am, after an illegal lockdown party the night before. The poor girl he had crashed into was only 20 & traumatised beyond what I can describe. She was thankfully injury free, but it still makes me mad that his stupidity has terrified that girl for the rest of her life.

I digress, sorry. But yes, everyone should learn First Aid, as you never know if your Sunday morning run on quiet country lanes in the middle of nowhere, might end up like mine.

 

[dk168]

@Alex T good on you!

@OoohShiny that's the only content one can access when the phone is locked. One may be able to use the camera, however, it is for taking pictures or videos only, not for accessing other photos or videos etc...

@TooPatient on my Android phone, I need to go to my profile linked to the phone, tap the profile pic, and then edit as I see fit.

DK

 

[Austina]

We had to do a course every year I worked at the dentist, which included resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator. We also had to know how to resuscitate someone in the chair. It also dealt with choking in adults and children. I always felt like a plonker having to to talk to torso dummy.

 

[Missy]

I agree it is critical to know how to perform basic first aid at least. Including but not limited to the use of the defribillator, CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver.

As a healthcare provider I was certified in first aid throughout my career. I have let that lapse and a refresher course is an excellent idea. Thank you for sharing @dk168.

Wishing you happy and safe travels.