First Aid: Confidence To Act In Emergency
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday April 21, 1998
Considering most accidents happen at home, it is imperative that at least one member of a household knows how to administer first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
In fact, knowing how to give first aid and CPR could prove a real life-saver, according to the Australian Red Cross southern regional health and safety education co-ordinator Betty Stone.
"There is no doubt about it, knowing the basics can really mean the difference between saving someone's life or not," she said.
"More often than not when somebody has been injured and is unconscious, it's just a matter of turning them over on their side to clear the airways - unfortunately, though, many people aren't aware of this and aren't confident enough to try it."
Extensive courses in first aid and CPR, conducted by accredited instructors, could be undertaken by the general public.
Basic to more advanced first aid courses, which were WorkCover-approved, had been taught at the Red Cross in Wollongong for 10 years.
The courses, covering medical emergencies such as strokes, heart attacks and burns, were designed to give people the confidence to act quickly.
"These courses give people the confidence to act quickly when somebody is injured because, after they complete the course, in most cases they will be able to recognise the medical symptom of the injured person," she said.
"For example, if someone is in shock or has an epilepsy attack, they will know what to do. Acting quickly and correctly is important because if you do it right the first time, it aids the recovery process."
Apart from its obvious benefits nowadays, many workplaces required their potential employees to have a first-aid certificate.
© 1998 Illawarra Mercury