First Aid and CPR is probably one of the most extensive practical training for safety measures. It has applications at the residence, hospitals, workplaces, warehouses, factories, laboratories, construction sites and so on. It is basically practiced every place where safety is concerned and a first aid kit is available. Usually, CPR is practiced by nurses, medical professionals, security and trained professionals. But there are cases where first aid and CPR may be done by individuals who may not have a clue to what they are doing. These are cases where first aid and CPR may end up doing more damage than the actual accident itself. Technique and Timing are essential in providing first aid and CPR.
The technique is an essential element in providing first aid and CPR. There may be many youtube videos but practical training for first aid and CPR is underrated. The most noticeable of amateur technique to that of the technique of a professional is that of band-aids on a fracture. Any fracture in the wrist and radius or ulna of a hand usually results in a cast type band-aid hanging from the neck like a sling. These band-aids are supported by a sort of support for the fractured bones and tied in a way that the fractured hand does not come off the sling! Next is the CPR itself. Performing CPR on a choking individual usually ends up in disaster. The choking is due to windpipe blockage and a thump to the back rather than CPR on the chest is needed. When performing CPR or being trained to perform CPR, some individuals put their entire weight on the victim or punch on the victim’s ribs as if they were a punching bag. This also leads to disaster as unequal and strong pressure on the ribs usually breaks them causing heart failure as a result. It is the same principle as palletization in a warehouse. Faulty pallets break as a result of pressure from the weight of the boxes. The broken pallets lead to damaged boxes and the loss of high priced items in them. If the wrong technique is applied, it usually results in death rather than prolonging an individual’s life till emergency personnel arrives. These are cases where waiting for emergency response may be better than providing first aid and CPR.
Timing is another important element that goes hand in hand with training. Security personnel usually get the practical first aid and CPR training as part of the requirements for the license. This training allows them to perform CPR whether on a construction site, warehouse environment or as a driver patrolling sites. Having an instant CPR from a trained professional may mean a difference between life and death. This is especially true of rural construction sites where emergency personnel often takes time to respond. Many locations often have reception issues. Some cell phone service providers offer little or no reception in these areas as a result of few cell phone towers in the location. Also, an older cellphone model would often mean that 911 operators cannot track your location. Some cell phone models do not transmit location data based on network-based triangulation of cell phone towers. Instead, they rely on the tower within the closest proximity which gives a location within a range of several miles. Newer cellphone models especially GPS enabled ones are the solution to the problem. Also, research on cellphone providers and their range of one’s work or residential locations may be a lifesaver. Furthermore, having a trained professional beside you in a high-risk task such as long-haul driving could also be a lifesaver. Hence, timing is another element in first aid and CPR.
In conclusion, training for first aid and CPR is useful even if the trained personnel is the one who needs CPR. He/she can direct the other individuals while his/her own hands are tied. Losing a lot of blood in a vein or arterial cuts could be devastating hence stopping bleeding from cuts either from band-aids or tissue papers is a priority. Nevertheless, waiting for emergency personnel like paramedics and ambulance is a preferred first aid and CPR response in most cases!