First Aid in a Nutshell

Contributed by Kat Spitz, First Aid / CPR Instructor, Evergreen Safety Council
       

Have you or someone you know ever needed First Aid, but you weren’t sure what to do?  If you think about it, there are so many things, from a skinned knee, to severe bleeding, or even cardiac arrest that can, and do, happen to people every day.  

A triangle bandage makes a sling

 It used to be that if you hadn’t had a comprehensive First Aid class in the recent past, you would probably not have a clue what to do in most of these circumstances.  In the “olden days” you could perhaps take the time to look it up in a large manual or heaven forbid, an encyclopedia!  But you probably didn’t travel around with one of those, and in the time it took you to go get one, your patient’s health could be declining rapidly.

In today’s climate, with all of our technological doo-dads, you probably have that first aid manual right in your pocket or briefcase; completely accessible to you almost anywhere you go!

If you have a laptop, iPad or smart phone, you pretty much have all the information you need right at your fingertips via gotoAID.

Addressing a head wound

You should really check this site out!  It is the most complete, comprehensive and easily accessible First Aid resource I’ve ever come across.  And, are you ready for this?  The website has complete First Aid information for not only “People”, but for “Cats” and “Dogs” as well! 

Remember though, it is no substitute for 9-1-1 when it comes to serious injuries or heart/respiratory emergencies (see “People”!), but it sure is nice to have around. This site can help you know what to do to stabilize your patient while you wait for help to arrive.

It also makes you look really smart.