Advertising feature
COULD YOU SAVE A LIFE?
There are lots of things you would do for your family and friends. You would make them a coffee, help with with a task and prepare a meal for them.
But could you save their life? This is the question being asked as World First Aid Day approaches on Saturday, September 9.
Accidents can happen to anyone, at any time, anywhere. More often than not accidents occur at home.
Domestic incidents account for a large portion of injuries which present at hospitals and that is why World First Aid Day’s theme for 2017 focuses on domestic incidents.
If you don’t know what to do in case of an injury, whether it’s life-threatening or a grazed knee, first aid training can teach you the dangers and causes of home accidents and what to do.
PREPARATION IS KEY
First aid expert Leo McNamara said knowing what to do and being confident to act is key to ensuring the best outcome for the injured person.
This advertising feature is sponsored by the following business.
- St John Ambulance Busselton and Dunsborough Sub Centre
“What you do straight away in a first aid emergency can make a life saving difference,” he said.
“In the chaos of what is happening, it is easy to forget what to do. First aid training gives you hands on experience and gives you the confidence to do what you need in what can be a confronting situation.
“It might be a family member that you need to help, but it might also be a neighbour or friend.
“First aid is key to good communities and good relationships because it sees people coming together to help each other.”
Just like a fire plan, households should make a first aid plan including having a designated first aid station within the home stocked with a kit, medications such as epipens and emergency contacts.
DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE
World First Aid Day reminds us not to wait until it is too late to receive training. We cannot predict when accidents occur, but we can be ready for when they do.
Had training? St John Ambulance recommends re-training in first aid every three years, and every 12 months in CPR.
“CPR is important as it is a life saving measure and the more it is practiced, the more people feel comfortable in being able to perform it when it is critical,” Mr McNamara said.
Call St John Ambulance Busselton on 9752 3866 or Dunsborough Sub Centre on 9759 1499 to book a first aid course.