About First Aid

First Aid is the emergency care given immediately after an injury to an injured or sick person. The main goal of First Aid is to minimise the consequences of the injury and prevent further health complications. In some cases, First Aid can be crucial in saving a life. It could include placing an unconscious casualty in the recovery position, incident management, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use of automated external defibrillators (AED), stopping the bleeding using pressure and elevation and, keeping a fractured limb still.

　　First Aid education is mandatory for employees in many workplaces and organisations worldwide. The type of first aid equipment and training required depends on the number of employees, the types of hazards present in the workplace and, the travel distance to a hospital/availability of professional medical assistance.

　　An education in First Aid allows you to become a certified first aid officer. Their primary responsibility is to provide immediate lifesaving care before the arrival of proper medical care. Some common course modules students can expect to study are Injury Assessment, Wounds and Bleeding, Introduction to Skeletal System, Introduction to Circulatory System, Head and Spinal Injuries, Medical Emergencies, Introduction to Respiratory System, Casualty Safety, and Limb Emergencies.

　　

Is First Aid right for me?

As the initial response to a medical emergency is provided by the first aid officer, he must have good analytical skills and should be able to assess the situation well in order to manage it. Staying calm and providing adequate assurance to the casualty is also a significant part of the role. As the first aid officer deals directly with the casualty, they ought to have good communication and leadership skills. If this sounds like you, then First Aid might be the right choice for you.

　　

Study options and costs

　　There are multiple diploma courses in First Aid available that could be accessed throughout the world. These courses are divided into various modules and could be completed over any time period without any limit.

　　In the US, First Aid certification is provided by American Red Cross and the classes could be taken online, in-person or combined. The training is a few hours long and provides a 2-year certification to the learners.

　　If you plan to consider certification to become a first aid trainer in Australia, first and foremost, you will need to have an entry-level teaching qualification. Trainers and assessors will be required to hold a TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, or an ASQA recognised equivalent qualification. It is commonly known as the “Train the Trainer” qualification, “Cert IV TAE”, or “Cert IV Training”.

　　After obtaining teaching qualifications that prove your competence as a trainer, the next step is to match your qualifications with relevant experience. You can hold other vocational qualifications and become an eligible trainer for the following courses: Basic Life Support Training (BLS), CPR, First Aid, Emergency Response in Education Care Setting.

　　The cost of first aid courses, diplomas and programmes, though relatively affordable compared to other fields, varies from country to country, so it’s best to check with the relevant institutes you are interested in applying at.

　　

Future outlook

The training industry opens thousands of opportunities for you to work in both the public and private sectors. First Aid is always in demand, which means the demand for First Aid-certified professionals will be omnipresent, and there will always be demand for First Aid trainers.

　　It is estimated that the professional field of First Aid is expected to grow by 11% by 2028 in the US. This illustrates that the outlook of this professional field is promising.

　　

Career pathways for First Aid graduates

　　

First Aid Trainer

　　As a First Aid trainer, you are expected to deliver a high-quality First Aid training programme, ensure that lesson plans are followed in all training courses and, that all student assessment procedures are thoroughly prepared, and that students are aware of assessment requirements beforehand.

　　

Firefighters

　　Firefighters are often the first to arrive at an emergency scene. In addition to dealing with structure fires, firefighters are often called in to rescue people from car accidents and other tragedies where there may be multiple victims.

　　

Flight Attendants

　　At thirty-three-thousand feet, flight attendants must be prepared to deal with whatever comes their way – including cardiac arrest. Having a medical professional on hand is never a guarantee, so flight attendants are required to know CPR, First Aid and how to operate the on-board AED unit.

　　

Construction Workers

　　Construction workers haul heavy materials, work with powerful tools and labour in all types of weather. In this high-risk work environment, life-saving skills are an essential requirement.

　　

Lifeguards

　　Cardiac arrest and drowning are just two of the life-threatening emergencies a lifeguard may encounter. CPR is an essential skill for lifeguards whether they work at a pool, lake, or beach.