FirstAid

=First Aid=

=**Description:**=

=
First Aid can be defined as health or medical assistance given in emergency or first response situations. First Aid consists of three points: preserve life, prevent further harm or damage, and promote recovery. First Aid consists of a large number of simple and easily trained techniques that can be used in numerous situations ranging from blisters to choking to nosebleeds. It is usually performed by non-medical professionals to keep a patient alive until expert medical professionals arrive. First aid also includes instances, usually minor, in which it is the only care required. It is First Aid's relative simplicity that allows it to be accessible to most of society. Various organizations, such as the Red Cross and the American Heart Association (AHA) offer cheap and/or free first aid training. Certifications are also offered for those wanting to put it on their resume. Some first aid is basic enough to be taught over the phone during an actual emergency, but training //before// the incident is recommended.=====

=**First Aid training usually includes instruction in:**= -First Aid Basics -Standard First Aid -First Aid - responding to emergencies -Wilderness and remote -Emergency Medical Response
 * Situation Analysis (what's going on?)
 * Emergency treatment of open wounds
 * Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of an Adult, Child, Infant (CPR)
 * Use of an Automated External Defibrillator of an Adult, Child (AED)
 * First Aid
 * Epinephrine Auto-Injector Use
 * Administering Emergency Oxygen
 * Bloodborne Pathogens Training
 * Lifeguarding
 * Babysitter's Training

//A group of people are being taught CPR at the Red Cross event, CPR Saturday.// //The event trained 2400 people CPR in one day. Link//

Most First Aid training can be taken as a class in a America Red Cross organization. Other commercial organization offer training to employees to an organization to perform first aid to professional are unavailable at the time.

=**First Aid Applications:**=


 * First Aid can be applied to non critical ailments, such as minor cuts, but sometimes it is essential. **
 * Common examples of situations in which first aid is applied in __life-threatening__ situations: **
 * ** Choking (Asphyxiation) **
 * ** Drowning **
 * ** Major bleeding **
 * ** Heart Attack (Cardiac Arrest) **
 * ** Stroke **
 * Anaphylaxis (life-threatening type of allergic reaction)
 * 3rd degree burns
 * Seizure
 * Hyperglycemia (diabetic coma) or Hypoglycemia ( insulin shock )

Without first aid or medical attention, the patient with the above ailments would be in a critical condition before medical professionals arrive.

Examples of situations in which first aid is applied in __non-life threatening__ situations:
 * Stings or bites from insects (non-allergic reaction)
 * Fevers
 * Cuts or small wounds
 * Bruises
 * Minor burns
 * Blisters
 * Concussion or fainting

=**First Aid Certification:**= [|American Red Cross] offers training for certifications to prepare life saving first aid and CPR skills throughout the United States. Each year, an average of more than 9 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies through American Red Cross training classes, including First Aid, AED and CPR training. Specialized certifications in first aid exist for the following fields of work:
 * Babysitting
 * Lifeguard (Swimming Lessons)
 * Wilderness (outdoors man)
 * Professional Rescuer (EMT)
 * Care giving
 * Emergency Preparedness Education
 * Family First Aid
 * Pet First Aid
 * CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
 * AED (Automated external defibrillator)
 * Instructor

=**[|First Aid Kits]:**= It is recommended that one always keeps a First Aid with certain essential nearby in case of an emergency. There are some differing of opinion when it comes to exactly what should be in the kit, but for the most part, medical experts agree that a First Aid kit should have the following items in it in order to be most effective during an emergency:
 * Bandages (roller, triangular, and adhesive bandages)
 * Compress Dressings
 * Antibiotic Ointment
 * Antiseptic Wipes
 * Aspirin (Any pain reliever)
 * Instant Cold Compress
 * Non latex Gloves (in case of any latex allergies)
 * Hydrocortisone Ointment
 * Gauze Pads
 * Scissors
 * Tweezers
 * First Aid Instruction Book
 * Isopropyl alcohol



=**Related Terminology:**= Good Samaritan Law CPR AED First Aid Kit

=**Web Resources:**= Red Cross First Aid Training American Heart Association First Aid Training [|Mayo Clinic First Aid] [|Red Cross First Aid Kit] [|Healthy Children First Aid Guide] =**Citations/References:**= Wikipedia The American Red Cross American Heart Association [|American Red Cross Training/Class] [|First Aid Kits]