You’ve witnessed a car accident or someone collapsing in the street. You can help if you know how. First aid is the act of helping others who are injured or in danger until professional help arrives. It’s an essential skill for every adult, but unfortunately many people have never received formal training on how to administer it. While knowing what to do in a given situation is crucial, it won’t be enough. You need to know how to do it quickly and effectively in order to maximize the chances of survival for the injured person and minimize the risk of secondary injuries.A first aid course is an investment in your future. When you know how to take care of others in need, you gain self-confidence and a sense of security. That’s because you can help others in need without feeling as though you’re imposing on them or risking your own safety.A first aid course is a great way to get out of your comfort zone, meet new people and gain self-confidence. In this article we’ll explore 10 common first aid mistakes everyone makes and how to avoid them.

Not knowing the location of the injury

First aid instructors often ask participants to think back to the last time they received medical attention. Most people can remember the location of their most recent injury. You want to replicate that environment when giving first aid. That way, the injured person will receive the same treatment they received from the hospital or urgent care centre.However, if the injury occurred in a place that doesn’t apply to first aid (like a car accident or drowning incident), the injured person will receive different treatment than if they had been treated at home or work. Therefore, you need to know the correct response for every situation.The key to avoiding this mistake is to remember the location of the most recent injury. If the person is unconscious or has trouble speaking, you can ask for their clothing to identify them. You can also ask them about their medical history. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget details when you’re in a stressful situation.

Assuming the injured person is conscious

It’s easy to assume that someone who is injured isn’t in any danger. After all, they’re still breathing, so they must be conscious. Unfortunately, some people are injured so badly that they appear to be conscious but aren’t.Some of the signs to look for include:- A person who is unable to move their limbs.- A person who is slumped over.- A person who is drooling, which is a sign of a head injury.If you think the person might be in danger, you can administer first aid. However, if the person is conscious, they may not appreciate your help. This could cause a dangerous situation. Therefore, you should wait until the person is unable to speak to give them aid.

Checking the person’s injuries instead of assessing the situation

Some people are so focused on their own injuries that they don’t notice the injuries of the person who is treating them. A first aid course teaches you to assess the situation and the injured person at the same time. That way, you can take appropriate action without causing more harm. You should focus on:- Breathing.- Circulation.- Discomfort.- Blisters.- Burns.- Bites.- Broken bones.- Electrical shock.- Foreign bodies (e.g., shards of glass).For example, if a person is suffering from a broken arm, you could wrap their arm in a bandage to reduce swelling. You could also ask them if they have any allergies and what medication they are taking. This will help you select the correct bandage and antibiotic to use.

Only giving first aid to the injured person

First aid isn’t just for the injured person. It’s for everyone in the area, including people who aren’t injured. If you administer first aid to the person who is injured, but ignore the bystanders, you may put them in danger.For example, if you administer first aid to a person who is suffering a heart attack, you can ignore the bystanders who are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. However, if you administer first aid to someone who is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, you can ignore the person who is suffering from a heart attack.This is an important distinction that most people don’t make when they administer first aid. Therefore, you need to know which injuries require your attention and which injuries are best left untreated.

Not checking the injured person’s allergies

Some people are allergic to first aid. However, you may not know. You can find out if the injured person is allergic to certain chemicals or treatments by asking them what allergies they have. Then, you can use that information to select the correct treatment.If you administer first aid to an allergic person and use the wrong treatment, you could make the situation worse. That’s why it’s important to check allergies before administering first aid.

Checking the injured person’s pulse instead of their breathing

Some people mistake breathing for pulse. That’s why you should always check for both. If you notice that the person isn’t breathing, you should check for a pulse. However, if you notice that the person isn’t breathing, you should also administer CPR.If you mistakenly check for a pulse and don’t notice the person isn’t breathing, you can cause permanent harm to the injured person. That’s because CPR can mask the signs of an injured person who isn’t breathing. Therefore, it’s important to know the difference between breathing and pulse.

Trying to help someone who isn’t injured

Some people try to administer first aid to people who aren’t injured. This is a mistake because you can’t treat injuries with kindness. For example, if a person is suffering from a mental health crisis, you should seek professional help. You can’t help someone who is suffering from mental illness by trying to administer first aid.That’s because it’s too difficult for you to understand the situation. You’re not trained to treat mental illness. In addition, you may exacerbate the situation by providing incorrect advice. Therefore, you should help the injured person.However, you should only help people who are injured if you know how.

Conclusion

First aid is an essential skill for every adult. Unfortunately, many people have never received formal training on how to administer it. While knowing what to do in a given situation is crucial, it won’t be enough. You need to know how to do it quickly and effectively in order to maximize the chances of survival for the injured person and minimize the risk of secondary injuries.A first aid course is an investment in your future. When you know how to take care of others in need, you gain self-confidence and a sense of security. That’s because you can help others in need without feeling as though you’re imposing on them or risking your own safety.