First aid is the initial emergency care of an illness or an injury. It is initiated by someone who is not necessarily medical but trained to take care of sick or injured people during an emergency or before medical treatment can be obtained. There are certain illnesses or minor injuries that may be taken care of with first aid and not require additional medical care. There are very simple or potentially life-saving techniques that can be performed by those with first aid certificates.

– History: First aid was first rendered in the 11th century by the Knights Hospitaller when working with pilgrims and knights. Further purposes of the Knights Hospitaller were to train other pilgrims and knights in giving first aid to battlefield injuries. First aid went away until the 1800s when villagers banded together to help teach and render first aid. In the later 1800s, the Red Cross was formed with the mission statement of giving aid to the sick and wounded soldiers in the field. St. John Ambulance was later formed to teach first aid, certify specific helpers, and teach skills to civilians. During the Civil War, Clara Barton organized the American Red Cross and continual teaching and training has been a part of the Red Cross’ since that time.

– Aims:First aid aims to teach how to preserve life in emergency situations. It was also developed to prevent further injuries and to move a patient away from harm. First aid techniques prevent the worsening of injuries by applying pressure to stop bleeding, promote recovery when breathing is a problem, and to clean and take care of wounds. First aid training and certification also involves responder safety and help with treatment.

– Skills:There are first aid skills that need to be taught to both ensure certification and to promote first aid techniques. The first skill is ABC or airway, breathing and circulation. You must first clear the airway, determine if the victim is breathing and do chest compressions to provide circulation. Variations are offered on this ABC skill depending on the skill of the first aider.

– Life: If the patient is breathing, those rendering first aid can turn the victim on their side. If a victim is chocking, those who have first aid training need to deliver back slaps and abdominal thrusts. First aid certificates will acknowledge that you have been trained in helping victims breathe, stop chocking, and help with care and support.

– Recovery: Those with first aid certificates can also be somewhat knowledgeable tin helping with wounds, cuts, grazes or bone fractures. First aid certifications give you the confidenceputting a small bandage on the injury to maintaining a broken bone until help arrives.

First aid certificates can be obtained by learning how to use an adhesive bandage, applying direct pressure on a cut, and helping with CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Attend a course and maintain your first aid skills to retain your certificate. Check out your local community education sources, Red Cross, and church affiliations to find out how you can get your first aid certificate.

For more information, please visit our first aid certification website.

For more information, please visit our first aid certification website http://www.firstaidexams.com

Author Bio: For more information, please visit our first aid certification website.

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Keywords: first aid certification,First Aid ,health care ,First aid training,first aid certificate