First Aid & CPR
Why is the National Safety Council offering first aid and CPR training programs?
- The program fulfills the Council's clearly stated mission of educating society to mitigate human and economic losses from injuries.
- The program provides first aid and/or CPR training from a nationally recognized source with special features meeting the needs of those who are dissatisfied with existing programs.
- Based upon its experience and national recognition, the Council's program easily accommodates large numbers of people. The program meets or exceeds the requirements of organizations requiring first aid/CPR and CPR training such as OSHA, MSHA, NATA, etc.
What is unique about the National Safety Council's First Aid and CPR program?
- The program consists of multi-level first aid and CPR courses offering flexibility in course content, number of students, and instructional format. It features high quality instructional support material including videos, student books, slides, overhead transparencies, and more.
- The Council seeks training agency status and participation from corporations, companies, military units, governmental agencies, secondary schools, vocational-technical schools, and community organizations.
What supplies should you keep in a first aid kit?
The National Safety Council recommends that you include these items in your home and car:
- First aid manual
- Emergency telephone numbers
- List of allergies and medications for each family member
- Antibiotic ointment
- Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin
- Syrup of ipecac
- Bandages and gauze of assorted sizes and roller gauze bandages
- CPR barrier devices
- Medical exam gloves
- Elastic wraps
- Adhesive tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Cold packs for icing injuries
- Thermometer, tweezers and small scissors
Also keep a list of emergency numbers near the telephone for police, fire and ambulance service (9-1-1), the regional poison control center, and family physicians and pediatricians. Prevention is the single most important aspect of first aid. Being prepared is also important. Take a first aid class and learn CPR. Someday, you may be the one to save a person's life. Lives are lost daily nationwide from incidents involving heart attack, drowning, choking or electric shock. The steps taken to aid the victim seconds following such an incident can mean the difference between life and death. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is the best training to have to try to help someone in an extreme situation when that person has stopped breathing and their circulation has stopped. Learning this basic first-aid technique can help you give a friend, a loved one or a stranger a second chance for life.
The CPR method taught is a three-step process which is as simple as ABC. The rescuer must first establish an open Airway before determining if the victim can breathe or before breathing for him. If the victim is not breathing, the rescuer must start rescue Breathing. Checking for a pulse to gauge Circulation, and providing circulation of needed via cardiac compression, is the third step. CPR training also includes instruction in the skills necessary to properly care for a victim with an obstructed airway.
The National Safety Council recommends professionally administered CPR training for all persons.