An emergency comes up suddenly and requires actions and immediate care. When an accident happens, those on the scene are called first responders and are critical to the chances of survival; therefore, CPR and first aid are important skills to know. CPR and first aid certifications are available through local and Internet resources.
Traditional CPR
Either traditional or hands-only CPR is a lifesaving method used in emergencies such as heart attack or a near drowning accident where a victim's breathing and heartbeat has stopped. In 1960, CPR was officially developed and rolled out to physicians by the American Heart Association. Traditional CPR consists of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths. If the victim did not collapse in front a first responder but was found, traditional CPR is recommended. Assess the situation by checking for consciousness and asking the victim if she is OK. Then call for help and check the ABCs---airway, breathing and circulation. Practice CPR until help arrives.
Hands-Only CPR
In 2008, the American Heart Association revised the guidelines for CPR. Hands-only CPR eliminates the breaths between sets of compressions. The first responder still calls 911 before starting hands-only CPR. One of the reasons behind this revision was if the cause of the collapse is sudden cardiac arrest, the person's lungs and blood contain enough oxygen to keep vital organs healthy for the first few minutes, as long as they are getting chest compressions. Always assess the situation, and call 911 for help.
First Aid
First aid encompasses many situations. It is the care provided to a victim immediately after an emergency or accident. First aid can be done for issues such as choking, bee stings, cuts, burns and even setting broken bones. The Good Samaritan principle protects first responders in that they can't be sued for wrongdoing when they voluntarily help someone else as long as they are reasonably careful, act in good faith and don't provide care above their skill level. Basic steps for providing first aid on a general basis include assessing the victim and looking for things like responsiveness and how bad the injury is; alerting the emergency responders if necessary, as in an auto accident or drowning situation; and attending to the victim.
Some first aid situations do not require emergency responders from 911. These situations include most minor cuts that do not require stitches, bruises, bee stings when the victim does not have an allergy, or most food-borne illnesses. A home first aid kid should contain compression dressings, bandages, antiseptic wipes, a cold compress, safety gloves, a thermometer and a first aid safety guide book.
Benefits
A rapid response to an accident or emergency can make the difference between survival, long or short recovery time and a temporary or permanent disability. Performing CPR after a sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim's chance of survival. The sooner care is provided, the better the outcome can be.
Considerations
Call 911 as soon as possible for assistance, and always make sure the scene is safe. First responders need to remain calm during the situation. The American Heart Association has set the following advice for CPR based on the level of training and ability the rescuer has. For those untrained in CPR, only use hands-only CPR. For the trained and ready-to-go responder that is confident in her ability to perform CPR, use traditional CPR. For the trained but rusty responder, chest compressions with hands-only CPR is advised.
