Have you ever had to administer first aid? Do you know how to?
The concept of first aid dates back to 1859 when a Geneva businessman, Henry Dunant, witnessed horrifying injury and agony at a battle in northern Italy. From there, the organisation whose name is synonymous with first aid – the Red Cross Society (known as the Red Crescent Society in non-Christian countries) – was born.
While Red Cross around the world does much more today than first aid, it is still part of their ‘core business’.
In Australia, Red Cross and the St John Ambulance Australia are two of the key organisations that provide certified first aid training to upwards of 750,000 people a year. A spokesperson for St John Ambulance says the three key reasons that people do a first aid course is:
1. for work requirements – for example a flight attendant
2. they are new parents and want to know the basics, or
3. they’re civic-minded and want to be able to help someone “just in case”.
But according to the Red Cross 20% of those with a first aid certificate fail to renew their certification when it is due every three years.
The primary reason given is lack of time – so, to make it easy, the Red Cross has just released a free First Aid App to celebrate World First Aid Day tomorrow.
With more than 2 million downloads from the US and UK to date, the comprehensive app is a tried and tested resource which guides users through the correct response for many incidents including heart attacks, strokes, diabetic episodes along with the more common burns, sprains and strains.
Localised for the Australian market, the App can be used anywhere, anytime and is the ideal tool to support the skills acquired through a first aid course.
“Initial feedback from students downloading the App has been fantastic,” says Dan Coad National First Aid Advisor for Red Cross.
“The biggest relief for people once trained is that they no longer feel helpless. This App makes it easy for people to keep their First Aid skills fresh and it’s so simple and easy to use, my kids have even had a go.”
The new Smartphone app, available through Google Play or the App Store, features vital life saving information, videos and quizzes to test your first aid knowledge on correct treatments for children and adults.
Learning the skills to save a life through First Aid training is one thing, but remembering what to do when under pressure is where this First Aid app can help most.
To download the app or find out more about first aid training visit http://redcross.org.au/first-aid-app.aspx
Further information
Find a first aid course near you via:
__small.png)
