If you’re interested in learning more transferrable skills, first aid should be at the top of your list. According to data from the British Red Cross, up to 59% of deaths from an injury could have been prevented if first aid had been given before the arrival of emergency services.
While paramedics, nurses, and doctors save lives on the frontline, applying your own knowledge as soon as a situation develops could make a critical difference. This guide will outline specific courses available to help employees learn the skills to deal with medical situations at work.
Are you suited for the job?
You might have a willingness to help, but you’ll need to be more than just thoughtful to assist with an accident or injury at work. Keeping calm under pressure and being able to communicate clearly with your colleagues will be of paramount importance in an emergency.
Advice from the Health and Safety Executive recommends at the very minimum that every low-risk workplace should have a first aid box and one appointed person to respond to medical situations. You’ll need to be responsible and confident to manage a situation that could cause a panicked reaction among your colleagues. You can click here for details of recommended first aid kits and supplies suitable for both home and the workplace.
You’ll need to be responsible and confident to manage a situation that could cause a panicked reaction among your colleagues.
Keeping everyone safe at work
Along with a first aid trained colleague who has completed on site first aid course on your team, it’s a sensible idea to have a separate area to protect patient privacy in case any medical situations arise. You could use clear first aid signs on the external door and on any relevant equipment inside the room to help any responders.
Most first aid language is simple, but signs could also indicate defibrillators, drinking water and first aid boxes. Pictograms could show emergency showers and eye washing stations – it’s good to have these preparations in place, even if you hope never to need them.
Why learn first aid?
For budding first-aiders, you’ll need to undertake a dedicated first-aid at-work course. You’ll be able to take the qualification with you if you change job, and it could be needed outside of work, too. Topics covered on a first aid at work course cover minor injuries including grazes, burns and eye injuries, but you’ll also learn how to help someone with:
- Asthma
- Head injuries
- Low blood sugar
You’ll also gain the confidence to deal with emergencies including:
- Adult resuscitation (CPR)
- Allergic reaction
- Using a defibrillator – including prompts and pad placement
- Severe bleeding
- Seizures
- Stroke
Not all of these situations are likely to occur in an office environment, but it’s always better to expect the unexpected. With a trained and informed first-aider on your team, emergency responders could have a better idea of the situation – working together, they might save a life.
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