All of us like to be useful to the society in our own small way. One way is to become a trained first aider and be a Good Samaritan during emergency situations. A first aider is not going to replace the medical staff. His role is to merely provide the basic medical help, try and keep the victim breathing, reduce his pain and manage the onlookers and other people by not alarming them.
Various agencies these days are offering training programs which can help and train you to be become a professional first aider. But how do you know which of these organizations is the best? Follow the checklist below and pick the right trainer for yourself.
What to Look for in a First Aid Training Program
1. Cost of the training program: Check around to see how much the training program costs. An all inclusive first aid course should cost around $100 and give about 8 hours of training while the basic will cost around $50 which may last for 2 hours. Online training programs are cheaper and take lesser time.
2. Qualifications of the trainer: Check the qualifications of the trainer. Find out when and where he was trained. Make sure his certification is updated and he is teaching only the modern system. First aid keeps getting updated with procedures and medicines getting updated often.
3. Experience of the trainer: Find out about the experience of your trainer. Ex paramedics are generally the best trainers for they are quick and smart in assessing trauma situations and impart the knowledge with dedication. An experienced trainer will be very passionate and try to teach you the very best.
4. Details about the training: Find out about the time and place of the program. Generally gymnasiums, hospitals, community centers and healthcare facilities offer training.
5. Certification: Confirm what kind of certification they give, the validity of the certification and the duration of the validity. Training certificates don't expire but have to updated every now and then in order to be in touch. Keep yourself certification updated so that you are in touch with the latest procedures.
6. Mode of assessment: Some agencies have a written exam, some have practicals and some others have both. The most traditional method involves using the mannequin for training. These days, online certification programs are available who have only written exams.
7. Size of the batch: Find out how many people are going to be there in your training batch. Smaller the batch, the more the concentration will be on each participant.
8. Style of the course: First aid provider only gives initial assistance to the injured, his role is not to replace the medical staff. Likewise, find out if the training program is more medical in nature with a lot of medical jargon or technical with just the know how's. Find out what you are personally comfortable with and join accordingly.
Get yourself the right trainer, the right organization and the right spirit and be useful in emergency situations.
For more information please visit our Bloodborne Pathogen Training and First Aid Training web pages.
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