Why First Aid and CPR Certification is Important for Emergencies and Disasters

Articles on Emergencies | Topics: emergencies, emergency, disasters, disaster

by Irvin Eaton

To be honest, during a community wide disaster, emergency personnel are up to their ears in calls. They get to everyone they can, but people are often left waiting much longer than normal due to the flood of requests for help. This reason is one of the best to get certified in first aid and CPR. When disaster strikes, there is less help available on the outside. If something happens to you or your family, you will want to know that you and your family are somewhat capable of handling the situation until the professionals can arrive or you can get to a hospital.

The Facts

Basic first aid and CPR courses are typically offered several times a year in various towns across the world. They are almost always free, which makes them even more appealing. Things you learn in these courses are great for everyday life as well as emergencies and disasters. They will help give you the skills you need to help yourself and those around you. You can learn how to detect things such as stroke, heart attack, and other injuries. You will also learn how to do basic medical procedures to help the victim and prolong their life. This information is more valuable than any other and should be taken in a serious manner. At times of disaster, the information will be so valuable, that you may find yourself tending to many neighbors and family members in a row. When more people know these skills, more people will survive disastrous events.

Buying Time

There is only about 4 to 6 minutes available after someone stops breathing before their lack of oxygen can cause massive brain damage or death. If you know CPR and are near someone when they need it, you can help them to "breathe" until professional emergency workers arrive. This will help oxygen circulate through their body to their brain. The body sees it as being viable oxygen and you will essential buy them more time. Once the professionals arrive, they will be able to take over and do what they can to save the individual. A large portion of individuals are home with adults who might have been able to save them when a situation like this occurs. Knowing what to do is vital in these situations.

Don't Rely On Someone Else

Bit of History

There is something so settled and stodgy about turning a great romance into next of kin on an emergency room form, and something so soothing and special, too.

—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)

Many times people neglect to take first aid and CPR training because they assume someone else will be there to help them. This is one of the biggest mistakes. You often see one parent in the family getting certified in case their family needs them. However, unless that one parent never leaves their family's side, then it does no good. Everyone in the home should be certified, so that no matter who is at home, there will always be someone who knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Disasters Bring Injury

As horrible as it may sound, many disasters do bring on more injuries than expected. When a town is faced with a hurricane, tornado, or massive fire, there are bound to be citizens who are injured. To be as prepared as possible to help your loved ones or neighbors, you should know and be trained in basic first aid and CPR skills. Your knowledge could mean the difference between life and death for someone you know. Since you never know when a disaster may strike, it is best to take a course at least once a year in these skills.

Everything Wiped Away

As the world has seen lately, in certain disasters, there is nothing left. When a massive hurricane hits, there may not be a hospital to visit when you are injured. If you are trained in CPR or first aid training, you will be more likely to survive and help your family survive. You may need to tend to someone will a large cut on their arm while driving to the next town for help. There are many situations that can occur in which you will need to rely on yourself and your skills to get through. So, be sure to get educated on these skills that you may need one day to survive or help your family survive.

We strive to provide only the finest articles on our website. If there is a specific topic about emergencies that you do not see but would like us to cover, please contact us here.

Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Why First Aid and CPR Certification is Important for Emergencies and Disasters" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by BellwetherPress.com.

Wedding Planning Software – A Great Guide for the Lost Bride
By Ricardo Velez
Anyone who has planned a wedding or even helped in planning knows just how daunting the task can really be. With so many things to consider and make arrangement for, it is easy to get mixed up or lost in the process....

Bullying Articles
By Isiah Ochoa
Although I know not everyone who reads this article will agree with me, I think that staying abreast of current events is one of the most important things that a child can learn in school. Current events articles teach a child to be an involved citizen in his or her community....

18th Birthday
By Tim Little
Parents often have a difficult time watching their children grow up. Birthdays come and go and before we know it our children are adults....

Find more articles about emergencies...

Emergencies Articles | Terms | Privacy | Contact