As you start your journey to becoming certified, you might be wondering what is the difference between CPR and First Aid?
It can be confusing for many people, as the two of them appear to be quite similar at first glance. So, which one is the better option for you? You have to know the difference before you choose a course. In this article, we share more about the differences between CPR and first aid that you have to know!
What is CPR?
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR, is when someone who is trained alternates between repeated compressions and artificial ventilation on an individual who is not breathing at that point in time. The chest compressions, done together with mouth-to-mouth breathing are an attempt to restore breathing and blood circulation in the person.
What Do I Learn in a CPR Course?
Completing a CPR course can seem tough, but knowing how to react and help someone during an emergency is worth it. During the CPR course, participants will learn the ways to identify when someone needs help. This can include irregular breathing rate and pulse rate, a sudden lack of responsiveness, and changes in speech. After identifying the distress, individuals will learn what to do such as calling for emergency services, clearing the scene, and providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary.
What is First Aid?
First Aid is the help that is given to a person who is injured and requires immediate medical attention. First Aid focuses on many medical skills designed to help people in every emergency situation. This includes things like responding to medical emergencies like an allergic reaction, bandaging wounds, or even setting or stabilizing broken bones. Basic first aid skills like wound care can be quite universal in any medical emergency. However, there are some first aid courses that can target specific situations, such as first aid for motorists, first aid on the beach or pool, or wilderness first aid.
What Do I Learn in a First Aid Course?
A first aid course will equip you with the skills to use the tools and accessories that come in a first aid kit. First aid kits may vary but most kits contain some common items to be used for an emergency, including:
- Bandages
- Gauze
- Over the counter pain relievers
- Ointments
- Wound cleaning products
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
In addition to learning how to use the first aid kit, you will learn the skills to help during emergency situations, such as:
- How to assess the emergency situation
- How to prevent further injury to the individual
- How to treat minor injuries
- What to do when the injuries are beyond basic first aid
Attend Courses at South Florida Healthcare Institute
South Florida Health Care Institute provides quality training courses for CPR and First Aid that are AHA Certified. We are proud to offer basic training for many healthcare professionals such as nurses, medics, and school teachers. Access to proper healthcare training should be made accessible for all. Feel free to contact us for more information!
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