In the event of an emergency, it is essential to have the knowledge and first aid skills needed to help. Knowing how to treat common injuries and conditions can help you save a life. Here are seven first aid skills that everyone should know.

1. How to stop bleeding

One of the essential first aid skills is knowing how to stop bleeding. If a person is bleeding, you should apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. If the bleeding will not stop, you may need to use a bandage or tourniquet.

2. How to treat a burn

If someone has a minor burn, you should run cool water over the burn for a few minutes. You may also wish to apply a cream or ointment to the burn. For more serious burns, you will need to keep the area clean and arrange for medics to assess and treat the victim.

3. How to treat a snakebite

If a snake bites someone, you should call the emergency services immediately. Until help arrives, you should immobilise the person's arm to prevent the spread of poison and keep them calm.

4. How to deal with a heart attack

If someone has a heart attack, you make them comfortable and call for medical assistance right away. Until help arrives, if the person collapses and stops breathing, you will need to administer CPR.

5. What to do if someone chokes

If someone starts to choke, you should give them a few sharp blows between their shoulder blades. If this does not work, you should perform the Heimlich manoeuvre.

6. How to perform CPR

If someone is not breathing, you should administer CPR until help arrives. On a first aid course, you will learn the theory behind CPR and have the opportunity to practice on a dummy.

7. How to treat a head injury

If someone has a head injury, you need to assess them and ensure that they are breathing adequately and monitor their level of consciousness. If they are unconscious as a result of the injury, you should keep the person safe until help arrives. For example, if the person is vomiting, turn them on their side to avoid them choking on their own vomit.

These are just some of the first aid skills that everyone should know. Having these skills can mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation. By signing up to attend a first aid course, you can learn these skills. If you would like more info, you should contact a first aid training provider today. A member of the team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

For more information on first aid, contact a professional near you.