The History of First Aid Training and Its Far Reaching Benefits Today

From the earliest times the need for rudimentary first aid and medical assistance has been utilised particularly in battle situations when men were required to be patched up and returned to the field. These ministrations would often consist of little more than crude bandaging.

The 'first' First Aid Training

However, in 1859 the Battle of Solferino in Italy resulted in such suffering and horrific wounds that a businessman called Henry Dunant was moved to organise local people to care for the wounded. This meant local women and girls receiving formal training in first aid to give wounded men the best chances of survival. Following the establishment of temporary hospitals Dunant wrote a book about his experiences and this led to the establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863. From humble beginnings the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent now has 190 member National Societies and their main mission remains the provision of first aid services.

First Aid in the modern era

In the modern era we are much more aware now of the need for assistance on various levels. Whether at work, in the home or out and about a situation could arise where initial medical assistance is needed before the arrival of emergency services. This is where first aid training proves its usefulness.

Many people are acutely aware of how much of a difference this vital first aid can make to the outcome in an emergency situation and are enthusiastic in their willingness to undertake first aid training. A first aid training course can prepare you for any eventuality and ensure that you know exactly what to do in any given situation.

First Aid Training at work

The advent of Health and Safety legislation means that in most cases employers are obliged to assess whether first aid personnel are needed in their premises and if so, are obliged to use a suitably qualified first aid training provider.

There are a variety of aid training courses you can undertake which offer a range of first aid qualifications, such as a basic level Emergency First Aid at Work, Award in Basic Life Support and Award in the use of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Defibrillation, to name just a random sample. The first aid training courses which you undertake will largely depend on your personal requirements or those of an employer.

Rather than remain an impotent bystander when an accident happens, why not get a first aid training qualification and be the one who makes a difference? You could help save a life.