The Importance of First Aid Training

First aid is often not appreciated until something happens to us, yet it is extremely important because it can save lives. “How can I save a life? How can I dare? How can I touch someone? What if I do something wrong?” These and many similar questions keep us away from first aid knowledge. In fact, first aid training primarily aims to teach us how to protect ourselves first.

When we encounter an incident or even when it’s mentioned, most of us react in similar ways: not wanting to intervene, fear of doing something wrong, anxiety, curious waiting, watching many incorrect practices while waiting for 112, and injured people who survive by sheer luck… If we are at the scene, we can’t just leave, and because we don’t know what’s right, we can’t tell someone who is doing the wrong thing to stop. In short, we feel helpless. And at that very moment, possibilities we don’t want to face come to mind:

- What if it were me lying on the ground?

- What if this happened to one of my loved ones?

- What if I were left alone here?

- What if I faced this at home or at work?

Receiving first aid training is very important so that we can take the right steps as quickly as possible in emergencies and know the stages that must be followed throughout the process. First aid training is life-saving not only for doing the right thing, but also for preventing wrong interventions.

So, what should be done correctly at the scene?

Following the steps Protect – Notify – Rescue will lead us to a solution in every situation. In the Protect step, we focus on creating a safe environment—safety is the top priority in first aid. As long as we are safe and alive, we can help someone else. After ensuring safety checks in the area and eliminating risks, consciousness should be checked by calling out to the person or touching their shoulder. If the person does not respond when called and/or when their shoulder is touched, they should be considered unconscious and you must immediately move to the next step: Notify.

The Notify step is calling for help by dialing **112** or another ambulance number you prefer. This step, which is as important as safety, must be done quickly and correctly. Because once you call, the professional team will set out to help and reach the patient/injured person from the nearest location.

So what is the correct way to do it? How should 112 be called?

When calling 112, use short, clear, and understandable statements. Provide the address of the incident, the number of affected people, and the seriousness of their condition. Do not hesitate to share contact information. Do not hang up until you are sure all information has been conveyed and received, and keep your phone available in case they call back. Finally, do not leave the scene until the ambulance arrives.

To review what has been done so far: even being able to complete the first two steps will be a major support for the patient/injured person. While they wait for the ambulance in a safe environment, you will have carried out many life-saving actions without touching them and without taking risks.

The interventions you perform while waiting for the ambulance fall under the Rescue step—and at this stage, it is important and mandatory that you have a first aid certificate and intervene as a trained first aider.

First aid knowledge is very important so that you can help—or call for help—for yourself, your close circle, and everyone in society during emergencies or accidents.

Because first aid saves lives!

Specialist Nurse Ayşe Şengel

First Aid Instructor