5 First Aid Skills to Learn

As we approach World Health Day on April 7, let's remind ourselves that health isn't just personal; it takes a village. Here are the top five first aid skills that everyone should learn to help keep our community safe and healthy:

1. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation): It's a stark reality that around 350,000 Americans suffer from sudden cardiac arrest annually. By performing CPR immediately, you could potentially double the chances of survival. With just half of us confident in our CPR skills, there's room for everyone to learn. You can view my videos on social media and book a course to learn how you can save a life.

2. Choking Relief: More common than cardiac arrests are choking incidents. They're especially dangerous for children, and knowing how to respond could be the difference between life and death. According to the National Safety Council, one child dies every five days from choking on food and there are about 10,000 emergency room visits each year due to choking related emergencies.

3. Recognizing Heart Attacks: Heart disease doesn't wait. Recognizing a heart attack and acting swiftly by calling 911 could leverage the "Golden Hour," greatly improving survival rates. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for men and women with around one American having a heart attack every 40 seconds. About 800,000 people will have heart attacks this year and about 12% of those will not survive, according to the CDC.

4. Controlling Bleeding: As the leading preventable cause of death after injuries, knowing how to stop severe bleeding is essential. Simple techniques like applying pressure, packing a wound, or using a tourniquet could save a life. Blood loss is responsible for 35% of all pre-hospital deaths. A person can die from blood loss in as little as 5 minutes.

5. Managing Seizures: If you see someone having a seizure, you can immediate help by calling 911, ensuring their safety, and knowing how to position them can prevent further injury. Place them on the floor, move all objects out of the way, protect them from harm, and put a pillow or your hands or thighs underneath their head. Roll them on their side once they are done convulsing to protect their airway.

Want to become proficient in these lifesaving skills? I invite you to follow my Instagram and Facebook page for FREE tips and tutorials.

Stay safe and healthy!