What is the value of learning some basic first-aid and CPR? The answer is, it is invaluable.

The average response time for first responders in America today is roughly 7 to 10 minutes. Of course, this time range can vary depending on your location and first responder availability, etc. Why does it matter? A lot of bad things can occur in that 7 to 10 minutes. That’s the reality. Are you prepared? Do you know what to do while you wait after calling 911? What happens if 911 puts you on hold (yes, it has happened more than once), or when you just cannot get a signal to call out in the first place? How long will you have to wait for help to arrive? What are you going to do in the interim? What do you know how to do?

The short? The value of having the knowledge and ability, when it comes to basic first-aid and CPR (and AED) knowledge, is that it makes you capable (or at least more capable). You are capable when the system fails or at least when it is slower than what a bad situation may require. By knowing some basic first-aid and CPR, you have the skills and know-how to render aid, possibly even save a life.

Value to Yourself

The value to you as an individual is that by knowing some basic first-aid and CPR skills you have the knowledge, capability, and confidence to act and maybe even save yourself. Self-preservation definitely comes into play. And just maybe, through these earned attributes, you are in turn inspired and maybe even driven to help others as well. You may even have a sense of obligation to help come about once you get some training.

Of course, you cannot really give CPR to yourself; but there are plenty of other things you can do for yourself with just some basic skills and knowledge.

In the case of you and others being injured at the same time (i.e. vehicle accident, active shooter, civil unrest, etc.), being able to care for yourself, if you are not too severely injured, potentially puts you in a position of being an asset. Why? Because you may be able to go on and render aid to others. If you can render aid to yourself first, it not only may allow you to help, it likely makes you less of a liability, as it allows first-responders to give more attention to the others needing more help or advanced care.

If nothing else, knowing some basic first-aid can mean the difference between you being able to take care of yourself or you having to be dependent on others. Your choice.

We may not always be able to effect change positively; but I’d rather take a shot at it than choosing to be helpless or remain ignorant.

Value to Your Family

It should be obvious; but by having the ability to render first-aid or provide CPR, you are even a greater asset to your family because you are capable of taking care of them when emergencies strike. This would seem to be an important consider if you have children or aging loved-ones in the mix.

Even if you have made the decision not to help anyone beyond your family, immediate or extended, obtaining basic first-aid and CPR skills puts you in the position of being able to provide care and comfort to those you love most. This alone should encourage us all to get training! Plus, it’s you that would be helping them and not some stranger. Shouldn’t that count for something too?

Value to Your Community

In my lifetime, it seems the sense of community that once existed has slowly eroded. It has been talked about in recent years. Neighbors seem not to talk all that regularly, if at all, and sometimes you cannot even get someone to wave back at you. I get it. We are all busy and many have turned into ourselves being a part of a technology and social media obsessed society.

Once you obtain some basic first-aid and CPR skills, the way you can give back to your community is by being willing to render aid to those in need, whether it be running to rescue a neighbor that has collapsed in their backyard or being first on scene after a traffic accident. 

That’s right! You can even help a perfectly good stranger. What better way to give back and in doing so, maybe help bring back that sense of community again. After all, helping our fellow man, as we are able, is not a bad thing.

Value to Your Organization

Helping Co-Workers

While we probably have all had a co-worker or two we might have wished harm to at a point (not literally, of course), I bet if they were in need and you had the training, you would help them. Let’s face it. We spend far too much time with our co-workers for not helping them to be an option, if we are capable. Are you telling me you would instead stand there and watch them suffer or die? Maybe in our thoughts but not in reality.

Organizational Staff

As an organization, you may need to have staff certified, re-certified, or move your organization closer to being inline with industry regulations or required compliance. In doing so, you are not only meeting any requirements there are; but you are creating a safer and better prepared workspace when related training is prioritized and provided to your staff. Those that do get training can then provide aid to co-workers, customers/visitors, or others they may come across in their own lives. Being in compliance or not, creating such an environment is a good thing.

Conclusion

Will we be able to help in every case or save everyone? No, of course not, as some things will just be beyond our capabilities or what fate allows for. However, knowing some basic skills and having the willingness to do something to help puts us ahead of those that just want to stand around taking photos and videos.

Yes, it can be hard to think about bad things happening; but we also cannot afford to think and behave like bad things cannot or will not happen. Most of us have the ability to act; why choose to be a victim or helpless? After all…

No one is coming to save us. We are all responsible for our own personal safety and preparedness; and we are our own (and our family’s) first responders. And just maybe along the way, we can help someone else too.

Interested in learning? OwnGuard Solutions can help! We offer classes that can provide you with the knowledge and capability to help when and if the time comes.

And… Hats off to all the first responders out there. We appreciate ya!

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