If you were faced with an emergency situation, would you know how to act? If you’ve had some training, then that’s great; however, practice drills can differ greatly from real situations. While the steps given during training seminars should be utilized, the pressure of reality can cause a lot of people to forget what they learned. “Practice makes perfect” is an adage that should always be prioritized. In addition to relentless practice, commit these 3 tips to memory as best as you can.

Assess The Situation: Is It Safe? What Happened?

Even when the stakes are high, you should always consider your safety first. After all, if something happens to you while trying to help, you’re just going to make the whole situation that much worse. Instead of rushing in, take 10 seconds to understand what happened, who else was involved, and whether anyone else is available to help.  

If The Person is Awake & Not Their Bleeding Isn’t Life-Threatening…

Get their permission to help them first: tell the person who you are, what training you’ve had, and what you plan to do to treat them. Once they’ve given consent, get the first aid kit, AED and personal protection equipment (PPE). To protect yourself and the patient, make sure that you are at least wearing gloves before administering any treatment. Make sure to ask them about their medical history, such as if there’s any allergies that you should be aware of. 

If The Person Appears Unresponsive…

Try to wake them by shouting their name. If they are a child or an adult, tap them on the shoulder. If they are an infant, tap them on the foot. If they are not responsive or breathing after 5 -10 seconds of checking, sent for someone to call 911 and begin CPR.