When you are learning how to help during emergencies, you may have heard about First Aid and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). They are the most basic and crucial skills for saving lives. If you are considering a profession that may require the First Aid and CPR certification such as lifeguard or security guard, it will be helpful to understand the difference between both these skills. Additionally, you can also consider learning these skills to be better prepared for emergencies in general.
CPR is specifically helpful in a situation where someone’s heart stops or they can’t breathe. On the other hand, First Aid includes a variety of skills for different kinds of emergencies along with CPR. If you are looking for a certified organisation to get the training, it will be a good move to first understand what sets both these skills apart. In this blog, we are going to look at the key differences to help you decide which training is right for you.
First Aid Training
First Aid training courses are designed to teach you how to provide urgent medical assistance to people who are hurt or sick. This course trains you how to deal with different sorts of emergencies for example putting bandages on cuts, helping people with allergic reactions, or fixing broken bones until professional help arrives.
Additionally, you can take specific First Aid courses designed for certain situations such as for the workplace and outdoor activities. First Aid training aims to make sure that you know how to deal with different kinds of emergencies. Thus, First Aid training teaches you how to jump in and save the day, regardless of how minor the injury is.
What You’ll Learn in the First Aid Course (HLTAID011)
- You will learn how to effectively use the items commonly found in the First Aid kit, such as bandages, gauze, scissors, ointments, and wound cleaning products.
- You will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the first person on the emergency site. This includes judging the situation, providing First Aid, and if required coordinating with emergency services.
- You will develop the skills to prioritise the task according to urgency, quickly recognize the seriousness of the emergency, and make sure everyone around you is safe.
- You will learn how to treat minor injuries like cuts and scrapes, along with serious ones such as fractures, dislocations, and excessive bleeding, while reducing further harm to the injured person.
- You will learn how to prevent injuries from getting worse and how to maintain the stability and comfort of the wounded person until medical help arrives. This involves methods of immobilisation in addition to comforting and assuring.
CPR Training
Under CPR training you learn how to treat a person who is having a cardiac arrest, which occurs when a person’s heart suddenly stops beating. In this emergency, the individual stays unconscious and is unable to breathe on their own. CPR is the main treatment for cardiac arrest and it involves providing an artificial heartbeat and blood circulation to an individual to prevent their vital organs from getting damaged.
Additionally, during your CPR training, they will also teach you to determine when someone needs CPR and how you can perform it effectively. The main aim of CPR is to keep the oxygenated blood flowing through the body until medical assistance arrives. While CPR can’t help to restart the heart, it can buy you more time for additional medical intervention, which further increases the chances of a person’s survival.
What You’ll Learn in CPR Course (HLTAID009)
- In CPR training you will learn how to identify several signs such as unexpected unresponsiveness, uneven breathing, and symptoms of distress in a person.
- You will be instructed on what to do during an emergency which includes maintenance of scene security, how to dial the emergency number, and carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when required.
- CPR course also covers the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), this device analyses a person’s cardiac rhythm and offers a step-by-step guide to the responder. It also occasionally involves giving the heart an electric shock to control its beat.
- Individuals who receive CPR and AED training have the skill to respond quickly when someone suddenly stops breathing due to their natural reasons. This ability to act timely greatly increases the chances of saving a precious life.
- You’ll learn that there are many myths about CPR, such as the idea that it can always restart a heart that has stopped the idea that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is always needed, and several others.
First Aid and CPR: What’s the Difference?
Here are the key differences between CPR and First Aid:
1. CPR is Exclusive and First Aid is Broad
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) particularly targets patients who experience cardiac arrest, which is a serious situation where a person’s heart suddenly stops beating. CPR treatment is exclusively limited to cases of cardiac arrest and aims to get the heart back to normal. On the other hand, First Aid refers to a broad spectrum of emergency assistance given to people before the arrival of qualified medical professionals. In addition to cardiac arrest, it assists in a variety of situations treating different injuries, diseases, or medical emergencies.
2. CPR is needed for Severe Situations
CPR is crucial in severe cases like cardiac arrest, where early intervention greatly improves survival chances. Timing is important, and quickly providing CPR treatment can save lives. Additionally, First Aid is also important, however, it is often used to treat less serious injuries such as wounds, bruises, and burns. Such situations might not call for immediate medical attention, but they are still essential. Whether it’s doing quick chest compressions to restore the flow of blood or providing immediate care for minor injuries, CPR and First Aid training prepare individuals to respond effectively to a variety of situations.
3. CPR is Based on Procedure
CPR uses specific, stated procedures to restore blood circulation and oxygen flow to vital organs. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves learning how to carry out basic procedures such as compressions to the chest and rescue breaths to respond correctly to cardiac arrest. On the contrary, emergency treatment methods can vary depending on the nature of the injuries or medical issues. First Aid providers have been instructed in several methods for dealing with various emergencies, including dressing to treat choke incidents.
4. CPR and First Aid Have Unique Goals
The main aim of CPR is to restart blood circulation and avoid permanent harm to vital organs resulting from cardiac arrest. The goal of CPR is to keep the person alive until professional medical assistance arrives. First Aid, on the other hand, offers various functions, including delivering instant relief, maintaining the person’s condition, and preventing further injury. It covers a broader range of injuries and medical emergencies than cardiac arrest.
5. Differences in Training
CPR training generally teaches CPR processes, such as chest compressions and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED). It promotes timely response and effective CPR treatment in situations of urgency. First Aid training, on the other hand, covers a wider range of injuries, illnesses, and emergencies, requiring an in-depth knowledge of medical treatments. Learners learn how to provide urgent treatment and support in a variety of situations, including controlling bleeding and treating fractures.
How to Obtain CPR and First Aid Certification in Sydney
People can take part in certification courses offered by numerous training facilities, hospitals, and organisations in Sydney to get their CPR and First Aid certifications. These courses are designed in accordance with the guidelines set by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC), ensuring quality training.
You can choose between online courses, blended learning, and traditional classroom-based training based on your choices and availability. Those who complete the CPR and First Aid course are given a certification card as confirmation of their CPR and First Aid skills and knowledge. Additionally, this certification offers confidence to an individual to perform these skills at the time of emergency situations.
It is also important to know that these certification courses are available for people from different backgrounds, not just limited to those who are in the healthcare or childcare profession. Be it a parent, student, or someone who works with the general public, earning your CPR and First Aid certification gives you the necessary life-saving abilities for managing emergencies with effectiveness.
Conclusion
Whether you are someone who wants to strengthen their response to emergency abilities or want to learn these skills because their profession demands it, knowing the difference between CPR and First Aid training is key. First Aid training provides a broader range of skills to manage a variety of injuries and medical situations, whereas CPR focuses on particular rescue methods for victims of cardiac arrest.
Multisec Training offers complete CPR and First Aid certification courses in Sydney that meet the highest requirements set by the Australian Resuscitation Council. Join us to acquire the essential life-saving skills needed to confidently respond to emergencies and make a positive impact in your community. For Further assistance call us at 1300 891 503 or send an email to study@multisectraining.edu.au.
