What is First Aid?
First Aid is the immediate assistance or treatment given to someone injured or suddenly taken ill before the arrival of an ambulance, doctor or other appropriately qualified person.
Being a First Aider
Most people can, by following the guidance given at this course, give useful and effective First Aid. However, First Aid is a skill based on knowledge, training, and experience. The term "First Aider" is usually applied to someone who has completed a theoretical and practical instruction course, and passed a professionally supervised examination.
The standard First Aid Certificate, awarded by St. John Ambulance|, St. Andrew's Ambulance Association|, and the British Red Cross|, is proof of all-round competence. A certificate is valid for only three years; to keep up to date, you must be re-examined after further training. Once qualified, you may volunteer for additional training to broaden the scope of your skills.
The course emphasis the anatomy and physiology, to enable the First Aiders to recognise what may be wrong by first having an idea of what is right.