First aid course done...

[ChampagneKisses]

I've had to do a one day first aid course because of a small step up at work. I didn't want to do it but had to. To be fair it was very interesting and I really enjoyed learning again.
I've been looking back through the book they give you and it's hit me that if something happens at work or even just in day to day life then I have a responsibility to step up but I'm so worried that I'll forget everything in the panic and just go blank.
I will read back through the whole book just as a refresher but will I be able to help if needed?
Anyone else done this and just known what to do when the time came?

I did a 3 day first aid course at Xmas time and I hardly remember any of it.

Realistically, though, if there's any situation that common sense won't get you through you'd need to call 999 anyway!

A few members of the public have been lucky/unlucky enough to collapse more or less in front of me out and about. Although I’m an extremely anxious (and medicated) person, my natural instinct was to act quickly as I had to. Doing something (almost on auto pilot) seemed more sensible than standing there flapping, like others did each time!

In most emergency situations your job will be to call the emergency services, keep yourself and the injured person calm, keep them warm and tell the gormless bystanders to get lost if they’re just going to stare!

Don’t panic is easier said than done but your natural instinct to act will take over. Just being there with the person is something.

Also remember to NEVER do anything you’re uncomfortable with. Even pre-covid I would have NOT given a rescue breath to anyone in CPR, and I would still be nervous using a defibrillator but there are instructions on it, I guess!

This is why I've never opted to be a first aider. The panic.

I'm the same, did a baby first aid course when my daughter was born & I don't remember any of it despite it being a few months ago.

It usually kicks in
I'm very much... small thing like dropping milk "panic panic", person with leg hanging off "right ok" totally calm. People have commented on it before (a guy got sprayed in the face with acid and it just kicked in what to do)

Even as a first aider in an emergency your first action should be 999, the call handler will prompt you.

It is a responsibility, but the thing is its so much better to have that knowledge because most people would try to step in and help anyway most of the time.

But as for using the actual certificate, you'll find you probably never even really need to use it.

The twice DH has used his, was when someone was having a heart attack and when someone got ran over.

Both times the 999 service were talking him through what to do anyway

I do a first aid course every 2-3 years, either to keep my scuba diving qualification up to date or as the work first aider. I once had to give CPR to someone on a snorkelling expedition, it saved his life. The adrenaline definitely kicked in. I would say though, it's important to do refresher courses. I'd been taking regular courses for over 10 yrs when I had to use it, so the information was well cemented in my brain. Well done, it's a great thing you've done!

There are apps you can get for your phone - download one and then you can get someone to talk you through the right action if the worst happens. For example British Red Cross has one.

St John Ambulance has one, too.

Mostly at work, I've had to deal with paper cuts and people not being near their asthma inhaler. I did have one with chest pains, and the paramedics were speaking to me as I got to the man in question, so I didn't think much, other than arguing with them about giving aspirin. "We're not allowed!" "We're telling you to do it; if it causes any issues, we'll be there within 5 minutes so can sort it out."

When I found my mother collapsed having thrown up blood everywhere, I knew it was an ambulance job and I couldn't do anything.

I think I'd feel far worse coming across a casualty and having know idea what to do, than having some idea of how to get them into the recovery position or putting a dressing on a cut. At the very least, I should be able to give the paramedics an idea of the urgency.