The Places You Never Thought You Would Use First Aid!

When people think of ‘emergency first aid’ they think of situations where an accident could be right around the corner – sports games, hiking in the mountains, or on the highway. But what we often forget are the everyday places where we first aid is required more often! When we hear of those inspiring life-saving stories (like these stories!) where someone used first aid to save a life, it is often in a place no one expected to have to. The question becomes… are you alert in all of the places where you could end up using first aid? 

Take a look at the unexpected locations where you may need to bandage, treat, medicate, or use CPR to save a life!

First Aid at the Dog Park

What better way to spend time with Fido than to head to the dog park and throw the ball around? But what happens if Fido jumps for the ball and trips, resulting in a limp? Or perhaps some dogs have a disagreement and one was bitten in the process? Pet first aid is an incredible skill to attain that can protect your dog if an accident occurs. In most pet first aid classes you will learn:

• Respiratory emergencies (choking, allergic reactions, etc.)
• Wound treatments
• Poisoning (unfortunately our dogs can get into some scary things in parks)
• Heatstroke
• Fractures
• And other common medical pet emergencies

The dog park isn’t only a place for pet first aid, but humans might require emergency assistance too! Sunstroke, bites, bee stings, twisted ankles, cardiac arrest, and other emergencies can happen at the dog park. Get trained and be prepared for anything and everything! 

Take a look at the best places to learn Pet First Aid in Calgary and register!

First Aid on a Vacation

You head to the airport, hop on a plane, fly for a few hours, and arrive at your destination – let the vacation begin! Vacations are meant to be an escape from the everyday, and with that also comes adventure (parasailing anyone?). But what happens if one of your travel companions injures themselves? In unfamiliar places you may not know where the nearest hospital or emergency facility is, so do you know how to aid a patient until help arrives? Taking a first aid course will give you the skillset and confidence to assist in the meantime!

Want to make a group activity of it? Sign your travelling group up for a private group first aid course and learn together the skills that could be just the thing to save one of your lives!

First Aid at Work

Most workplaces have a first aid kit and possibly an AED installed, but do the people sitting next to you know how to use them? For example, can they perform CPR if a cardiac emergency occurs? Do they know how to treat diabetic ketoacidosis? Are they confident in their ability to help someone who is choking in the lunchroom? 

In 2019, Alberta.ca recorded that there were 3 common workplace injuries “bodily reaction or exertion injuries [accounted for] 46 per cent; contact with objects or equipment [accounted for] 22 per cent; and falls [accounted for] 17 per cent.”

Whether you work in a small retail space, a construction site, or a corporate office, first aid is a skill that can save a life. It is strongly encouraged that first aid training be provided to all staff members so that anyone is ready to jump into action to help a co-worker or customer in an emergency! Improve the occupational health and safety of your workplace and get first aid certified.

First Aid at Home

Home is a place where we are comfortable, a place where we can sit back and relax, sleep, work on projects, throw parties, and engage with our family and friends. Of course we expect small accidents to happen at home (such as cuts, burns, trips, and scrapes) and for this we are prepared with a basic first aid kit. These kits are wonderful to have to treat small accidents, but our homes can also be the location of bigger emergencies, including:

• Cardiac arrest
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Anaphylactic shock
• Choking
• Poisoning
• Nose bleeds
• Broken bones
• Severe wounds
• Heat stroke
• Dehydration
• And other serious emergencies can also occur in our homes!

It was found by Red Cross that 36% of Canadian households do NOT have first aid training. Is your home prepared to assist in life-threatening emergencies? If not, sign yourself and your family up for online first aid training or a private group first aid course and learn the skills that could save a life, together!

Are you prepared to use first aid in some of these unexpected places? Emergencies can happen anywhere, to anyone, so why not set yourself up to be prepared! 

Looking for a first aid course that is right for you? Whether it is learning online or having one of our Red Cross instructors come to your location, take a look at the various first aid courses we offer in Calgary, Alberta and area!

Using an AED and CPR can make a drastic difference in a first response situation! When emergencies happen, it is important to act FAST! Take a look at these 15 heartwarming and lifesaving stories where action made the world a better place!