Key skills you’ll learn in a First Aid NQF Level 1 course include CPR and AED use, bleeding control, choking treatment, and how to treat burns, wounds, fractures, sprains, strains, poisoning, insect bites and stings, and shock. You’ll also learn how to treat medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and diabetic episodes. Triage, scene management, and record keeping are also covered.
If you’re considering signing up for a first aid course, here’s a more detailed breakdown of the key skills you’ll learn:
Scene Safety:
One of the most important aspects of first aid is ensuring the safety of yourself, any bystanders, and the casualty before administering treatment. First aid courses teach you how to assess the scene for hazards upon arrival.
Elementary Anatomy and Physiology:
First aid training includes a simple introduction to human anatomy and physiology, providing a basic understanding of the respiratory system, skeletal system, and cardiovascular system.
Primary Survey:
The primary survey is a cornerstone of first aid and is used to identify and treat any life-threatening injuries or issues.
DRABCD:
DRABCD is a mnemonic memory aid used to carry out the primary survey and stands for the following:
D – Danger:
Ensure safety to yourself, bystanders, and the casualty.
R – Response:
Determine if the casualty is conscious.
A – Airway:
If the casualty is unconscious, open the casualty’s airway using the ‘head-tilt/chin-lift’ method.
B – Breathing:
Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
C – Call and Circulation:
If the casualty is unconscious and not breathing, call the emergency services, get someone to fetch an AED if available, and begin CPR immediately.
D – Defibrillation:
If an AED is available, switch it on and follow the voice prompts.
CPR:
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is a critical, lifesaving emergency procedure that combines chest compressions with artificial breathing (rescue breaths) to manually circulate blood to the vital organs of the body, such as the brain. CPR is one of the most important skills you’ll learn in a first aid course.
AED Use:
An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a portable device used to restore a casualty’s normal heart rhythm in the event of cardiac arrest. Using an AED in combination with CPR drastically increases a casualty’s chances of survival and recovery.
The Secondary Survey:
The secondary survey is a more detailed assessment used to gather information, locate all injuries, and determine the casualty’s overall medical condition. Information can be gathered from the casualty (if conscious) or a friend, family member, or witness.
The acronym SAMPLE is used to carry out the secondary survey:
S – Signs and Symptoms:
Look for signs (things that you can see, smell, or measure) and symptoms (feelings or complaints the casualty tells you about).
A – Allergies:
Does the casualty have any allergies?
M – Medications:
Is the casualty on any chronic or acute medications?
P – Past Illnesses:
Does the casualty have a history of past illnesses that may be relevant to their current condition?
L – Last Oral Intake:
What was the last thing the casualty ate or drank and how long ago was that?
E – Events Leading up to the Injury/Illness:
What happened leading up to the casualty’s injury or illness? For example, did they complain of feeling nauseous/ill before collapsing, did they fall and hit their head, were they working with a dangerous substance, etc.
Recovery Position:
First Aiders are taught how to position a casualty in the lateral recovery position. This position ensures that the casualty’s airway remains open and unobstructed.
Choking:
First aid courses teach you how to treat choking in adults, children, and infants by administering back blows or abdominal thrusts.
Bleeding Control:
First aid courses teach you how to stop external bleeding through the use of direct pressure, pressure bandages, limb elevation, air splints, and, in very severe cases, tourniquets.
Wound Care:
Wound care skills include learning how to clean and dress a variety of wounds. You’ll also learn how to assess and treat nosebleeds, ear and eye wounds, impaled objects, and amputated fingers, toes, or limbs.
Calling for Help:
First Aiders are taught how to assess a casualty’s condition to quickly determine whether emergency services need to be summoned.
Shock:
First aid training focuses on recognising and treating two types of shock: hypovolemic shock (caused by severe blood loss) and anaphylactic shock (caused by a severe allergic reaction).
Burns:
Prompt first aid treatment is essential for limiting the severity of a burn wound, as cooling the damaged area prevents the injury from spreading or becoming worse. First aiders are taught how to assess the severity of a burn (superficial, partial-thickness, or full-thickness burn) and how to treat and dress burn wounds.
Head and Spinal Injuries:
The signs, symptoms, and recommended treatment of head injuries, spinal injuries, and concussions are covered in first aid courses.
Poisoning:
The treatment for poisoning depends on the type of poison and how it entered the body (ingested, absorbed, inhaled, or injected). Always seek professional help in the case of poisoning.
Bites and Stings:
Treatment for insect and animal bites and stings, including bee stings, spider bites, and snakebites, are covered.
Fractures:
First aid treatment for a fracture includes splinting the limb, keeping it stable, and monitoring the casualty for signs of shock.
Environmental Emergencies:
Treatment for weather- and exposure-related conditions like heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and hypothermia is covered in first aid courses.
Sprains and Strains:
The acronym RICE is used to remember the treatment for sprains and strains:
R – Rest
I – Ice
C – Compression
E – Elevation
Medical Emergencies:
The administration of prompt, high-quality first aid treatment can greatly improve a casualty’s chances of recovery in the event of medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, seizures, diabetic episodes, and asthma attacks.
Triage:
First Aiders are trained to apply triage and scene management in the event of a mass casualty incident.
Record Keeping:
Recording the details of incidents and accidents is important, as you as a First Aider may be called upon to provide information or give evidence at a later stage.
First Aid Kit Contents:
One of a First Aider’s responsibilities is ensuring that the first aid kit is properly stocked and maintained at all times.
Looking for a First Aid NQF Level 1 course near you?
Learn all of these skills in our two-day First Aid NQF Level 1 course, available in Johannesburg, Durban, Gqeberha, and Cape Town. Book your spot on one of our public courses held at our training venues, or, if you have a group of eight or more people, we can train you at your own premises. Contact us for more information or to make a booking.
