Appropriately trained bystander response is critical in cases of emergency. Additionally, these trainings are tied directly to self-efficacy. Students taking these courses have the potential to increase emergency response in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Having this training has broken down barriers regarding willingness to perform lifesaving skills (Kandakai & King, 2013).
This information does not substitute for formal training, it is highly recommended that you seek training and certification in first-aid, CPR, stop-the-bleed, and other bystander-responder courses. We will post updates regularly on local classes.
American Red Cross provides training for CPR, First-Aid, AED, and many other life-saving skills. They are available on-line, as well as around Maryland. Many local community colleges also offer courses as well.
Can and Bayer (2023) found in their study 86.3% of the mothers in Turkey state that they have not had the first-aid training and 42.9% of them reported that they have encountered a situation requiring first-aid resulting mostly (60.1%) in an injury.
Appropriately trained bystander response is critical in cases of emergency. Research has consistently shown that trained individuals are more competent than those without training. Therefore, offering first aid training to laypersons and children was found to be significantly efficient in producing sound first aid practices (Gülmez-Dağ and Çapa-Aydın, 2015). Furthermore, such training is tied directly to self-efficacy, the perception of how capable one believes themselves to be; such as lending first aid assistance in emergency cases. A course of action can be shaped by thought, thus predict the action; if persons believe they do not have the capability to produce certain outcomes, they may not attempt, they must increase their resilience. Low self-efficacy can hinder the application of first-aid knowledge, even if the person is knowledgeable and skilful (Gülmez-Dağ and Çapa-Aydın, 2015).
Wei (2013) studied parental self-sufficiency in Taiwan and found that parents' overall rate of knowledge of first aid was 72%. The average score for absolute confidence in parents' self-efficacy of first aid was 26.6%. The lowest scores for self-efficacy were with regard to choking and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Wei (2013) found evidence that knowledge of first aid is a predictor of parents' self-efficacy.
Miner, et al. (2022) found community members displayed improvements, including in disaster-related first aid skills, self-efficacy, willingness to respond, and especially knowledge. Self-efficacy showed increases as well as willingness to act or respond at varying degrees.
The American Red Cross (ARC) Responding to Emergencies course was evaluated among college men and women undergraduates (Kandakai & King, 2013). Their perceived ability and willingness to perform lifesaving skills in emergency situations. Results show that the course was highly effective in improving students' perceived self-efficacy of performing lifesaving skills; all subscales improved except the outcome values for rescue breathing and control for severe bleeding. Students also broke down barriers regarding willingness to perform lifesaving skills. Such courses have the potential to increase emergency response rates of persons trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (Kandakai & King, 2013).
Logan, et al., 2006, p. 191-192
Every home should have a first-aid kit, you can easily find a kit online or at a drug-store. It is important to familiarize yourself with your kit, as well as ensure it is customized for your needs, *be sure no items expire (Torres, 2021).
Particularly given the tenuous situation of stalking, some may want to consider being prepared to stay elsewhere. Having a bug-out bag or go-bag stocked with essentials for you and your family is highly recommended, though may not be realistic for every person/circumstance (Torres, 2021).
Wash the wound, pat it dry, apply a bandage. Do not use peroxide, this disturbs cellular growth. If it continues to bleed, apply another bandage or see a doctor (Torres, 2021).
They can fall asleep, monitor the person every 30mins (Torres, 2021). Do not apply ice directly on the skin, wrap in a towel, on/off for 20mins.
Monitor for "stroke-like" symptoms i.e.:
Remove the person from danger. Remove their clothes (safely). Clean the area or products. Cool the skin under cool tap or ice water. Do NOT use butter (Torres, 2021). Cover the site with antibiotic-ointment for pain, and loose gauze.
If an object is in a persons eye, use a cup to cover, tape to secure, cover the OTHER eye as well, and report to the ER. Apply gauze around objects, secure in place using ace-bandages in an "X" fashion, and take the person to the hospital.
While there is a universal sign for choking, and often we may suspect choking, one should confirm choking before acting, because another may be unable to speak. Ask the person to stand up, bend them at the waist, hit them open-handed, five times in the back, between the shoulder-blades, in an upward manner. If that doesn't work, perform the Heimlich, stand behind them, put your fist, thumb-side-in, between the bottom of their ribcage and belly-button (Torres, 2021). Hold that hand with the other, and thrust upward, to remove the object. If the person passes out, perform CPR.
Cardiac arrest: is a malfunction in the heart's electrical functioning. It may have stopped or begin beating arrhythmically (Torres, 2021).
Heart attacks: are a loss of circulatory functioning, either an artery has become/becoming more occluded (Torres, 2021). The signs are chest pain, pressure radiating from the chest often down the left arm, nausea, and vomiting. Women often have atypical symptoms, such as jaw pain, back-pain, or severe fatigue. This can take hours to weeks to progress. This may not require CPR, but one should not exert themselves, loosen clothes and take aspirin, chew it to slow absorption (Torres, 2021).
Water in the lungs can cause asphyxiation due to lack of oxygen. If you suspect drowning, throw a flotation device/rope. Do not attempt to swim out to the person, a drowning person is a danger to others; panicked they can accidentally pull others down in an attempt to reach the surface (Torres, 2021). If you must help them, approach from behind. Once to safety, perform CPR if necessary, put them on their side to recover.
To recognize a stroke remember the acronym "FAST."
F: Has the person's face changed, such has drooping, or asymmetry?
A: Ask the person to raise both arms, if one is weaker or drooping, this is an indication.
S: Is the person's speech slurred or incoherent?
T: Time is critical, if all the answers to the above questions are yes, the person is losing brain function, and may be having a stroke, seek medical attention promptly (Torres, 2021).
CPR is a life-saving technique administered to someone who is unconscious, not breathing, and/or has no pulse. The purpose is to preserve brain function and re-start the heart (Torres, 2021). You only have 3-5 minutes until help arrives.
Instructions:
Check airway obstruction, open their mouth, using the head-tilt-lift method, remove any observed obstructions, careful not to push something further. Push on the adult or teen's chest at 100 beats a minute. The rhythm should be "Stayin' Alive!"
Proper CPR training should be received before administration.
Children require a gentler technique. Check airway obstruction, open their mouth, using the head-tilt-lift method, remove any observed obstructions, careful not to push something further (Torres, 2021).
For infants: Use only the tips of your first two fingers on their breast-bone, to the same tune, press their chest down only one inch, 30x then timed breaths. Lift their head to elevate their chin, covering their nose and mouth, with your mouth breath 2x. repeat, until help arrives.
For small children: Use both hands to press on their chest, to the same tune, press their chest down only two inches, 30x then timed breaths. Lift their head to elevate their chin, hold their nose and breath into their mouth, breath 2x. repeat, until help arrives.
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