84-year-old proves you're never too old to learn first aid
Do you know how to help a loved one if they are hurt or sick? If not, it could be time to learn.
When Wendy Smith of Salisbury, South Australia, did her first aid training at St John Ambulance little did she know that her training would be put to use so soon in saving the life of her neighbour who had suffered a cardiac arrest. Her neighbour in the suburb north of Adelaide had collapsed in his home and when Ms Smith found him, he was no longer breathing.
The training she had learned in the first aid course kicked into gear. She instructed her partner to call an ambulance and commenced CPR for about 10 minutes before the paramedics arrived.
While knowing how to administer first aid is important in preserving life until paramedics arrive, it also gives you the knowledge and confidence to act when you see an accident or someone have a heart attack. In other instances, and without training, a person may go into shock and not act instantly because they don’t have that training.
Sharyn Mitten, chief executive of St John Ambulance South Australia, says it’s vital people of all ages know first aid because in an emergency it can mean the difference between life and death. “Situations where people require first aid can happen anywhere anytime, including when you’re looking after grandchildren when knowledge of first aid including asthma and allergy management can be critical,” she says.
“Senior citizens are also more vulnerable to medical emergencies and household accidents such as falls. Strokes, heart attacks and other medical emergencies occur more often within the senior years, so it is important for seniors to know basic first aid to assist themselves or partner if needed.”
If you’re thinking you may be too old to learn first aid, consider Mary Lindon’s example. The 84-year-old South Australian recently completed an Apply First Aid Course with St John Ambulance as part of her role in coordinating the Seniors in Harmony Program – a partnership with the Mitcham Anglican Church and the City of Mitcham. The program provides monthly music events for up to 95 seniors and people with disabilities.
“Different incidents are common at different stages of life, but first aid is always constant. It doesn’t matter what age you are, first aid is for everyone – you never know when you’re going to need it,” Ms Mitten says. “First aid classes include practical hands on training that’s simple and easy for people of all ages to remember.”
First aid is useful for everyone and anyone to learn. It’s not just about helping crash victims at the roadside while you’re waiting for the ambulance to arrive, but can help contain or minimise the effects of an accident or injury, which can occur every day and in any situation.
First aid is the provision of emergency treatment and life support for people who suffer an injury or sudden illness. In some cases, it can mean saving a person’s life or in others, it can simply mean calming and reassuring an injured person who may have gone into shock.
The majority of accidents happen in and around the home, which makes it important for everyone to know basic first aid. And it doesn’t take long to learn either. There are a number of different types of courses available, with courses ranging in length from a few hours to a couple of days to complete. If you’d like to find out more information on learning first aid visit www.stjohn.org.au.