- To preserve life – making sure the casualty’s airway is open, that they are breathing. Controlling bleeding, so they do not bleed to death.
- To prevent their condition from worsening – immobilizing (keeping still) the casualty’s injury, preventing further bleeding and infection, positioning the casualty correctly.
- To promote recovery – treating for shock, shock if left untreated can kill. Protecting the casualty from further injury, or protecting them from the environment, for example getting too hot or too cold
What do we learn in a Class A first aid course?
- Medico-legal aspects and responsibilities of the first aid attendant
- Knowledge of the emergency medical services
- Safety and scene management
- Primary and secondary survey
- The recovery position and practical on each student
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, children and adults practical
- Shock
- Choking, children and adults practical
- Wounds and controlling bleeding theory and practical
- Heart attacks
- Fainting
- Strokes
- Medical emergencies – Epilepsy and Diabetes
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Head, pelvis and spinal injuries and practical splinting
- Burns
- Dressings and Bandaging
- Hot and cold effects on the body
- Poisoning and abused drugs including snake bites
- Emotional problems
- Movement of a patient
- Occupation health and safety regulations
The Class A first aid course is normally a two to two and a half day course depending on numbers. The total course fee is N$550.00 (incl VAT) per person, trained locally. Minimum student numbers are 10 per class in Swakopmund, for traveling out we gladly do quotations to company specifications. We also will gladly join smaller groups should companies not have enough students. Students receive the A4 manual, which they keep, as well as a CPR mouth piece for practice sessions on our dummies. We also use visual aids, to bring the familiarity and reality of different emergency situations across to the students.
Students attending the Class A first aid course complete a theoretical and practical exam (CPR performed on a dummy) to ensure they fully understand all aspects of the course.
They receive a certificate which is valid for three years, after that period they may attend a refresher course.