Around 70% of Americans would feel helpless if they had to act in a medical emergency.
You can avoid this feeling and instead step up to the plate and be a hero by getting some safety certifications. If everybody got this training, there’s no telling how many lives would be saved every year.
In an emergency situation, both speed and ability count. Having training gives you the confidence to act quickly and the ability to know what to do.
Keep reading to find out the three types of certifications you need to get if you want to be the next Clark Kent.
1. CPR/AED
CPR stands for Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation and is used to keep oxygen flowing to the brain and other vital organs if a person’s heart stops.
An AED is an Automated External Defibrillator. It’s used to shock a person’s heart back into a normal rhythm during a heart attack. Many buildings are now required to have one of these on hand, but not everybody there knows how to use it.
By getting trained in both CPR and AED, you will be prepared to keep someone alive until medical professionals arrive.
2. Responding to Emergencies
How you act when in an emergency helps determine the outcome. If you panic and don’t act appropriately or at all, that’s not going to help the situation. However, if you know what to do, you can save lives.
By getting this certification, you’ll be prepared to handle a wide variety of emergencies and know how to respond.
There’s a short but important checklist of things that need to be done in an emergency which includes ensuring medical professionals are called in. This vital step is something that may be missed in the rush of an emergency if everyone assumes someone else has already done it.
3. Basic First Aid
Imagine you’re on a trip with your family. What happens if someone gets hurt far from civilization? Will you allow them to bleed until you can get them to a hospital? By then, it might be too late.
By learning basic first aid, you can apply bandages and many other skills that could save someone’s life.
A similar certification is Wilderness and Remote First Aid. This is particularly useful if you spend a lot of time hiking or in areas where medical help is hard to get to.
How to Prepare for Safety Certifications
The best way to get yourself ready to become certified is to take a course that will teach you everything you need to know about the certification you want. They’ll help you prepare for the exam so you can pass the first time.
The American Society of Safety Professionals is a great place to look into, especially if work safety is your priority.
Want More Ways to Be a Hero?
Now you know what safety certifications you need to help those around you if you find yourself in an emergency situation.
But you don’t have to wait for a medical emergency to arise to be a hero!
Check out our recent article on meal delivery for seniors, and you could soon find yourself making a huge difference in someone’s life.