Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. We should always “be prepared” to provide first aid treatment to a person who has been injured or has suddenly become sick. Proper first aid training can mean the difference between life and death for the victim. However, knowing the three C’s of first aid is equally important. The 3 C’s of First Aid provide a structure for how you should act in an emergency situation:
The first C – Check: This step involves checking for anything unsafe, such as traffic, fire, and other hazardous items and ensuring that the first responder is not putting himself/herself in danger while helping the victim. If possible ask for assistance from anyone around the scene.
The second C – Call: Emergency situations demand quick and careful action from first responders. Once done with the inspection of the scene, check to see if the victim is breathing or has a pulse or not. Call 911 immediately or the local emergency number and provide correct information about the situation, patient, and location.
The Third C – Care: Once you have followed the first two C’s, first responders are required to provide initial care until medical professional arrive. Continuously monitor victim’s breathing, and condition. Give any specific care needed such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or follow the CAB (Circulation- Airway-Breathing) of first aid.
First aid or CPR training is particularly important during medical crisis. One could never go wrong when performing first aid, if they attend safety training classes and learn about First Aid basics.
