Once you have completed a First Aid course, you may be thinking you are set… for life. While it is somewhat true, taking only one course is not enough to keep you safe for an entire lifetime. The truth is, unlike many other skills, the skills and knowledge can fade with time. When it comes to first aid, missing a single step or detail can pose a risk to the victim.
When an emergency occurs, your confidence may be undermined if you are unsure of what to do. There are good solid reasons behind the strict guidelines of the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) to renew CPR certification every 12 months and of Safe Work, Australia to renew First Aid certification every 3 years.
You might be thinking, ‘I know my DRSABC’s first aid like the back of my hand’, but there are benefits of getting your renewal courses on time. Here are some of them.
-
Learnings may have faded over time.
If you have not used the skills you learned in your first aid training for the past 12 months, there is a good chance that you have forgotten some part of it. First aid is also a case of out of sight, out of mind.
It is good to take refresher courses regularly as it keeps your minds sharp and your skills updated. Doing so allows memory recall to happen quickly and without hesitation during an emergency, which is vital when performing first aid.
-
First Aid guidelines and procedures are being updated from time to time
New medical advancements are being made every year. It means first aid guidelines are revisited, and the procedure can be updated or amended. To stay on top of all changes, taking your first aid renewal course is important.
The last thing you want is to perform an older version of a certain first-aid procedure if a newer and more effective version is available.
-
First Aid and CPR is workplace requirement.
Many Australian businesses are required to have a first aid officer in their workplace.
The First Aid in the Workplace Code of practice requires first aiders to attend regular refresher courses to confirm their competence in providing lifesaving procedures.
It is useful to have an up-to-date and current certification while on the lookout for a new job or fulfilling a workplace requirement that gives you a better standing in the company.
-
Save someone’s life
Many of us are guilty of saying, ‘I will take a first aid refresher course the next day or the next week.’ But the reality is, we never put a priority on it unless we need it for work.
We do not have time to procrastinate as emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. It can happen while driving your car, doing your groceries, or at the park with your children. Emergencies happen, and you could be confronted with having to perform First Aid or CPR to save someone’s life. This alone is a good enough reason to keep your first aid skills in practice and current.
-
Stay confident
It is one thing to know different first aid techniques, but it is another to have the confidence to step in and apply them when an emergency happens.
Regular training ensure that you have the skills and the confidence to act quickly and effectively when faced with a potentially stressful medical crisis.
Refreshing Your First Aid Certification
If it has been more than three years since you last renewed your certificate, it is mandatory to complete the full Provide First Aid Course. Being up to date with your certification is not just about ticking a box; it is making sure that you have all the necessary skills and knowledge to save a life.
At The Sydney First Aid Courses, we are at the forefront of ensuring that your first aid learning is in line with the most recent changes. We offer both Refresher and Standard courses in First Aid and CPR training to local and international students.
Feel free to contact us anytime to see how we can help you renew and refresh your qualifications.
