Who can perform First Aid?

What is First Aid?

First aid refers to the emergency or immediate care you should provide when a person is injured or ill until full medical treatment is available. For minor conditions, first aid care may be enough. For serious problems, first aid care should be continued until more advanced care becomes available. The decision to act appropriately with first aid can mean the difference between life and death.

CPR is a first aid treatment for someone suffering from a heart attack, and it is also a common first aid response for those who drowned and need water pumped out of their lungs. Many people in the United States have undergone CPR training, and they receive certification after they finish the course. People trained in CPR are useful when it comes to emergencies, and the knowledge that they acquire regarding the practice can help thousands of lives. However, there is a circulating misconception that people who provide CPR can be sued.

The truth about this is that there is a law protecting those who are helping others by using a first aid response. The Good Samaritan Law – no one should be prosecuted because they want to help someone in trouble. CPR can be performed by anyone who has had training, and those who have not received training can help through other means – resuscitating someone without prior training can land you in trouble if it worsens the condition of a patient.

Who can Perform First Aid?

There are two types of people who can perform First Aid (CPR) on someone who is in an emergency situation. People who work in the medical industry fall into the first category. Physicians, nurses, emergency respondents – all of them are required to perform CPR when they see someone who needs it. Medical professionals are expected to act when they see someone who is asking for help, and not providing any first aid treatment can land them in trouble only when “on duty”. Their medical knowledge can help save a life, and the government expects them to act based on their instinct. If the emergency happens while “off duty”, it is a personal choice whether to respond.

People who have trained for CPR fall into the second category. They might not have any professional background in the field of medicine but learning how to provide CPR is enough. Providing CPR should be based on their decision, and sometimes, they are also required to ask permission from the person who just had an attack. However, during the times when the patient cannot speak, the people who have responded first should state that they acted based on the circumstances.

The Importance of Providing CPR During Emergencies

Providing CPR is important because studies show that the brain starts to die four to six minutes after a heart attack. If someone assists during this crucial period, they can save a life. Emergency respondents might arrive later than four to six minutes, and the assistance from bystanders are needed when someone had a massive heart attack. Providing CPR especially when the patient is outside the hospital or any medical facility can extend their lives, especially if it is performed the right way.

What is the Good Samaritan Law?

The Good Samaritan Law protects bystanders who provide first aid to someone during an emergency. Many people fear that they can face legal consequences if they help someone, especially if they do not have a background in the field of medicine.

Recent events where employees refused to perform CPR because it went against their employer’s practices and guidelines raised plenty of questions – people started asking if it is ethical for medical professionals and people who work at medical facilities to refuse to give CPR. People also began questioning if they can be sued if they performed CPR without any training.

Encouraging the Public to Learn First Aid

First Aid is an important practice, and it can save lives. Therefore, several organizations in Malaysia are actively promoting First Aid Course Malaysia.

Trusted Training Provider for First Aid Training

CERT Academy is the leading training provider for First Aid Course and safety related training. With over 15 years of practical, hands on experience shared among our trainers, we take the pleasure in delivering effective First Aid Training Malaysia of the highest calibre. Over the years, we have developed many long-standing relationships as a trusted service provider to major corporations, private clients, small business operators and their families.

Interested in First Aid Malaysia for yourself or your team? Contact us now!