Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. There are over 100 million emergency department visits in the United States every year, 35 million for injuries alone. Every year, thousands of workers die on the job. Millions of workplace injuries and illnesses occur in private industry every year. While some of these injuries and illnesses can be treated, prevention of illness and injury is always better. A healthy lifestyle combined with a commitment to safety at work, home, and play can prevent many needless disabling injuries, illnesses, and deaths. However, once an injury or sudden illness has occurred, effective first aid can save lives, prevent permanent disability, and improve recovery. Trained first aid providers have a vital role ·in delivering this care during the first minutes of a medical emergency, before emergency medical services (EMS) providers arrive and take over.

Definitions

First Aid. The initial care provided for an acute illness or injury. The goals of first aid include preserving life, alleviating suffering, preventing further illness or injury, and promoting recovery. First aid can be initiated by anyone in any situation, including self-care. 3

First Aid Provider. Someone trained in first aid who can recognize, assess, and prioritize the need for first aid, as well as provide care by using appropriate skill competencies. A first aid provider recog­nizes their own limitations and seeks additional care when needed.4

Automated External Defibrillator (AED). A portable, life-saving device designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac ar­rest-a medical condition in which the heart stops beating sudden­ly and unexpectedly. The combination of CPR and early defibrilla­tion with an AED is effective in saving lives when used in the first few minutes following collapse from sudden cardiac arrest.

Conventional Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). An emer­gency procedure that combines chest compressions with artificial ventilation to circulate oxygenated blood to the brain and heart, in­creasing the possibility of successful resuscitation. It is performed by a trained CPR provider. A first aid provider may or may not be trained in conventional CPR, and a CPR provider may or may not be trained in first aid.

Designated First Aid Provider. An employee formally trained in first aid and/or CPR AED and identified, expected, or directed by the employer as responsible for rendering medical assistance as part of their job duties.

 

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1 https://www cdc gov/nchs/fastats/emergency-department.htm (Retrieved 5/21/2021]
2 https:/lwww.CPR gov/news.release/cfoi.nr0.htm[Retrieved 5/21/2021]
3 Singletary EM, et al. 2020 International Consensus on First Aid Science with Treatment Recommendations. Circulation. 2020 Oct 20; 142(16_suppl_ 1):S284-S334. [Retrieved 5/10/2021]
4 Singletary EM et al. P?,rt 9: First Aid: 2015 International Consensus on First Aid Science with Treatment Recommendations. Circulation. 2015 Oct 20; 132(16 Suppl 1 ):$269-311. [Retrieved 5/10/2021]