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Now, fears of first aid will be things that actually stop you from helping somebody or delay you, or any worries you have. Now, the first one of these fears of first aid could be fear of infection. The patient you're dealing with may well have blood-borne pathogens or problems that could infect you, so this is quite a serious fear. But we address this fear by using face shields, using gloves, and also taking some basic precautions. We need to make sure that you do not come into contact with the body fluid of the patient. Another fear is fear of harming the patient, or hurting the patient. Now, when you're dealing with something on the serious side, of doing CPR, sometimes you find that people will not do CPR or delay it or not do it effectively because they're worried about hurting the patient. Now, if you're doing something like CPR, this person is effectively dead. Somebody maybe with a less serious condition, maybe they're dealing with a serious bleed or a break, you can only do what you think is right and do your best for the person. If you talk to them, you get help, you don't deal with the situation on your own, then this can all help you. Now, if you forget your training, again, don't worry so much. Sometimes when you look at this course now you might think, "I'm never going to remember all this," but when an accident happens for real, all this training will come back to you and you will deal with it. So, fear of hurting the patient, although there are situations where you could harm somebody, we'll identify those on the course. Something like spinal injury, for example, if somebody's damaged their back and then you move them, you could do them harm. We'll cover these individually as the course goes on. Another fear can be fear of litigation. Fear of, if you help this person and something goes wrong, you may well get sued. Now, this we also address in the course because we're asking the permission of the patient, so we're actually asking, "Can I help you?" So they're giving you their consent, so in most circumstances this isn't a problem. It's not to say that someone won't be sued in this, but it may well be the company. All you can do is do your best as a first aider, follow all the rules, follow all your workplace policies and procedures, and then you'll find that your treatment is quite straightforward, and there should be no situations where you would actually get sued yourself. One big concern you may have when dealing with all first aid emergencies is getting hurt yourself. What you don't want to do is start off being the first aider, and then get hurt and become a patient yourself. So it's vital that you ensure that every time you approach any emergency situation you stop, think, and act, and just make sure that you're not going to put yourself in any danger. Always be aware the whole time you're dealing with any emergency scene to ensure that there's no new dangers arrived, but also think about the patient themselves, maybe they could be a danger to themselves. Now, with all these fears of first aid, they're quite straightforward, they're quite real fears. But as you go through the course you'll find that these fears can all be addressed. With first aid, if your intentions are good and you help somebody, then you've got nothing to worry about. It's far better to actually do something and help that person than to leave them and don't do anything.
Addressing Common Fears in First Aid Training
People attending first aid training often express initial reluctance due to various fears and concerns. Addressing these fears and demonstrating how they can be easily managed makes the training more enjoyable and understandable.
Fear of Infection
Some participants worry about coming into contact with blood, vomit, or other bodily fluids. First aid training teaches the effective use of barriers such as gloves and face shields to protect first aiders from infections like HIV or Hepatitis.
Fear of Doing Harm
The fear of doing something wrong or hurting the patient is common, especially when delivering chest compressions during CPR. It is important to remember that a non-breathing patient with no heartbeat is already in a critical state, and CPR can only help. The most harm would come from not performing chest compressions at all. Your training will help you respond appropriately to various situations.
Fear of Litigation
Concerns about potential litigation can be addressed through proper training. If you always ask for permission to help, follow the rules and workplace policies, and act within the boundaries of your training, the likelihood of being sued is low.
Fear for Personal Safety
First aiders should prioritize their own safety to avoid becoming patients themselves. Training emphasises the importance of always stopping, thinking, and then acting before approaching any emergency situation. This includes using scene safety measures to ensure your well-being.
By addressing these fears in first aid training, participants can gain confidence and be better prepared to handle emergencies effectively and safely.