How to Remember First Aid Procedures
While you know it's important to learn first aid procedures, it's often difficult to remember them when the time has come to use them. Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do to remember not only the steps to managing an injury, but also why you need to perform these steps. In learning to easily recall first aid procedures, you will be able to step in and help immediately.
Make up a Mnemonic
When medical students are in school, they need to learn a lot of information quickly in order to pass their classes. And while many of us believe they are simply smarter than the rest of us, much of the time, they use learning tricks to retain knowledge - not their IQ. These tricks are called mnemonics. For example, when you have a sprained ankle or other body part, you might remember ICE. This stands for ice, compression, elevation. By remembering the letters and the word, you can easily come up with the right steps to take.
In the case of a wound, you might remember PCC - pressure, clean, cover. You can make up your own mnemonics for first aid procedures as well so long as they're easy for you to remember.
Practice, Practice, Practice
It sounds dull, but the simplest way to remember first aid procedures is to practice them often. Perhaps you can review your first aid class notes or books once a week to keep the steps fresh in your mind, for example. Or you might want to meet up with a friend from time to time to go over the information you have learned. Make sure to keep your first aid certification up to date as well.
If you took a first aid class, it might not be a bad idea to go over your quizzes again and again until you have them memorized. You can also find free online quizzes as well to help you train the knowledge you have gained from a certification course.
Keep a Manual Around
When your mind goes blank on first aid procedures during an actual emergency, you might want to have a first aid book easily available. This book should be simple to flip through to find what you need - tabbed books are best. Though it might still be a little nerve wracking, knowing that you have a first aid book available can help you stay calm and focused. Make sure that your book is up to date on the latest advice and that its copyright date is no older than a few years back from the current year.
Apply these little tips and tricks to help you remember the first aid basics. Then, you should have no problem helping others when the need arises to administer first aid.
Bill W.S.Ball is the owner and writer of articles dealing with first aid and CPR. Feel free to drop by at my website located at http://www.tipsonfirstaid.com and be sure to pick up your free ebook. We also have numerous tips on bruises,lacerations,broken bones and many other medical conditions. Browse around our site for news, articles, products, and more tips on First Aid.
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