In an emergency, seconds are precious and knowledge can save a life. Having some basic training in life-saving techniques can mean the difference between being there when someone is in need or standing helplessly by. Knowing what to do and when and how to do it can give someone a chance at life who might not have it if someone knowledgeable isn't around. Although nothing can replace taking a full-blown first aid or CPR class, knowing a few basics of first aid can at least give you a few pointers in the case of an emergency, said Penny Bivens, lead CPR instructor with Hendrick Medical Center's department of education. In that case, you'd need to know that even if the patient seems fine at first, you should still watch them for a few hours afterward.
Some symptoms can manifest long after the initial injury.
It's not enough to know what to expect from a situation on average, though. Each emergency is unique and has to be handled appropriately. We always stress that you call and get someone to help if you can. Calling appropriate medical personnel is important to get the chain of survival to the victim. Even if you can't do much, just talking to a victim and reassuring him that things are under control can be a valuable aid, he said.