How to provide first aid
In times of war, both military and civilians need to know how to provide first aid. If you understand the algorithm of actions, you will be more confident in controlling your behaviour in an emergency and help the victim. Basic knowledge can save lives.In this article, we will tell you about first aid and where you can learn it in Ukraine.
What is first aid?
First aid is the simplest emergency medical action that is performed directly at the scene of an accident immediately after an injury. Usually, it is not provided by medical professionals, but by people who are nearby at the time (directly at the scene of the accident or near the victim).
First aid is aimed at saving lives, reducing the victim's suffering and preventing the development of possible complications. Medical workers can do it professionally, but valuable minutes can be lost while the emergency service is still on the way. Therefore, your ability to provide first aid can save someone's life.
Principles of first aid:
- correctness and appropriateness (if you are not sure of your actions, it is better not to intervene in order not to cause further harm);
- speed (you cannot waste time in critical moments);
- thoughtfulness of actions, determination and calmness.
How to provide first aid
According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the algorithm of actions should be as follows:
- Inspect the scene and make sure that providing assistance will be safe for you, the injured and people around you.
- Assess the victim's condition (consciousness, breathing, pulse).
- If necessary, call an emergency medical team and other services (police, rescue service, gas service, etc.).
- Assess the presence of critical bleeding and stop it.
- Ensure airway patency.
- If the victim shows no signs of life and there is no critical bleeding (or you have already stopped it), start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- If there are no suspected injuries to the spine or pelvic bones and CPR has been successful, move the victim to a stable position (on their side, facing you, arm under their head, leg bent at the knee).
- Do not leave the victim and monitor the victim's vital signs until emergency services arrive.
If you do not have the appropriate skills to provide assistance, you should contact other people at the scene.
Where to learn first aid in Ukraine
The best way to learn first aid is to take an offline course where you can practise. You can find local training centres on the internet or social media. Here are a few organisations where you can take offline training in Ukraine.
Hospitallers
The Hospitallers Volunteer Medical Battalion is an organisation of paramedics who have been working at the front since the beginning of the Russo-Ukrainian war in 2014 and evacuate the wounded every day. Since 2015, the Hospitallers have been teaching tactical medicine, and since 2018, first aid (both military and civilians). The cost depends on the course you choose.
Courses for civilians:
- Basic life support.
- Trauma care.
- Road traffic accident assistance.
- Simulation course.
Courses for the military and people preparing for the frontline:
- Basic level of tactical medicine (TCCC ASM).
- The course of a combat lifesaver (TCCC CLS).
- Combat medic course (TCCC CMC).
The cadets are provided with all training supplies, equipment, mannequins, and are taken to the training locations (accommodation, meals, and training ammunition are provided if necessary).
The Hospitaller Training Centre operates as a certified centre from NAEMT (National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians), so the courses meet international quality standards. The instructors are certified by NAEMT according to the standards of TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) and TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care), the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy. Upon completion of the course, cadets receive a certificate.
Save a Life
The Save a Life team has been teaching first aid since 2020 in Kyiv. You can choose from the following courses:
- First aid.
- Cardiac resuscitation.
- Bleeding control.
The cost will depend on the course you choose.
At Save a Life, cadets are taught by a certified instructor using modern teaching approaches (lectures with videos, presentations, etc.). Upon completion of the course, students receive a certificate.
Ukrainian online first aid courses
If the offline format doesn't work for you right now, online training will be useful. Here are a few platforms where you can take online first aid courses.
Prometheus
The free online course First Aid in War on Prometheus was developed in cooperation with the First Aid and Special Training Company FAST, which has been teaching the basics of first aid since 2014.
The course materials are based on the American Tactical Combat Care Protocols (TCCC). In 10 lessons, you can learn:
- how to stop bleeding using tamponade, direct pressure and tourniquets;
- how to perform resuscitation and call the emergency medical service;
- how to deal with body burns, hypothermia, minor bleeding, etc.
After each lesson, there are tests to check what you have learned, additional materials and recommendations for your first aid kit.
EdEra
The Smart Education NGO, together with EdEra, has created a free online course on First Aid. The lecturer, Viacheslav Chernenko, a surgeon, teacher of general surgery, and instructor of paramedics, explains how to provide first aid and demonstrates actions that will help a child or adult before the arrival of medical professionals.
The course is designed for participants in the educational process (teachers, school administrators, parents). However, it is suitable for anyone who wants to learn how to provide first aid.
The training videos are up to 10 minutes long. They contain theoretical and practical material, as well as visualisations to help you better understand and assimilate information.
Diia.Osvita
The team of the Ukrainian EdTech company Headway has developed a series of Pre-hospital Care PDF infographics on safety during the war based on the materials of the Public Health Centre, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. It can be downloaded for free on the Diia.Osvita website (after registration).
