Emergency First Response. Red Cross. Blue Cross. These are all fancy, snazzy names that all signify the same thing - CPR and first aid certification. Having a valid CPR and first aid certification is a prerequisite to your PADI Rescue Diver course, but did you know that getting emergency medically trained is something you should do, even if you never plan to dive?
Though CPR and first aid training doesn’t qualify you as a certified medical practitioner, having awareness of your surroundings and being able to assess and treat for basic medical emergencies is a skill that everyone should have. You could very well save a life with some basic medical knowledge!
What do you learn during your training?
Emergency First Response, PADI’s CPR and first aid training course, is broken into two basic categories: Primary Care (CPR) and Secondary Care (first aid). Some valuable skills you learn are:
- how to assess and monitor an emergency situation
- how to provide rescue breaths and CPR
- how to provide basic first aid, including carrying for wounds and splinting
- how to recognize and provide treatment for shock
Even if you don’t feel 100% confident caring for emergency situations after your course (because, let’s face it, do trained medical practitioners even feel confident all the time?), learning the basics of emergency care helps you be more aware of your surroundings and be a better parent, a better partner, a better friend, and a better stranger. The EFR license is valid for two years, but we do encourage you to refresher your skills every six month to a year to make sure you’re on top of your game. Make sure to contact your local emergency training center to get started on your course today!
