I just completed my Emergency First Response course.  The first step to getting my Rescue Diver certification.

The course was pretty straight forward.  Read the book, do the knowledge reviews, watch the video, take the course and write the exam.  From reading the book to doing the exam it took me about 10 hours in total.

The course focuses on Primary and Secondary Care.  The Primary Care (CPR) portion teaches you the steps and techniques for handling life-threatening emergencies.  The Secondary Care (First Aid) portion teaches you the steps and techniques to use when Emergency Medical Services are either delayed or unavailable.

The biggest part of Primary Care is applying the ABCD'S to a victim.  The ABCD'S are:

1. A
   1. Assess the scene
   2. Apply barriers
   3. Alert Emergency Medical Services
   4. Open the Airway
2. B
   1. Breathing check
   2. Rescue Breathing
3. C
   1. Circulation (pulse)
   2. Chest compressions
4. D
   1. Defibrillation and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
5. S
   1. Shock management
   2. Spinal injury management
   3. Serious bleeding management

Here's a picture of the AED applied to the mannequin.

And here's a shot of me doing chest compressions on the mannequin.

The biggest part of Secondary Care are the 4 skills of First Aid:

1. Injury assessment
2. Illness assessment
3. Bandaging
4. Splinting for dislocations and fractures

All in all it was a worthwhile course.  Hope I never have to use it!

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