First Aid: A Life-Saving Skill

What is First Aid, and why should everyone know it?

What is First Aid, and why should everyone know it?

Regardless of the type of activity you are engaging in, it is essential to be prepared for potential accidents or injuries that may occur. Having basic knowledge of 'First Aid' can be life-saving in an emergency.

In this post, we provide a general understanding of what the term 'First Aid' entails and the components typically included. However, we emphasize that this should only be viewed as an overarching and initial insight into the field. To ensure sufficient knowledge and confidence in an actual emergency situation, we recommend participating in a more comprehensive lecture and subsequently taking a course with practical application.

Now, at Garphyttan, we are offering you precisely that opportunity on May 16th when we invite you to a 2-hour basic inspirational lecture on First Aid, featuring our very own outdoor expert, Johan Skullman! Read more about this at the end of the post."

Make sure to always carry a first aid kit when you're in the great outdoors!

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst

Being aware of the risks

The first step when it comes to First Aid is to become aware of the risks associated with the activity you plan to undertake. This means avoiding thoughts like 'How difficult can it be?', 'It's okay, it will work out,' or 'It won't happen to me.' The primary reason for being aware of the risks is simply to know how to minimize them through preparation and planning. Being aware is being prepared.

First Aid Kit

The next cornerstone of First Aid is to have a so-called First Aid kit. There are some basic items that are always essential in a First Aid kit, such as nitrile gloves, hemostatic bandage, and a tourniquet. However, the kit should also be customized according to the activity you are going to perform. For example, if you are heading into the wilderness, items like a blanket, flashlight, compass, and/or an emergency locator might be relevant contents of a First Aid kit.

First Aid Knowledge

Packing a First Aid kit is a good first step, but without knowledge and understanding of how to use the various items in the kit, it is of no use. Therefore, basic First Aid knowledge is crucial. It can range from dressing a blister to knowing how to clean and dress wounds, perform CPR, and treat burns, cuts, and insect bites. How can you acquire this knowledge? Despite numerous websites offering practical First Aid instructions, we believe that the best way to gain this knowledge is through some form of physical training that includes hands-on practice.

At Garphyttan, we invite you to a first (free) introduction to First Aid, where you'll have the opportunity to learn the basics and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to know First Aid. You can watch the lecture afterward here.

Call for Help

Another key component of First Aid is knowing when the situation is so serious or even life-threatening that urgent medical help is required. When should you call for help, and how should you do it? In cases of acute life-threatening conditions, always dial 112, and it may involve the following conditions:

– Heart attack
– Stroke
– Blocked airway
– Anaphylactic reaction
– Epilepsy
– Severe bleeding
– Burns

Another important preparatory aspect is being aware of your geographical location. How accurate a location indication is can be life-saving when accidents happen and emergency services are needed.

Preparation and Risk Minimization are Key

Finally, it's important to remember that prevention is often the best form of First Aid. This means taking measures to minimize risks and preferably avoid accidents and injuries altogether. It can be as simple as staying on marked trails, wearing appropriate footwear, or staying hydrated. Just as knowing the environment and its risks is essential, it's also crucial to be aware of your own limits and avoid activities that may be too challenging or risky for your skill level.

In summary, it is important to have a basic understanding of First Aid regardless of the type of environment or activity you engage in, whether it's outdoors or indoors. This includes being aware of the risks to be able to minimize them, acquiring and learning how to use a First Aid kit, gaining basic knowledge and practice in performing First Aid, and being able to determine when a condition is life-threatening and requires urgent medical help. However, preparation and planning are the best forms of First Aid. By being prepared and knowing how to respond in case of an emergency, you give yourself the best possible conditions for a safe activity.

INSPIRATION LECTURE

Johan Skullman teaches you the basics of First Aid (the event has passed)

On May 16th, Garphyttan invites you to a unique (and free) inspirational lecture where you will learn the basics of First Aid. The ultimate goal of the lecture is to inspire you to want to learn more about hands-on and practical application of life-saving First Aid!

The lecture will take place at Garphyttan's Flagship Store in central Stockholm and will be conducted by Garphyttan's very own Johan Skullman. Johan has extensive experience in the field an is an approved instructor following the guidelines of the Swedish CPR Council. As an authorized instructor in Survival and Medical Service, he has comprehensive experience from his 30 years in the Swedish Armed Forces and nearly 45 years in civilian outdoor life, where he conducts courses on the central theme of Preventative Safety and Handling of Emergency Situations. He also has significant practical experience from his own expeditions in various environments around the world under highly variable weather conditions.

The lecture aims to delve deeper into preventative safety and risk management, as well as how to act when something has already happened. We will address questions such as:

– How do you you think about prevention (preventative safety)?
– How do you learn to act calmly and methodically in an emergency situation?
– How do you distinguish between the main issue and secondary issues in the heat of the moment?

After the lecture, there will be an opportunity for questions and expert advice, both regarding First Aid and outdoor activities in general. Of course, the store will remain open for you to try on, compare, and purchase clothing from Garphyttan's full range.

When? May 16th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Where? Garphyttan Flagship Store, Norrlandsgatan 21 in Stockholm

How do I sign up? By selecting 'Going' on the Facebook event linked below

What does it cost to participate? It's free to participate! But please let us know you're coming through the Facebook event.

Welcome!

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