Making the Most of a First Aid Manual

When you finally buy or receive a first aid manual, you have in your hands a terrific tool. 

By compiling the information you need at your fingertips, you will be ready to handle most minor first aid situations as well as to help stabilize a patient in the case of something more severe.  But just having the first aid manual is not enough.

Read It

Common sense will tell you that you need to read the first aid manual in order to fully understand what it can help you with.  Take a few days to read the book from cover to cover; even if you don't think you will need all of the information that is included.  You will also want to read this manual one a week or a month to refresh your memory about what you need to do in certain situations.  You might want to think back to previous times when you could have used this manual and go over what you should have done.

Take a Class

But reading a first aid manual can only give you part of the equation. Taking a class in basic first aid is a great way to ensure you are following the instructions correctly.  And hands on training is often much more likely to stick in your mind than simply reading about the training.  You can find these classes through your local Red Cross chapter or in your community class schedules.  If you are unable to find a local first aid class, contact your local fire department or police departments to see if they can offer you training.

Label the Sections You Use

If your first aid manual doesn't come with easy to flip tabs, you might want to create your own.  Take tabs or sticky notes and labels sections you feel you will need to most.  That way, you can quickly flip to those sections when the time comes.  You might also want to photocopy certain pages and place them in random places in your home or in your car to make sure you have the information wherever it might come in handy.

Update It Regularly

Of course, your first aid manual is only as good as the information it contains.  Since first aid procedures and techniques do change regularly, you will want to update your book every few years.  This ensures you have the right instructions and that you are doing the best you can during an emergency.

With your first aid manual, you will be better prepared than most.  And the more you make of this manual, the more valuable it becomes for everyone.