Each year millions of people are injured. Prompt first aid can mean the difference between life and death for many individuals with serious injuries. Just as important is CPR. When someone suffers cardiac arrest, prompt CPR can mean the difference between life and death.

The National Safety Council and the Red Cross provide classes at very low cost for individuals wanting the proper training.

Some first aid steps are quite simple. Remember the ABC's.

Airway: Is there anything obstructing the person's ability to breathe.

Bleeding/breathing: As simple as this might sound, very shallow breaths might not be obvious. Look, listen and feel for breaths. If your victim is not breathing, begin mouth to mouth resuscitation.

After checking for breathing, you need to next concern yourself with bleeding. Is there severe bleeding? If so, it's imperative that this be controlled. The best means of controlling bleeding is direct pressure.

Circulation: Is the heart beating? Again, look, listen, and feel. You will not always be able to feel a pulse at the wrist,

it is best to check for the carotid (neck) pulse. When the blood pressure lowers significantly, a pulse in the wrist may not be felt.

If you take nothing else from this article, please take this to heart.

In addition to First Aid, most courses offered also include CPR, which can literally save a life. CPR can also be taught as a stand-alone course, though the American Heart Association.

The websites listed below have information on where to take a class in your area.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000 American Heart Association Website

http://www.redcross.org American Red Cross

http://www.nsc.org/ National Safety Council

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