COURSE OBJECTIVES

Describe how to recognize an emergency and size up the scene.
Explain how to activate and work with the emergency medical services (EMS) system.
Understand legal concepts as they apply to lay responders, including consent and the purpose of Good Samaritan laws.
Identify how to reduce the risk of disease transmission when giving care.
Demonstrate how to check a person who is responsive for life-threatening and non-life-threatening conditions.
Explain how to check an injured or ill person who appears to be unresponsive.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and describe appropriate first aid care for a person who is showing these signs and symptoms.
Describe the links in the Cardiac Chain of Survival.

Demonstrate CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) for a person who is in cardiac arrest.
Demonstrate first aid care for a person who is choking.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of shock and describe appropriate first aid care for a person who is showing these signs and symptoms.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of, and describe appropriate first aid care for, the following sudden illnesses: breathing emergencies, diabetic emergencies, seizures, fainting and stroke.

Describe methods used to control external bleeding, including the application of direct pressure and the application of a commercial tourniquet.
Demonstrate the application of direct pressure to control external bleeding.
Explain when a commercial tourniquet should be used, and describe the basic principles of using a tourniquet.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of, and describe appropriate first aid care for, the following injuries: burns; muscle, bone and joint injuries; and head, neck and spinal injuries, including concussion.
Recognize the signs and symptoms of, and describe appropriate first aid care for, the following environmental injuries and illnesses: heat-related illnesses, cold-related illnesses and poisoning.