It is never pleasant to witness a traffic accident or drive past the aftermath of one, helpless to do anything about it. In June 2016, 95 people died on Australian roads. Some of these deaths could have been prevented had witnesses been trained in basic first aid as according to research from overseas, 85% of deaths occurring pre-hospital are as a result of blocked airways. 

What if more drivers were trained in first aid? How many lives could be saved? Both Australia and the UK are hoping to follow the example set by European countries like Switzerland and Germany, and make first aid training mandatory before a new driver can receive or renew their license. 

But why wait? 

You Could Happen Upon an Accident

If you took a first aid course today, you could actually make a difference the next time you happen to come across a road accident. A recent survey of the British public discovered that when faced with an accident, 59% of people would not have the confidence to save injured victim's lives, and 24% would do nothing except wait for someone else to act.

Even having basic knowledge of how to clear a person's airway would be enough to save a life. 

You Could Save a Life

With the ability to perform CPR and basic first aid, you could give someone the pre-hospital treatment they need and maybe even help doctors to save their life. A study showed that 50% of road accident deaths occur a few minutes after the accident. You could be one of the first on the scene, and the only person with any first aid training. 

You Could Spread Awareness

As someone trained in first aid, you also have the chance to spread awareness to members of your family and the people you work with. While passing on knowledge in this way is no substitute for a first aid course in which hands-on training is given, it can at least give people a chance to make a difference. Your first aid knowledge can even be passed on over the phone in an emergency to a panicked friend or family member. 

In another study, conducted in Iran, 500 randomly selected road transport drivers were given first aid training and then later evaluated 0-3 and 4-6 months after training to test the efficacy of the training. The results were positive and showed that first aid training for drivers equips them with the necessary skills to provide beneficial pre-hospital treatment that could save lives. Whether you drive regularly or not, a first aid course will allow you to give assistance in those crucial first minutes before ambulance crews arrive.