Many people have at least one incident in their daily lives where proper first-aid training would come in handy. On a playground, for example, a child may injure himself, or a restaurant patron may choke on his or her food. A fisherman may have an allergic reaction to an insect bite, or an elderly church member may collapse suddenly from a heart attack. Many people seek professional first aid training for personal reasons or as a requirement of their job. It can be difficult to find the best free first aid training, but there are several options for those who want to learn the basics of first aid.
The public library is one of the best places to get free first aid training. Several different first aid manuals and medical guides should be available for public check-out at most public libraries. These free first aid materials are usually written medical professionals for a general audience and should include instructional illustrations as well as step-by-step instructions for dealing with common medical emergencies. Other sections of the library should also have books with chapters on first aid, such as Boy Scout or Girl Scout handbooks, or books on camping or kitchen safety. Videotapes or DVDs with free first aid advice and techniques may be available at a public library.
A local hospital or public health organization, such as the American Red Cross, could also provide free first aid training. Many hospitals and Red Cross chapters offer free classes on first-aid techniques such as CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Basic first aid for outdoor activities or first aid for the workplace are two examples of free first aid courses. Trained medical professionals may offer free courses on basic first aid techniques at public health fairs.
While it may not be considered free first aid training, some employers will cover the cost of such training for employees who would benefit from it. Basic first aid courses tailored to the types of injuries and medical emergencies commonly encountered in restaurant environments, for example, may benefit restaurant managers and supervisors. Teachers and others who deal with large groups of children on a regular basis may be eligible for free first aid training provided their school districts. A trained nurse, paramedic, or other medical professional frequently provides this type of occupational first aid training. Employer-sponsored private courses can be tailored to meet the specific needs of a specific industry. Employers may also agree to fund Red Cross CPR or first-aid courses for common injuries.