In medical emergencies such as car accidents, it is often a casual passer by who steps in to help an injured person before the emergency services arrive. If you ever find yourself in the middle of such a situation, wouldn't you like to be prepared? If you take first aid training and read up on the skills required in emergency first aid training books, you could potentially save a life. One of the most important skills first aid training teaches you is how to stay calm in an emergency and handle the situation. Contrary to what you might think, this is not just something a trained medical professional such as a paramedic can do.

If you are called upon to help an injured person in such a situation, remember that communication is key. If you are asking another bystander to do something, such as call the emergency services, be absolutely clear who you are talking to by using eye contact. Also, tell them, don't ask them. This is not the situation to be diffident or shy. Good and clear communication can also help to keep others around you calm. People naturally look for a leader at such times, and if you happen to be the only person with training then it may be up to you to be that leader.

When you are helping an injured or ill person you also need to be decisive. For example emergency first aid training books and courses will teach you the signs to look for if somebody is having a stroke or a heart attack, and the best course of action for this. Your training will also teach you to know when not to call an ambulance.  Somebody has to make decisions in emergencies, as there is usually no time to establish a broad consensus. Quick thinking and being able to stand by what you've decided is also an important attribute at such a time.

You may well need to administer emergency CPR so make sure you refresh your knowledge of this procedure regularly. Remember, however, that you should never move somebody at the scene of an accident if you think they have head, neck or back injuries. Be very firm that nobody around you panics and does this as it can cause permanent damage.

Lastly, whilst you are caring for the injured person you shouldn't put yourself or others around you at risk. If it is a road accident, make sure everybody involved is out of the way of the traffic before you begin to help the injured person. When you've had your first aid training, it's a good idea to carry a first aid kit around with you so you have the necessary equipment both to apply rudimentary dressings to injuries, or to protect yourself from infections.