Essential Information
First responder courses are usually offered through certificate, associate's degree and bachelor's degree programs in paramedicine, first response, firefighting or emergency medical services. Aside from general first responder courses, there are a plethora of wilderness first responder classes resulting in a certificate. These classes, which include lectures and simulations, prepare individuals to perform medical attention to people in remote locations. Most first responder courses/programs require applicants to meet admissions items such as having a high school diploma and being 18 years old. CPR certification may be included in the curriculum.
Here are some of the common concepts taught in first responder courses:
- Basic life support
- Isolated and extreme environments
- Medical emergencies
- Pathogens
- Circulation
- Illness and injury
List of First Responder Courses
CPR for Professional Rescuers
Students identify the proper way to handle patients who are or could be injured without complicating the problem. Through the first responder class, students practice using breathing techniques for adults, children and infants. They learn proper procedures for clearing airways and using CPR tools, which can provide basic temporary life support. Some CPR classes also touch on the basics of first aid.
Emergency Medical Technician
These first responder classes, train students to recognize and begin treating medical emergencies. The course includes going on emergency ambulance runs and completing in-hospital observations. Students become familiar with human anatomy and physiology to provide assistance in medical emergencies.
First Responder Course
This course trains individuals who are the first to arrive at an emergency to provide efficient and accurate pre-hospital care. Students assess patients for wounds to determine if trauma, shock, burns or closed airways are a problem and how to address those issues by dressing wounds, stabilizing the person or administering oxygen. They immobilize patients and address common emergency medical issues with basic treatments. This course includes hands-on, practical experience and is necessary to be eligible for first responder certification.
Intravenous Therapy
This course deals with administering medications and liquids intravenously. Students practice finding veins and inserting IVs correctly. This course is offered early in the program, though many students struggle through insertions. First responder courses in intravenous therapy demonstrate criteria and procedures for using IVs and information on how they can stabilize patients in shock or suffering from other traumas.
Trauma Care
In this course, students study multiple types of trauma, such as spinal, soft tissue and abdominal trauma and learn the best ways to provide immediate preventative care. Students study trauma systems, steps for providing initial burn care and administering other care. The first responder course examines stages of trauma, including hemorrhaging and shock, so as professionals they know the signs of shock. Students learn how to open airways, apply chest decompression and immobilize individuals.
