How a First Aid Level 1 Course Changed the Way I Think About Emergencies

 I’ll admit it—before I took the First Aid Level 1 course, I always assumed that emergencies were “someone else’s problem.” I mean, paramedics exist for a reason, right?

But something shifted after an incident in my apartment building. An elderly neighbor slipped in the hallway and hit her head. I stood there, frozen. No idea what to do. I wasn’t alone, either—there were four of us, and not one knew how to properly help.

That moment stuck with me, and within a week, I signed up for a First Aid Level 1 course. What I thought would be a box-ticking exercise turned out to be one of the most empowering experiences I’ve had in a long time.

 

What It Actually Teaches You

We think first aid is just about CPR or bandages, but it’s so much more than that.

The course walked us through real-world situations—choking, severe bleeding, fainting, burns, seizures—and not just the medical response, but also how to stay calm and make decisions quickly. The instructor even acted out a few mock emergencies, and we had to respond in real time. At first, I felt awkward. But by the end, I was raising my hand to volunteer.

What really stuck with me was learning how to assess a scene. Before you even check the person, you need to check yourself, your surroundings, and make sure it’s safe to step in. That blew my mind. It’s not something they show you in movies.

 

It’s Not Just for Workplaces

A lot of people take the First Aid Level 1 course because their employer requires it. But honestly? This should be a basic life skill. I walked in thinking, “I don’t work in a hospital or on a construction site.” But now I believe everyone—students, parents, coaches, even teenagers—should know what to do in an emergency.

Imagine how many lives could be saved if more people had just a few hours of first aid training.

 

Confidence You Can’t Fake

Here’s what I didn’t expect: the confidence boost.

After the course, I started noticing how unprepared most of us really are. But instead of feeling helpless, I now feel ready. I know how to use an AED (those defibrillator machines in malls), how to treat a burn without making it worse, and how to perform CPR on both adults and kids.

It doesn’t make you a hero. But it makes you someone who can help when it matters most.

 

Final Words: Take the Course

If you’re on the fence, take the leap. Whether you do it for work, for your family, or just for your peace of mind, the First Aid Level 1 course is worth it.

You never know when life might throw an emergency your way—but when it does, you’ll want to be the one who steps up instead of stepping back.