Simple first aid reference

October 23, 2014 1:09 PM

I'm looking for a simple first aid print reference for my retired parents, but there are a few preferences: (1) Pictures! (2) Simple English (for ESL) (3) Large print (I suppose lots of good visuals could substitute...) (4) Should cover both choking and CPR (Got into argument with mom that "drink water!" isn't a legit response to someone choking. She won't listen to me, so a "professional" reference is needed.) TIA
posted by Ky to Health & Fitness (3 answers total)

Not sure if it is basic enough for ESL, but what I would recommend is this HeartSaver First Aid Online Course from the American Heart Association. I believe it costs $25 to take the online course, but it definitely covers adult choking and CPR, and also a number of other really important and useful first aid issues and would hopefully be quite informative.

Disclaimer: I haven't taken the course myself, but I'm a doctor and I've taken numerous other AHA courses (BLS, ACLS, etc) and in general, they are pretty high quality courses and materials, and easy to follow, if not thrilling to take. This course is also offered in person with skills sessions and an instructor, but for a higher cost, of course.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:01 PM on October 23, 2014

And as a side comment, I am so happy you are trying to educate your family about this. I had a patient a little while back who had had a life-threatening allergic reaction and fainted, and his family tried to revive him by pouring water in his mouth. I had to explain to them at length about how dangerous that is and please not to do that on a person who is not fully awake and who is at risk for aspirating the fluid into their lungs.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:05 PM on October 23, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: An online course might be doable for my mom, who loves her iPad. Then she could nag my dad about it, since she's good at that. ;) Thanks for the suggestion!
posted by Ky at 6:06 PM on October 23, 2014