Basic first aid
Everyone who has the opportunity should learn basic first aid. There are a range of courses and training sessions available, both for those who are completely inexperienced and others who require refresher courses. Some may also have first-aid training provided by their employer.
Learning basic first aid will mean that you will be able to:
- Ensure a free airway
- Stop external bleeding and keep the injured person warm
- Evaluate breathing
- Evaluate whether a person is conscious
- Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Use a defibrillator
First aid equipment
Below is a list of the types of first aid equipment that health authorities recommend you should keep at home:
- Disposable gloves
- Saline solution for cleaning wounds and flushing eyes
- Wound cleanser and ointment
- Sterile pads for cleaning wounds
- Plasters, compresses, bandages and medical tape
- Burn gel
- Sterile bandages and compresses to place on wounds (individual packs)
- Tweezers and scissors
- Thermometer and thermometer protector
- Mouth-to-mouth mask or shield
- Personal protection such as facemask, alcohol-based hand cleanser and disinfectant
- Prescription-free medication such as anti-febrile/pain relief (paracetamol) and allergy medication
The advice on medicines and first aid is given by the Norwegian Medical Procucts Agency and the Norwegian Directorate of Health.