From administering first aid in the case of cardiac arrest to managing a wound or fracture, first aid courses give you the confidence to act in emergency situations.

In general, first aid courses cover a wide range of topics and teach you how to act in various emergency situations.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR): This part of the course focuses on learning the correct resuscitation techniques in the event of cardiac arrest. You will learn how to provide chest compressions and artificial ventilation to maintain the blood and oxygen circulation in a person in cardiac arrest.

Wound management: First aid courses will show you how to provide proper assistance in the case of minor and major wounds. You will learn how to stop bleeding, clean and disinfect wounds, and apply appropriate dressings to prevent infections.

First aid for fractures and sprains: You will learn how to recognize and properly manage fractures and sprains. First aid courses will show you how to immobilize a fracture correctly and how to apply cold compresses to reduce swelling in the case of a sprain.

First aid for poisoning and burns: First aid courses will teach you how to provide assistance in cases of poisoning and burns. You will learn how to identify the symptoms of poisoning and how to act accordingly. Additionally, you will learn how to administer first aid for burns and how to minimize pain and the risk of infection.

Managing emergency situations: First aid courses will teach you how to act in emergency situations, such as car accidents, drowning or anaphylactic shock. You will learn how to quickly assess the situation, provide appropriate assistance and communicate with emergency services.

The Heimlich maneuver is a first aid technique used to help a person who is choking due to an object blocking their airways. This maneuver can save lives and is crucial for anyone to know as it can be applied in an emergency situation, according to the Regina Maria clinic's website.

To correctly perform the Heimlich maneuver, follow these steps:

· Stand behind the person who is choking and encourage them to cough. If the person cannot cough or cannot breathe, proceed to the next step.

· Surround the individual with your arms and position a closed fist in the upper abdominal area, situated between the navel and ribs.

With the other hand, grasp your fist and apply firm and brisk pressure inward and upward in a "hugging" or "squeezing" motion.

· Repeat this maneuver several times until the blocked object is expelled or until the person regains the ability to breathe.

It is important to mention that the Heimlich maneuver should be applied only if the person cannot cough or cannot breathe, as it can be a powerful maneuver and may cause injury if applied incorrectly.

When it comes to applying the Heimlich maneuver to young children, there are a few important differences from applying it to adults. Due to the distinct anatomy and size of young children, a modified approach is essential to guarantee the safety and efficacy of the technique. Here's the procedure for applying this maneuver to young children:

1. In the case of a child under 1 year:

- Place the child face down with the head lower than the rest of the body.

- Support the child's head and neck with one hand and use the other hand to apply 5 gentle blows between the shoulder blades, using the lower part of the palm.

- If the object is not expelled, turn the child onto their back and insert two fingers into the center of the chest, below the nipple line.

Apply 5 gentle and quick compressions, with a depth of about 1.5-2.5 cm, followed by checking the child's mouth to see if the object has been expelled. Repeat the cycle of blows between the shoulder blades and compressions until the object is expelled or until the child regains the ability to breathe.

2. In the case of a child over 1 year:

- Sit behind the child and tilt them forward.

- Place a fist in the upper abdominal area, between the navel and ribs.

- Using your other hand, clutch your fist and exert strong and rapid pressure inwards and upwards in a "hugging" or "squeezing" motion.

- Repeat this maneuver several times until the blocked object is expelled or until the child regains the ability to breathe.

In Romania, there are several organizations and institutions that offer first aid courses. Here's where you can turn if you want to do this:

The Romanian Red Cross: The Red Cross organizes first aid courses nationwide. You can check the official website or contact the local branch for more information about the courses available in your area. The price of a 5-6 hour course is approximately 250 lei.

The Romanian Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU): ISU organizes first aid courses and other emergency response activities. The authorities' pages are constantly updated, so you can find out when courses are available in your area.

Non-governmental associations and organizations: There are also other non-profit organizations and associations that offer first aid courses in various cities in Romania.

Training and instruction centers: There are also specialized centers for first aid training and instruction that offer comprehensive training programs in first aid. These centers can be found in various cities and can offer comprehensive first aid training programs.