5 . My friend James did some first-aid training last week to learn the fundamentals of the CPR. And he asked if I’d ever done the same.

“Yes,” I said, “…and no.”

Because, yes, I’ve attended several resuscitation (复苏) sessions over the years.     1     In fact, despite being shown all the key information at various points in my career, I don’t think I can remember any of it now.

What’s the problem? Every time I’ve had this type of training, it’s been a perfectly good opportunity to learn: an important topic, taught well, in a focused environment, with plenty to see, hear and do. I’ve always taken it seriously, too, and been focused. And I’ve always come away with a wealth of information.     2    

Here’s what I should have done — and what you can do now — to make sure any training doesn’t go to waste.

•     3     You might be surprised to find that you’ve got some foundations of knowledge to build on. Pre-testing sparks your curiosity and puts you in a frame of mind to remember.

• Challenge your recall later.     4     If it’s hard to remember, but just about possible with effort, then that’s perfect. You need that little bit of struggle to start embedding (把……嵌入) information in your brain.

• Keep coming back. Put a note in your diary to test yourself again in a week, then ten days after that, then a month on…leaving longer gaps between checks.     5    

Talking to James has inspired me to book myself onto yet another CPR course. But this time I’m determined to do it right. Remember that it’s the next day when the real training begins.

6 . Several years ago, I was at a pre-season football practice at a high school where I was working with the team on a concussion (脑震荡) research project. The players were lined up in two rows facing each other and with little more instruction from the coach than, “on the whistle, hit the man across from you”, great concern rushed through my mind.

Professional sports get the lion’s share of attention, but over three million children and teenagers in the United States play the same game. This directly places concussions as a significant public health concern for all.

However, for decades, concussion has been considered a temporary injury with no long-term consequences. Many athletes will do just about anything to stay on the field and “play through the pain” as a sign of toughness. In 2005, with the release of the brain tissue pathology (病理学) report of Mike Webster a, a retired National Football League player, our thinking on concussion began to shift. Since then, public attention has focused on this link between brain injury and blows to the head. As our understanding of concussion progressed to understanding its significance as an injury, so too did the development of player equipment.

In the early 1900s football was played without helmets (头盔), but severe injuries, like skull fractures, led to the occasional use of leather helmets in the 1920s.The first facemask entered the game in the 1950s. Modern helmets use advanced shell materials, have moveable panels to absorb forces, and multi-layered padding that responds to different impacts. Companies will continue to improve helmets as new materials become available, guided by the newest science.

Sports are an important part of a society’s culture and they give millions of children much-needed exercise. Yet, participation in any sport carries injury risk, and concussion will always be part of that. As those children become adults and make sport their hobby or even career, ensuring them play safely at all levels is essential.

7 . Practicing general water safety

A day at the pool or the beach can be a very relaxing activity.    1    By practicing water safety rules, you can keep both you and those around you safe.

Strengthen your swimming skills.

    2    If you do not know what you are doing, it is possible you could make the situation worse, despite your best intentions. If you are going to be near water, or plan to be, it’s a great idea to take an advanced swimming course.

Practice caution.

Accidents happen, and it is certainly not possible to ensure that drowning incidents don’t occur. However, there are many steps you can take to reduce the possibility.    3    If possible, take a cellphone with you to the pool beach so that you can call for help if necessary.

Swim in designated (指定的) areas,

It is always best to swim with a lifeguard on duty. This is important for everyone, even strong swimmers. If you are going to be swimming in a pool, look for one with a regular lifeguard. Do not go in natural bodies of water if the conditions are unfavorable. For example, do not go in a lake if it is especially windy and the waves are strong. You should avoid going in the ocean when the tides are very strong. Many beaches post signs or flags advising you of conditions.    4    

    5    

While anyone can drown, children are especially susceptible (易受伤害的). If you have kids, make sure that you teach them to act responsibly around water. Have a set of rules for family swims, and make sure that your children understand them.

9 . In recent years, more and more people begin to receive some first aid training.     1     Ask any individual who has taken a first- aid training program if it is worth it and their answer will be “Yes!”

Besides saving lives, it does more. It’s true that having first-aid training helps save lives.     2     Giving appropriate first aid immediately can help to reduce a person’s recovery time and make a difference between whether the patient has a temporary or long-term disability.

It encourages healthy and safe living. One of the first things you will learn during your first-aid training is that you must look after yourself and ensure your own safety as a priority. It’s not being selfish but practical.    3    

It enables you to increase a patient’s comfort. Not all accidents, injuries or illnesses require a trip to the hospital.     4     A child crying because of an injured leg or with a fever is in pain and is suffering. By knowing how to act, you’ll help to reduce the child’s discomfort.

    5     In some situations if a patient doesn’t receive basic first aid care immediately their situation will become worse——often rapidly. A trained person would know how to keep the situation from becoming bad to worse. By being able to provide basic care you can stabilize (稳定) a patient until emergency medical services arrive.