Hopefully, most individuals will never have to perform the Heimlich maneuver, CPR, or immediate care for a snake bite. However, YouTube will now offer easy access to comprehensive first aid videos produced by reputable medical institutions and hospitals in the event that it occurs.
The quick instructional videos will be pinned to the top of frequently searched terms for acute medical crises, such as bleeding, choking, heart attacks, seizures, and opioid overdoses, according to a statement released by YouTube on Wednesday.
The goal of the new feature, First Aid Information Shelves, is to provide users with vital life-saving information that has been given by the American Heart Association, Mexican Red Cross, and Mass General Brigham—the three medical groups who produced the videos that YouTube is advertising.
For instance, a Mass General Brigham doctor demonstrates to viewers when to conduct the Heimlich maneuver and the proper hand placement for administering belly thrusts in a video that YouTube is advertising in searches for choking.
Additionally, YouTube and the American Heart Association have teamed up to offer a free CPR training that starts with a video showcasing professional football player Damar Hamlin. According to the heart-health organization, Hamlin’s stunning on-field cardiac emergency last year inspired people to learn CPR again.
By elevating reputable and useful health content, YouTube may become a more dependable resource in an emergency and prevent the spread of false information about health.
According to the corporation, YouTube had previously shown health films from reliable sources in response to searches for urgent ailments, but this will be the first time the site has given preference to videos with practical advice.
“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward to increase access to authoritative resources on first aid care, especially for those without medical training at times when they may need it most,” YouTube said in a blog post.
According to YouTube, there are a lot of videos available in both English and Spanish, and more languages will be supported in the future.