As we were taught back in primary school, first aid is the immediate treatment given to an injured or ill person before he /she is taken to the hospital. And, it should always be handy at home, in offices, in schools, everywhere.
Based off on that definition, first aid is administered as first help to keep a person in sustenance until they get to the hospital and recieve proper medical care. It is not a replacement for medical check.
I never saw an actual first aid box until much much later and even now, I cannot tell all the contents in the box. Most of what I know about offering assistance to injured(or ill) persons, I learned from life occurrences and witnessing unfortunate incidents. Nothing that was taught outrightly. And I could say that right now, I know a good number of the basics.
Yet, it does not replace having an actual kit as that helps reduce the running-around in search for this-and that. Actually, an incident happened one time that made me pissed as well as convinced me of the need to have a first aid box always handy.
While I was in high school, senior secondary class one, my school held an interrhouse sports competition. In one of our numerous practices(or rehearsals or whatever it's called), racing competition was held. A classmate and close friend went up for the 400metre race. The game began and she was ahead. She ran well until just about two steps to the finish line, she collapsed to the ground. Alarmed, people ran to her and gathered her up unto the sitting podium of the field in use. From across the field where I witnessed it all, I ran over to her. The people there had surrounded her so much for someone who had collapsed for shortness of breath. It was wrong move. Most importantly, I had her bag in my possession and the bag held her inhaler. Yes, she was asthmatic. Don't ask why she ran and why the let her.
Getting to the scene, I managed to push myself through to the front and then I pleaded that everyone should leave. I remember screaming, "give her space. She needs air."
Thankfully, my classmates and a few teachers helped to disperse the thick gathering.
First thing i did was prop her up in a sitting position, seeing she was gasping for air. I don't know why but I did not think that it would have been easier to breathe better if she laid down. I began to undo her shirt button(not completely) and then I administered the inhaler while someone was rubbing on her chest and another, fanning her.
You know what, after she got hold of herself few minutes later and when we returned to school premises, another attack happened. This time, her inhaler had been used up. And guess what, there was no inhaler in school. Infact, for a big school as the one I attended, it was appalling that we had no first aid kit. The school authority usually sent unwell students to the primary school section to get checked by their nurse. I thought of it as insensible.
Long story short, she had to be rushed to the hospital in company of the school principal and some teachers. It was a scary incident that day. One that shook the school. Graciously, she got well sooner.
Weeks after, a health lab was brung built and made provision for. I'm sure the school authorities were shaken by the incident hence that move.
I don't own a first aid kit in my home currently although I know it is highly important. Sadly, I may not have known how to handle that ssiruation as i(we) did if I had not been friends with her and witnessed how she took care of herself when she had mild attacks.
Don't know if this counts as a first aid care though. But, whatever.
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!
