Many of us learnt about first aid treatment from a very young age, because at that age, we were always in need of it due to our playfulness. Proper education on the need for first aid treatment was introduced to us as early as our primary school education. First aid is the immediate or emergency care given to someone with a sudden illness or injury, slowing it down or promoting recovery until professional medical care can be obtained.
Growing up, I never really paid attention or remember giving someone first aid treatment, not until I became a mum. Though I watched my mum have a special plastic with a cover which had some first aid treatment essentials, like methylated spirit, bandages, aspirin, Gv, hydrogen peroxide, etc, she never wasted time to send us to bring her blue first aid plastic when the need arose. Though I didn't fully appreciate its significance back then, I now understand the value of having such a kit handy
As I grew older and a mum myself, I've come to realize the importance of having a readily available first aid kit. Though I don't have the conventional first aid box either, just like my mum, what I do have is a transparent plastic that fits that function. As children are easily prone to injury due to rough play at times, and also those times when illnesses creep in the middle of the night, my little transparent first aid plastic comes in handy.
I've never had a thorough first aid treatment training, like doing CPR or cleaning a wound. I've mostly had to learn the latter with experience and have been successful with the treatment I've managed to give. Being a mother comes with a lot of responsibilities; one of the most critical roles is that of a caregiver or nurse, your child's nurse, so there is no way most mothers can do without this.
My most recent experience was when my first daughter got herself injured with the house gate, and it was bleeding profusely. Of course, I had to quickly get into action, to try and stop the bleeding before taking her to the hospital, where further drug prescription and tetanus injection was administered to her as well. Imagine I didn't have any first aid knowledge, she would have lost so much blood, and the situation might have been aggravated more than that.
Experiences ike tis and more prove the importance of having a first aid kit at home, school, or any other organization, and it's not about having it, but knowing how to use it effectively as well. As a mother, it is important that we know how to provide immediate care to our children in emergency situations. While I may not have a conventional first aid box, my transparent plastic container has been more than sufficient for us.
In Nigeria, where access to medical care can be limited in certain areas, having basic first aid knowledge and a first aid box can be a lifesaver. So don't procrastinate getting yourself and your family one.
