Most of the time we think that first aid is only meant for doctors or health practitioners, but most of the time emergencies arise, emergencies that won't wait for you to reach out to a health practitioner or hospital. At such a time, what would you do? Knowing you have very few seconds or minutes to decide a person's fate. What would you do? Helpless...
Certain emergencies don't require much. When a person is bleeding heavily, what do you do? Do you just shiver and shout when you can do something as simple as pressing a clean cloth firmly on the wound? Then you can find a way of rushing the individual to the hospital. Emergencies don't wait for you to get help; you should be the help at such a time. Imagine someone faints and you don't know something as simple as making sure they are on their side and stopping others from pouring water all over them. Though simple, many don't know it. I am not in the health sector, but I have witnessed these things, so I know.
I went to greet a friend some time ago, and the sister started acting strange. Not only that, but I understood that it seems she needs ventilation. The brother moved close and was asking questions, telling her to tell him what's wrong, bothering her with various questions, and you can. I just stood up, walked to the window, which was half open, opened it all the way, put up the curtains, and asked her to loosen the trousers she was wearing a little bit. These things help prevent more damage/havoc and can be lifesaving.
There was a day in my secondary school days—it was during break time—we were playing football, and suddenly one of the boys on the pitch slumped. In a few seconds everyone had scattered; some ran away, and most stood and surrounded him, doing nothing but just shouting. One of our seniors who was nearby rushed over and turned him to his side and checked his breathing. That was when I got to know that turning over someone who faints helps and reduces damage. That was when I also knew how helpless I was, because I was there too and couldn't do anything. The question is... What if I am the only one there?
First aid is the simple and small things we can do. I once visited a home and saw them keep a first aid box somewhere around the visitors room. The wife and husband weren't even in the medical line. I was still hoping to ask them why they had such in their house, just to tease them. I thanked my stars I did not; I saw why right there before I left. One of their kids was riding his bicycle in the backyard while we all were still talking inside; just then we heard a scream. The mother quickly went to check, and the next thing, I saw the oldest child come in and carry the first aid box. I went out together with the father to check; he had injured his arm, even though it was just a bruise and it wasn't much. The opportunity to have it taken care of very quickly was there.
Keeping a small first aid box at home can go a long way in helping. I don’t know everything; I don't even know much about first aid, but with the little I know, I understand its value.
Most of us don't know and still don't want to know; we don't want to learn or get trained. And it is very important. Emergencies happen at times, and we waste precious time that could have helped in sustaining the individual; we waste it in shouting, screaming, running around, and looking for a bike or taxi to rush the person to a hospital. Precious and life-saving minutes are lost just because no one knows what to do. It is not us replacing doctors; it is us helping someone stay alive, feel less pain, and survive long enough to get to a hospital.
I still have a lot to learn about first aid; I don't even have a first aid box at the moment. And I still plan to, even if not for myself. Life is unpredictable; I can be of help to a friend or a neighbor, even a stranger. Emergencies don't come knocking. Imagine something happens right there in your presence, and instead of getting scared, you walk close because you know exactly what to do. How would you not want to learn and know something that can save a life...?
How much do you know about first aid? If you don't know any, please take out time to learn; if you know little, please take out time to learn and know more. Ask yourself this question... If a child burns their hand, what do you do? Do you know what to rub on it or not? Do you know what exactly is best to apply or not? If someone is bleeding, do you know what to do? Do you know whether to apply pressure or not? Though simple, it matters.
First aid is a responsibility for both me and you. We should always be prepared to protect the surrounding lives in every little way we can. No knowledge is a waste; a day is coming when that knowledge will make a difference in someone's life by giving them a second chance to live.
All pictures were generated using AI.
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