If someone collapsed in front of you? Or suddenly started choking on food?
What would you do?
Would you just stand there and stare confused, would you panic, try random things, or do you know what to do?
Knowledge is power, and I have seen cases where a little knowledge put to action saved a life… and sadly, a life was lost, because of the lack of a little knowledge that would have saved that life.
Back in primary school, we were first introduced to the term first aid in health education. The first time I saw a first aid kit put to use was during an interhouse sport. During a race, one of the seniors suddenly collapsed. Everyone panicked except one of our teachers, who ran to him with first aid. The only thing I could recognize her holding back then was water and glucose. And within a minute, he regained consciousness and got up on his feet.
But not all stories have happy endings. One time, I returned home just to learn that my neighbor had lost her little son because he couldn't stop stooling. When I was told the story I couldn't help but realize that they were more focused on stopping the stooling and didn't know to give him water, or worse, to replace all the fluids he was losing.
He passed away. And I can't help but wonder…if they knew what to do, maybe he would still be alive.
Something as simple as that might have saved him.
Things like this happen every day, and the difference isn't luck — it's knowledge, knowing what to do in time. The first few minutes can make a difference.
Most of the knowledge I have on first aid I got from classes as a medical student. But just basic ones like;
CPR–when someone collapsed and isn't breathing the first thing to do is to check for responsiveness and call for help.
Start 30 chest compressions at the center of the chest, maintaining the rhythm.
Then give 2 rescue breaths.
Repeat till help arrives.
Heimlich maneuver for choking response– for adults, stand behind, wrap your arms around, and give quick upward thrusts just above the navel till whatever is causing the airway obstruction comes out.
But for infants, due to fragile ribs, just perform 5 back blows and 5 gentle chest thrusts.
Controlling bleeding and burns–For minor burns, run under cool water for 10–15 minutes. I used to think ice was okay, but do not use ice!
Intense stooling–just like any condition where there is loss of water or body fluids, in any way possible, water or ORS should be given to replace lost fluids and electrolytes.
I wanted to register for a BLS training programme, but when I found out that because of numerous people it wouldn't be any different from what we have been taught in school, no serious practical, at least using dummies, I didn't bother again.
Basic life support skills aren't just for those in the medical field. Everyone needs to know at least something. The littlest knowledge can come in handy one day, whether as someone in need or to help another person.
