Hey there. First aid can be regarded as helping behaviours and initial care provided by anyone in any situation for an acute illness or injury (Source: American Heart Association, 2020). This year, I had the fortunate opportunity to participate in an Emergency Rescue Team training along with a fire drill, followed by a two-day training session on first aid, CPR, and AED. These initiatives were excellently organised by my current company and proved to be extremely valuable, particularly for those working frontline like me!
I Wish I Had Learned Sooner
While these trainings were immensely beneficial for individuals in my position, I strongly believe they would be advantageous for everyone. The knowledge gained, especially regarding first aid, can be applied in various situations. Personally, I wish I had acquired this knowledge earlier, as it might have made a difference during the passing of my late mom and second brother. Although their departure was inevitable, having the ability to take action could have provided some solace.
My father passed away in a hospital while I was away in a hostel, which presents a different scenario since I couldn’t be present. However, witnessing the deaths of my late mom and brother was a haunting experience. All I could do was call for an ambulance and wait for assistance. I can’t help but wonder if I could have done more. Perhaps if I had, their loss wouldn’t have been so immediate. The regret still weighs heavily on me.
Some Key Points From What I’ve Learned
Sharing is caring and I believe it’s my duty to share some of the key points from what I’ve learned. Hey, I can’t give much because I only had few days training. LOL
- Dial 999/112 in case of emergencies. Give as much as information as possible.
- Assess the surroundings for potential dangers and remove them from the victim, or move the victim away from danger when feasible.
- It’s crucial to act swiftly as a person can survive only for approximately 4 minutes without oxygen. Therefore, if there is no response and no breathing, initiate CPR immediately by performing 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths to prevent brain death.
- If the victim has an object impaled in their body, refrain from removing it. Instead, apply a bulky dressing around the impaled object to stabilise it and prevent movement.
- Preserve any amputated body parts by wrapping them in a clean, dry cloth or plastic. Place them in another plastic bag with ice. If ice is not available, use alternative methods to keep the severed part cool, such as using air conditioning or cold water.
- Prioritise your safety before assisting others. Then, focus on rescuing as many individuals (who can be saved) as possible.
Grab The Opportunity to Learn!
The takeaway from this is that I urge everyone to equip themselves with this knowledge whenever the opportunity arises. You never know when you might need it. It’s worth mentioning that many people are hesitant to participate in such sessions, even when they’re offered the lessons for free at their workplace!
On another note, I’ve learned that some individuals have to pay for these training sessions. It might be beneficial for the government to offer basic training sessions for citizens free of charge. As our trainers emphasised, we are all potential first aiders. Even if it’s just knowing whom to call and what information to provide, this basic knowledge could be life-saving. Personally, I wasn’t aware of this information until I attended the training session. There may be information available, but the awareness is lacking.
In conclusion, let’s all strive to assist one another, particularly in emergency situations.
Thanks for reading!