Knowing a little can save lives
First Aid is that treatment we give to someone who sustain injury before taking the person to an hospital. This can help save countless lives when applied, but it's not the final treatment. I knowsome first Aid like how to stop bleeding, even CPR in theory but I have never done it before.
I'm certain that this is not everywhere but here, first Aid is not taken seriously. It's been taught in schools as part of a subject, but people rarely practice it. When something happens people just do what they can do and leave the rest to God. For instance, when someone dislocates joint, instead taking the person to hospital they just push the bone back into place and tie piece of cloth around the leg, give paracetamol and wait for pain to go. They won't think about internal injuries if there's any.
I have never had opportunity to use first Aid on anyone before. The only first Aid I have applied is when a child falls and scratches the leg on the floor and it starts bleeding, I get bitterleaf, squeeze it and apply onto the wound to stop the bleeding. I have not witnessed a serious accident or emergency up close. I have watched countless movies where first Aid is been applied such as putting pressure on a wound to stop the bleeding and turning a person to the side if the person is unconscious but is still breathing.
- LOCAL FIRST AID
Yes, you read it right. I call it local because it doesn't require the English medicine. Although, I only know of cases that aren't too serious such as fire burns or hot water pouring on someone. When one is cooking and fire mistakes touches the person, you'll quickly rinse the affected area with cold water then apply salt, it'll hurt for a bit but then subsides. This will help the area not to get swollen, the same applies for hot water.
CPR: I have only seen this in movies but I have never seen where it is done in reality. This involves pressing someone's chest and giving mouth to mouth breath if the person is unconscious.
In our society, knowledge of First Aid is low. Many people don’t have a First Aid box at home or even in their shops. When an accident happens, most people don't help, they just run around or looking for who to help. Some people even go as far as using their phones to record the incident which is wrong.
I strongly believe that more people should be taught First Aid, even from school age. We don’t have to be doctors, but knowing how to help in the first few minutes can make a big difference. In as much as it is good to pray, one shouldn't depend solely on prayers alone.
First Aid is something I want to learn better and teach my kids. And maybe, just maybe, one day I’ll be able to help someone when they really need it.
