World First Aid Day is observed on the second Saturday of September every year. This year, the day will be observed tomorrow, i.e., September 12. First Aid day intends to raise public awareness of how first aid can save lives every day and crises.
What is First Aid?
First aid is the first and immediate assistance given to anyone who suffers from either minor or serious illness or injury, with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, or to promote recovery. The purpose of first aid is to minimize injury and future disability. In serious cases, first aid may be necessary to keep the victim alive before a doctor arrives to apply the more specialized treatment.
History of World First Aid Day:
The World First Aid Day was introduced by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 2000. First Aid help started over 160 years back. At the Battle of Solferino in north Italy. Henry Dunant, a young businessman from Geneva saw a devastating amount of suffering. He enlisted the civilian population and served the wounded mainly women, girls irrespective of their role in the fight. With the necessary materials, he establishment makeshift hospitals and served them. The celebration of the day raises public awareness about the first aid, how it can save lives every day, and during crises. The IFRC encourages people to learn the basic first aid training or at least educate themselves to practice any available, reliable sources.
Here is the list of 5 essential items you must include in your first aid kit for emergencies:
Antibiotic Ointment
There are lots of these topical antibacterial medications on the market, including bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin. They are sold under these generic names as well as various brand names, such as Neosporin and Mycitracin.
Scissors
A good pair of scissors has lots of uses, from trimming gauze pads and cutting lengths of medical tape to snipping clothing that needs to be trimmed out of the way.
Sterile Gauze Pads and Medical Tape
Gauze pads should always be part of a first aid arsenal. Use them to stop bleeding or to cover a wound that an adhesive bandage won’t accommodate. First smear the wound with antibacterial ointment, then use the tape to keep the gauze in place.
Antiseptic Wash
The ideal way to clean a fresh wound is with soap and water. But unless you’ve somehow managed to rig a faucet into your car, this won’t be an option in the case of a roadside emergency. The next best thing is an antiseptic wash that comes out in a stream forceful enough to flush dirt particles out of a wound.
Elastic Bandage
This length of stretchy fabric has a variety of uses in first aid care. It can tightly wrap an injury to help reduce swelling, hold bandages in place, serve as a tourniquet, or hold hot or cold packs in place.
