First aid in the home vital

In five to 10 years, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) aims to have at least one “first aider” in every family, said MRCS National Publicity chairman Datuk Ahmad A. Talib.
“A first aider is a person who has the knowledge and skills to give first aid in an emergency situation, when every second is crucial for the survival of the injured person.
“Even if you call an ambulance, it will take a while to arrive. If you know how to give the person simple first aid, it could make all the difference between life and death,” he said during the MRCS first aid demonstration in the Selangor Cheshire Home, held in conjunction with the World First Aid Day celebration yesterday.
With this year's theme First Aid With Vulnerable (Marginalised) People, the disabled and their family members were given a demonstration on the various first aid techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), Heimlich manoeuvre and water rescue.
First aid can be applied for emergency situations like drowning, choking, burns, electric shock, fractures and heart attacks.
Ahmad added that there was currently an ongoing programme to reach out to companies' employees and teach them first aid procedures.
The employees who have learnt first aid, can then be the “first aider” in their respective families, and those who have gone through MRCS' 11-hour First Aid course will be given certificates of attendance.
“I believe this is very important, as companies should be responsible in ensuring that their staff are equipped with the knowledge of saving lives.
“More so if the company deals with the public on a daily basis, such as bus or taxi companies. Would the drivers know what to do if an accident occurred?” Ahmad asked.
The programme to have A First Aider in Every Home will be launched on Sept 26 by the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
For more information on first aid courses, call MRCS at 03-4257 8122 or St John Ambulance Malaysia at 03-9285 1576.
Source