What is the Importance of World First Aid Day?
September 13, 2016, is the World First Aid Day, a campaign that happens
every year to raise public awareness of how first aid training helps in saving
lives and preventing injuries.
First Aid is defined as the first assistance provided to an individual
who suffers a sudden illness or injury. You do not have to be a trained medic
to offer first aid. We can all perform first aid to their relatives, colleagues
or friends when an emergency occurs. But how many know how?
The primary objective of first aid is saving life and preventing the
medical situation from worsening. With that in mind we should all make an
effort to master basic first aid skills.
The first aid statistics are shocking. Every year, in the UK alone, more
than 150,000 lives are lost in circumstances where first aid skills can have a
significant difference. A worrying statistic is that only 9 percent of parents
and guardians in the UK are willing and confident to carry out first aid on their
children. That means 91% do not know where to start!!
In 2000, the IFRC (Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)
introduced the World First Aid Day. Every year over 100 Red Crescent and Red
Cross society organize global ceremonies and events worldwide. The campaigns
focus on promoting the role of first aid in saving lives in daily crisis. Each
person should be ready to perform first aid on a loved one or a colleague.
First aid skills are something that should be available at all times, at
work, leisure, and home. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that
key staff members have the essential skills that can save a life. Investing in
a healthy and a safe workforce is an aspect that business owners should never
overlook.
What Does IFRC Do?
The training provided by IFRC aims at promoting the objective of the
British Red Cross to minimize and prevent suffering, save lives and boost the
resilience and well-being of the UK populace and the whole world.
The Charity Fund operated by the British Red Cross benefits from the
operational surplus from IFRC training. Therefore, they can design the most
substantial impact for persons in crisis irrespective of wherever or whoever
they are.
Participants in the World First Aid Day learn crucial life-saving skills
that can assist you in responding to any emergency with confidence. You will
also help IFRC to accomplish its vision of ensuring all people across the world
enjoy the assistance they require in any crisis.
First Aid for Younger Generation
The British Red Cross aims to launch a campaign that will assist in
developing first aid skills for children and teens aged 11 to 16 years in the
same day.
Popular social networking platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and
Facebook, as well as, the Red Cross website (www.redcross.org.uk/lifeliveitnow)
will provide teens with exceptional experiences. National dance clubs and
sports clubs will also benefit from the first aid training provided by the
professionals from the British Red Cross.
Additionally, the World First Aid Day will also feature lots of fun
activities including celebrity gossip, blogs, competitions, and quizzes. All the
activities will focus on raising awareness of the primary benefit of learning
first aid skills.
In summary, the World First Aid Day is important to all of us. Learning
to save a life is a skill that every person should master. Plan to participate
in the coming World First Aid Day.
And remember – Mayfair Cares
With thanks to the following sources:
[1] http://www.realfirstaid.co.uk/fatality-statistics/
[2] http://www.heartrhythmfoundation.org/facts/scd.asp
[3] http://www.thefirstaidzone.co.uk/first-aid-facts