World First Aid Day is an annual campaign to promote the importance of first aid training in preventing injuries and saving lives.
THEME CHOSEN THIS YEAR: Lifelong First Aid.
First aid training provides more than the knowledge and skills to effectively respond – it also provides the confidence to act when needed. Red Cross First Aid offers a wide variety of first aid and CPR training courses, empowering Canadians to act on, prevent, and manage life’s emergencies. Every minute counts in a crisis. But no matter where you are in the world, professional medical help may not always be immediately available. By taking action through effective first aid, we can save countless lives. In most cases, first aid is performed by passers-by—usually members of the public—who witness an accident or emergency. When trained, people can provide basic medical care to treat minor injuries and preserve life until professional medical help arrives. First aid is a humanitarian act, vital to supporting healthy and resilient communities. It should be accessible to everyone, everywhere without discrimination.
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of one and 44. Having the skills to act immediately in an emergency situation can help save lives and reduce the impact of injury, but the knowledge also helps prevent injuries in the first place.
First aid isn’t just about saving lives, however. There are other reasons first aid is vitally important. When first aid is given to someone that is injured, it can do the following:
- Improve the chance of a full recovery and prevent permanent disabilities.
- Shorten the length of hospital stays.
- Prevent bad medical situations from getting worse.
- Reduce unnecessary visits to the hospital.
- Relieve physical and emotional pain of the patient.
- Provide a crucial means of communication to emergency responders.
HOW TO OBSERVE #WorldFirstAidDay
On this day, more than 100 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies organize events around the globe. These events and ceremonies increase awareness for first aid and the lives it can save. These events also encourage the general public to learn first aid and to obtain first aid certification. If you don’t know first aid, today is a great day to commit to taking first aid courses. You can encourage your friends and family members to do the same. Have you have ever provided first aid to someone in need? Or were you ever helped by someone who knew first aid? If so, share your story on social media with #WorldFirstAidDay.
You can use this day to educate yourself in the knowledge needed to help a life with free resources like www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/first-aid-training/first-aid-online
