Volunteers school the media on COVID19

In a bid to continue the fight against COVID19, volunteers in Adamawa State took advocacy to another level as they donated face masks and hand sanitizers to 7 media houses.

Presenting the items, the volunteers underscored the need to put them to proper use. They noted that quite a few people tend to wear the masks under their chins or even remove them. They explained how to wear the Face Mask correctly saying it must cover the nose as well as the chin.

The volunteers spoke about the importance of using the media to create awareness about First Aid. They also made plans to train staff of the seven media Houses on basic First Aid.

Responding, the general managers of the various media outfits thanked the Red Cross for always putting humanity first. They also note that First Aid training will help to prepare staff to handle emergency situations better.

World First Aid Day 2020

The 2nd Saturday in the month of September, every year is World First Aid Day.

Statistics show that globally, in 2018, about 1.2 million people died as a result of injuries in road accidents. According to estimates by the British Red Cross, as many as 59 percent of these people could have been saved if they had received Basic First Aid on the spot.

Even in countries with the best emergency services, it can take up to ten minutes for an ambulance to arrive at the scene and help the patient or victim. This is a crucial, 10 minute window of opportunity to save the victim’s life.

The crux of the matter is ensuring that injured or sick people get quick and effective pre-hospital care otherwise known as first aid treatment before trained medical help arrives.

Life-saving first aid is simple and could be as easy as

1. Putting an unresponsive person who is breathing in a recovery position and tilting their head back to open their airways.
2. Or simply applying pressure to a bleeding wound to help slow down the loss of blood.

Sadly, this is only done in less than half of most situations as bystanders typically have no clue of first aid and panic while others make videos to post online.

On World First Aid Day, 2020, the Nigerian Red Cross Society wishes to point out that it is time all and sundry took First Aid more seriously.

There is a need for  First Aid’ knowledge for all.

Indeed many road traffic accident victims have ended up suffering severe spinal cord injuries or may have been killed due to the manner in which they were roughly pulled out of the wreckage of an accident by  ‘good Samaritans’.

Also, homes and offices need basic First Aid knowledge. It is sad that many people  do not even know how to handle someone who suddenly begins to choke on their food or slumps.

As we at the Nigerian Red Cross celebrate World First Aid Day, we ask you to reach out to any of the nearest 37 branches of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and get trained on basic first aid.

#BeAhero

#SaveLives

#LearnFirstAid

#BecomeAVolunteer

Thank You.

Abubakar Kende

Secretary-General, Nigerian Red Cross Society