First aid is never an alternative for proper medical treatment, first aid skills are something every family should know, especially with children running and playing around.
Before we discuss how important first aid is, let's look at its meaning and why it matters.
First aid is an immediate assistance given to any person suffering from either a minor or serious illness or injury until full medical treatment is available. So, think of first aid as a quick treatment that ensures the victim’s survival, reduces the pain and prevents further harm to the victim.
Usually it is called ‘first aid’ because anyone can perform the procedure on an injured person regardless of their medical knowledge, as long as the person understands the techniques and procedures to carry out in that particular situation.
For parents, it is important to have a first aid kit at home, in the car or anywhere your family spends a lot of time. It is also important that kids at home have a basic knowledge of first aid, its advantages and items you can find in a basic first aid box/kit.
Here’s what a basic first aid kit essentials include;
Adhesive bandages and sterile gauze pads
Antiseptic wipes or solutions
Adhesive tape
Scissors and tweezers
Disposable gloves
A digital thermometer
Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen
CPR face shield or mask
Emergency blanket
Benefits for Primary School Students
1. Developing Problem-Solving Skills
Introducing first aid at a young age helps children become natural problem-solvers. When they learn to assess situations, identify potential dangers, and choose the appropriate action, such as applying a bandage or asking for help, they are building critical thinking skills. These skills extend beyond emergencies, helping children approach everyday challenges with a structured mindset.
2. Boosting Confidence
Primary school children often experience fear or anxiety in unfamiliar situations. First aid training empowers them to act with confidence, knowing they have the ability to help in an emergency. By practicing basic skills like bandaging a wound or calling emergency services, children become more self-assured, which translates into other areas of life, such as schoolwork or social situations.
3. Encouraging Compassion and Empathy
Teaching young children to care for others in need promotes kindness, compassion, and empathy. These emotional qualities are developed when children understand that their actions can help others feel better. Whether it’s a scraped knee in the playground or a peer feeling unwell, they are more likely to offer assistance and comfort, enhancing their interpersonal relationships
4. Introducing Safety Awareness
Through first aid, primary school students learn basic safety awareness. This includes recognizing dangers like sharp objects, hot surfaces, or risky behaviors. By internalizing these lessons, children become more conscious of their own safety and that of others. This awareness is especially important as they grow and become more independent.
Benefits for Secondary School Students
1. Advanced Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
As children enter secondary school, first aid training can become more detailed and complex, teaching them to handle situations like choking, broken bones, or severe bleeding. This level of training sharpens their decision-making skills and helps them approach challenges analytically. It also improves their ability to stay calm under pressure, a valuable skill for exams or stressful situations.
2. Building Leadership and Responsibility
Teenagers in secondary school can take on leadership roles by learning and even teaching first aid to their peers. They can become safety ambassadors, showing responsibility not just for themselves but for those around them. This can instill a sense of maturity, and the experience of being trusted with life-saving knowledge can be a great motivator.
3. Encourages Independence
First aid training at the secondary level promotes independence by teaching teens how to handle emergencies on their own. Whether it's dealing with a sports injury or assisting in a car accident, having first aid skills gives them the confidence to manage situations when adults may not be around, fostering self-reliance.
4. Introducing Career Opportunities
For secondary school students, learning first aid can spark an interest in health-related careers, such as becoming a paramedic, nurse, or doctor. By exposing them to basic medical knowledge and showing them how they can make a difference, first aid training opens the door to potential future professions in the healthcare sector.
Common First Aid Situations Parents Should Know
Here are a few situations where parents or children may need to step in with first aid:
Choking
Whether your child is choking on food or a small object, learning the Heimlich maneuver can save their life.
The Heimlich maneuver is a first aid technique used to help someone who is choking due to an airway obstruction, such as food or a foreign object. To perform the Heimlich maneuver:
Stand behind the person.
Wrap your arms around their waist.
Make a fist and place it just above the navel.
Grasp your fist with the other hand.
Perform quick, upward abdominal thrusts to force the object out of the airway.
Minor Cuts and Scrapes
Clean the wound with water, apply an antiseptic, and cover it with a clean bandage to avoid infections.
Burns
Cool the burn under running water for at least 10 minutes, then cover it with a clean cloth to protect the area until you can get medical advice.
Insect Stings and Allergic Reactions
Knowing how to apply antihistamines and identify severe reactions, like difficulty breathing, can help you act quickly in an emergency.
CPR for Cardiac Arrest
In rare cases, you may need to perform CPR on a child or adult. Parents can learn child-appropriate CPR techniques to help keep the heart pumping until professional help arrives.
First aid isn’t just about quick fixes; it’s about creating a safety net for the people around you. Take the opportunity to learn or refresh your first aid skills and be a part of this life-saving movement.