Al-Amn Magazine

accidents and how to administer first aid. During these days, numerous campaigns and training workshops are organized targeting various segments of society, including school students, employees, drivers, and housewives. What is first aid? First aid is the immediate and temporary care provided to an injured person at the scene of an accident before the arrival of specialized medical assistance. This care aims to preserve the life of the injured person, limit the deterioration of their health, and contribute to a faster recovery. First aid includes a variety of simple but effective interventions, such as stopping bleeding, resuscitation, treating burns, immobilizing fractures, and dealing with choking or poisoning. Global statistics indicate that hundreds of thousands of deaths could be avoided annually if someone trained to provide first aid were present in the first moments of an injury. For example, in cases of sudden cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by a bystander can triple the chances of survival. In cases of severe bleeding, the victim may die within minutes, but direct pressure on the wound stops the bleeding until the ambulance arrives. In cases of choking, rapid intervention by performing the Heimlich manoeuvre can save the life of a child or adult within seconds. Who can learn first aid? Everyone, without exception. These skills do not require being a doctor or healthcare practitioner. Rather, they are designed to be understood and applied by anyone. In fact, the greater the number of trained people in a community, the greater the chances of survival in emergency situations. Many health and humanitarian organizations, such as the Red Crescent, Civil Defense, and health authorities, offer free or nominal-cost courses that include theoretical and practical training on real-life scenarios. One of the most important basic rules to follow when dealing with injured people is to ensure that the area is safe for you and the injured person. Then, call for help: Call an ambulance immediately and provide appropriate first aid, depending on the type of injury, whether by stopping bleeding, performing CPR, or using a defibrillator, if available. In a world where the pace of life is accelerating and daily risks are increasing, first aid skills are becoming more than just an additional skill; they are a human and societal responsibility. Let us take this occasion, World First Aid Day, to renew our commitment to learning these skills and sharing them with those around us, because saving a life may require nothing more than someone who knows what to do in a critical moment.