World First Aid Day started in the year 2000. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) introduced it to raise global awareness of how first aid can save people’s lives in everyday situations. It occurs on the second Saturday of September every year. It provides an opportunity for citizens to understand they can quickly learn skills that could save someone’s life.
First aid is the assistance given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury,with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and/or promote recovery. It includes initial intervention in a serious condition prior to professional medical help being available, such as performing CPR while awaiting an ambulance, as well as the complete treatment of minor conditions, such as applying a plaster to a cut. First aid is generally performed by the layperson, with many people trained in providing basic levels of first aid, and others willing to do so from acquired knowledge.
First aid skills not only give your students the ability to save a life – knowing how to respond in an emergency can also boost confidence, self esteem, teamwork and communication skills.