World First Aid Day is observed every year on the second Saturday of September to raise public awareness about how first aid can save lives in everyday and crises. In 2025, this important global event falls on September 13, bringing attention to the life-saving power of first aid education and training across all communities. The theme for World First Aid Day 2025 is ‘First Aid and Climate Change,’ which highlights the critical need to empower communities with essential first aid skills to effectively respond to emergencies, especially those caused by climate change, natural disasters, and shifting environmental conditions. As the frequency and severity of climate-related events increase, being prepared with first aid knowledge becomes more vital than ever.
What Is First Aid?
First aid denotes the support given to any person suffering from an unexpected injury or sickness. The primary purpose of first aid is to save lives and prevent the problem from deteriorating. An individual can offer basic first aid in an emergency to save a person's life. In emergency injuries or accidents, almost 90% of lives are saved by the common man, which makes a tremendous difference in people's lives.
Also Read:World First Aid Day 2022: A Rightfully Done CPR Can Save A Life
It is quintessential to stock basic first aid essentials at home, in the workplace, and in your vehicles, which can help you to handle minor injuries and accidents.
While travelling, first aid in road safety should be of paramount importance. Administering the right first aid can lower the chances of injury and loss of life in road accidents. Every individual must be aware of the basics to be given in any emergency situation.
According to recent statistics, every year, about 5 lakh road accidents happen in India, where the mortality is 1.5 lakhs, and around 3 lakh people are injured. Road accidents are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The government of India intends to lower the end and accident rate by 50% by 2022.
Also Read: World First Aid Day 2021: Here’s How You Provide Immediate Help To Accident Victims
Immediate First Aid After A Road Accident:
Critical Four Minutes:
The most common reason for road accident death is lack of oxygen supply. This happens due to a blocked airway, and generally, it takes less than 4 minutes for a blocked airway to cause mortality. So, it is imperative to restore oxygen supply immediately.
The Golden Hour:
The first hour post-accident or trauma is known as the golden hour. If basic first aid is provided effectively, road accident victims have a better chance of survival and a lower risk of injuries.
Stock Up On the Essentials To Save Someone's Life. Choose From Our wide Wide-Range Of First-Aid Components Right Away!
Here is the list of must-haves in your first aid kit:
Plasters in different sizes and shapes
- Sterile dressing gauze in different sizes
- Bandages
- Crêpe bandages
- Safety pins
- Disposable sterile gloves
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Cleansing wipes
- Tape
- Digital thermometer
- Lotion or skin rash creams
- Pain-relieving spray
- Antiseptic cream
- Distilled water for cleaning wounds
- Refresh tears or eyewash
5 Immediate First Aid Tips For Emergencies
Bleeding Control
Apply firm pressure on the wound using a clean cloth or bandage to stop bleeding. If possible, elevate the injured area above heart level and keep pressure until medical help arrives.
Burn Treatment
Cool the burn under running water for at least ten minutes. Do not apply butter or creams. Cover with a clean, non-stick bandage and seek medical care for severe burns.
Choking Response
If someone is choking and cannot cough or speak, give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, followed by 5 abdominal thrusts until the object is dislodged or help arrives.
CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
If a person is unresponsive and not breathing, call emergency services and give 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Continue until professional help arrives or the person recovers.
Fracture Care
Keep the injured area still and avoid moving the person unnecessarily. Support the limb with a splint or cushion. Apply ice wrapped in cloth to reduce swelling and seek immediate medical attention.
Conclusion:
Always remember to keep a basic first-aid instruction booklet with your first-aid kit. Basic first aid training is a must for every individual as it goes beyond saving a life; it makes a person better acquainted with techniques and ushers the way for a healthy and safe existence.
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile:
M Sowmya Binu:
With over 15 years of expertise and a Postgraduate degree in Nutrition, M Sowmya Binu is a seasoned professional in the field of nutrition. Specialising in tailoring personalised diet plans, she underscores the significance of a balanced approach to health, emphasising the integration of medication with dietary intake for holistic wellness. Passionate about equipping individuals with knowledge to make informed decisions, Sowmya adeptly develops insightful content encompassing a wide array of topics, including food, nutrition, supplements, and overall health.
References:
https://firstaidjournal.org/
https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/details?id=132334
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