The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) stresses the importance of training in first aid as it joins the World First Aid Day celebration on September 12, with the theme “Lifelong First Aid.” The world celebrates World First Aid Day every second Saturday of September.
Emergencies such as a fall, poisoning, and choking can occur at home, at work, and in social settings. Having a trained first aider ensures prompt action can be taken. The first four minutes of an emergency is a critical period; if action is taken, the patient has higher chances of survival. PRC’s first aid training course includes Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), an emergency lifesaving procedure done on patients whose hearts have stopped beating. Researches show that cardiac arrest patients who are given CPR in pre-hospital settings have higher chances of survival.
PRC Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon envisions having one member per Filipino family who knows first aid, including CPR. “Kapag may training ka sa first aid, may lakas ng loob ka rumesponde kapag may emergency, na maaaring mangyari sa mga oras na kasama mo ang iyong pamilya, mga kaibigan, o mga ka-opisina” Gordon said.
The PRC Safety Services Team has trained over 58,000 individuals in first aid from January 1, 2022 to September 26, 2022 in its 102 chapters. It provides the following first aid training courses: (1) Standard First Aid Training and Basic Life Support/CPR – AED Training, (2) Occupational First Aid Training and Basic Life Support/CPR – AED Training, and (3) Emergency First Aid Training. Those who have taken any of the courses may renew their certificate every two years.
Those interested in taking a first aid training course with the PRC may call the following numbers: (02) 8790-2365 / 8790-2366 for further information.
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