Help in Any Way That Saves a Life
Most people who witness an accident or a medical emergency want to help but are either unsure of what to do or they are afraid they can do more damage because they don’t know first aid.
Dear Nigerians, we know you want to help when you see others hurt but you have to act within the limits of knowledge that is based on facts and not myths, hearsays or practices of old.
First Aid just means help and you can help in a variety of ways if you don’t know what to do in the case of the specific medical emergency:
1. Call/Send for help:
Call 112, 767, your spouse, a co-worker, a neighbour etc. Please call for help specifically by stating the problem at hand and not just shouting and wailing.
E.g say to your colleague: “Debo! Come quickly! Tope is on the floor! She is not moving! Call 112 …. the hospital …. bring the first aid box … the defibrillator” etc. Do you get this?
2. Comfort, reassure and stay with the victim till help arrives:
Do this whether the victim is conscious or not. If the victim is conscious, your words of comfort can go a long way in calming the victim.
Tell him, “You will be fine“, even though he tells you he can’t feel his legs. No matter how bad you feel the situation is, it is not the time or place to let them know. No wailing or shouting please, you are not the victim.
Staying with the victim till medical care arrives enables you to pass on first-hand information or something you observed that could be vital in helping them know the treatment to begin.
The above two are first aid, you are helping the victim stay alive with these actions. Even if you think you don’t know first aid, there are always ways to help.
