Reported by: Hassan Hamza

Despite being a temporary solution for any emergency or illness, first aid has the potential to save lives. Therefore, in addition to caring for the injured before sending them to the hospital, each of us needs to learn the fundamentals and techniques of first aid and how to deal with the wounded, preserve their lives, keep them away from the source of danger, and prevent their condition from getting worse at the location of the accident.

The Iraqi Red Crescent Society, through its Community Communication and Development Forum in the governorates of Nineveh, Diyala, and Karbala, started a series of first aid training workshops as part of its health awareness programmes that benefit everyone and the public interest.

The first aid classes catered to a wide range of social groups, including government employees, local residents, members of the security forces, traffic and civil defence professionals, and instructors at different educational levels.

The training workshops covered a variety of theoretical and practical lectures to acquaint participants with the procedures to be followed for optimal handling of (cases of loss of consciousness, side safety position, first aid for fractures and burns, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation) injuries sustained during accidents or disasters in order to save the lives of the injured.

The first aid provider must be certified for the job by completing the necessary training and having the knowledge necessary to correctly administer this humanitarian service to the ill or injured.