According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, First Aid is defined as “immediate help provided to a sick or injured person until professional help arrives. It is concerned not only with physical injury or illness but also with other initial care, including psychosocial support for people suffering emotional distress from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event”.
First Aid is considered a key component of emergency care, as it can help to improve the chance of survival and reduce the effects of all types of injuries, including those caused by natural disasters, motor accidents, and in the case of emotional and mental disorders.
Having first responders in communities and secondary schools who are trained in basic First Aid is an important step towards effective emergency intervention. This is particularly essential in remote areas where sub-‐district health centers and hospitals are not immediately accessible.
In an effort to support the Liberian Ministry of Health strategic health plan, Collaborating Against Poverty (CAP) Liberia provided a one week training for more than 30 participants including 20 students and 10 teachers from 10 secondary schools more than 5 km away from a nearby health facility in Margibi County
The training commenced with a pre-test to access participants’ prior First Aid Knowledge. This is an important part of our First Aid training guide for secondary schools
After understanding participants’ prior knowledge of First Aid, we then agreed to begin from the basics and principles of First Aid since the participants’ profile showed that 97% of the participants were for the first time being train as First Aider
During the training, students learned the basics of first aid and its principles. They practice accessing, planning, implementing and evaluating situations in a proficient manner.
As the participants developed the basics, we then introduced first aid steps for casualties who are conscious. During this session, students practiced placing casualties in recovery positions.
Participants also learned and role played CPR for adults, children and infants. They learned the rate of chest compressions and safety methods for providing life breathe using the mouth to mouth resuscitation device, etc.
At the end of the one week training, both students and teachers were certificated and a fully stock First Aid Kit were donated to each of the 10 participating schools. These First Aider are currently leading health education and WASH activities on their various campuses.
To be a part, kindly donate a first aid kit to empower students in Liberia and sustain WASH facilities on campuses. Call us on +231776796689/881036005 or send us message at capliberia2022@gmail.com