Date: September 6, 2023
by Dr. Nurul’Ain Ahayalimudin & Muhammad Farhan Mahmud
Location: SMK Sultan Abu Bakar & SMK Paya Besar, Kuantan, Pahang
In collaboration with PPE 2023, the Community-based First Aid (CBFA) flagship team of Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM, is honoured to share our knowledge and skills on first aid with two schools in Kuantan: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Paya Besar and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Abu Bakar. The team was divided into two, with about 60 school pupils from each school involved in the session.
Besides first aid, the school pupils were also taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and ‘stop the bleed’. These are important skills and techniques that can save lives in emergencies. First aid is the initial care provided to a person who is injured or suddenly becomes ill before professional medical help arrives. It aims to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and promote recovery. Meanwhile, CPR is a life-saving technique used when the heartbeat or breathing have stopped. It consists of chest compressions and rescue breaths to circulate oxygen-rich blood to vital organs until professional medical help arrives.
A new basic life-saving technique was introduced during this exercise, Stop the Bleed. It is a national campaign in the United States and is now being introduced worldwide, aimed at teaching people how to control severe bleeding, which can occur in accidents or mass casualty events. It emphasises rapid response to stop life-threatening bleeding using basic techniques and tools.
These are essential skills to have in case of an emergency, and taking courses to become certified in first aid, CPR, and Stop the Bleed is highly recommended. Many organisations, such as the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Red Cross, offer training programs in these life-saving techniques. Being prepared and knowing how to respond in an emergency can make a significant difference in saving lives and minimising the impact of injuries.
