The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), the country’s premier humanitarian organization, leads the celebration of National First Aid Month this September and World First Aid Day on September 8. Both events share the aim of increasing public awareness on first aid and injury prevention and underscore the importance and advantage of possessing knowledge on how to administer first aid and thereby minimize the impact and prevent the adverse effect of a health emergency.

In support of the dual celebration, PNRC has launched the First Aider in the Home FAITH Program. This program endeavors to train at least one individual in every household nationwide in administering first aid. Other activities that are usually held at the PNRC National Headquarters and its chapters include the conduct of first aid and safety activities, including First Aid Olympics/Games; holding of first aid demonstration and first aid training and basic life support-cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes, for which PNRC will partner with SM Corporation; holding of recognition programs honoring the efforts of volunteers, instructors, emergency responders, and supporting companies and partners; first aid and safety fairs; mass education on first aid and CPR; public exhibits; arranging first aid features in local radio or television programs; and hanging of streamers in strategic areas.

The FAITH program is a welcome response to the need for trained individuals who can provide first aid treatment/response in times of health emergencies in homes or in communities. Accidents are part of our daily life and they occur when we least expect them. For this reason, presence of mind and having the right knowledge can spell the difference between life and death. While many homes have first-aid kits handy, it would be wise to have at least one member of the household train on the proper administration of first-aid treatment.

As we celebrate National First Aid Month, let us endeavor to acquire basic knowledge on first-aid provision keeping in mind that the life we save may be our own or that of a loved one.