'Get trained in first aid and be empowered to save lives'

The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society is calling on the public to learn first-aid skills that may save life saying there are far more preventable deaths than is realized owing to lack of these basic essential skills.

Speaking at an event to mark the World First Aid Day commemorations yesterday in Harare, the society's national vice president Mrs Tsitsi Sigauke said people should acquire first aid training in order to assist each other and save lives in cases of accidents.

She said people were all more or less vulnerable but they all had the capacity to learn and provide first aid to save a life. She highlighted that first aid was by no means a replacement for emergency services, but that it was however, a vital initial step to provide effective and swift action that helps reduce serious injuries and improve the chances of survival of the victim.

"My challenge to the Zimbabweans, communities, industry, the mining sector, schools and churches is that they must get trained in first aid and be empowered to save lives," Mrs Sigauke said.

"People's lives are lost even when instances that need general aid because no one would know what to do at the very onset of an accident. The knowledge that you gain through ZRCS nationwide training programmes will equip you for any emergencies or disasters."