Media Release
Udupi, Apr 8: On the occasion of World Health Day, NSS-YRC-RC Unit of Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management (SMVITM) Bantakal in association with Indian Red Cross Society, Udupi organized day-long workshop on 'First Aid Awareness Programme' in the institute premises.
Basrur Rajeev Shetty, managing body member state and chairman Indian Red Cross Society Udupi was the chief guest on the occasion and inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. In his Inaugural address to the gathering, he said, "The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) is a voluntary humanitarian organization to protect human life and health based in India. It is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and so shares the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society’s mission is providing relief in times of disasters, emergencies and promoting health and care of vulnerable people and communities."
The guest of honour Dr Gananath Shetty Yekkar, secretary, Indian Red Cross Society, Udupi said, ”The evolution of the Red Cross Movement and emphasized on the fact that the Youth Red cross today has attained remarkable accomplishments in the areas of First aid treatments, General awareness creation towards Blood donation, organ donation, fundraising activities, flood relief campaigns, Disaster management and so on. He encouraged the young generation to come forward and devote their spare time in services of this sort."
Dr Thirumaleshwara Bhat, rincipal in his presidential address expressed his pleasure and pride of having seen the variety of service activities that has been conducted by the Youth Red Cross wing in the past years and gave his best wishes for the events to be held in the future.
Ashwin Kumar M, certified first aid trainer, Mangaluru was the resource person. The awareness programme on first aid was conducted for first year students. During the first session the resource person, Ashwin Kumar said, ”The skill or value of first aid and how it should be given in different situations is very essential for the students as there are many injuries that occur in colleges and other places. Also he has emphasized on the importance of learning first aid and urged those who are getting the training to train other students."
In the second session, he showed some practical demonstrations on various kinds of first aid. He explained the kind of first aid that could be given in the case of electric shocks, burns, fractures, snake bites, sprains, dislocations, eye injuries, etc. Also he said that the first aim of First Aid is to save a life. The second aim is to prevent the person’s condition from worsening. The third aim is to help in the person’s recovery. At the end of the training period, each participant felt or herself better equipped to help people suffering from accidents or from a sudden illness.
The workshop sessions focused on the basics of first aid, and how to provide first aid in wounds, bleeding, musculoskeletal injury, burns, heatstroke, poisoning, bites, drowning, fainting, seizures and unconsciousness. All students had an experience of splinting the injured body part, providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and transferring the victim. There was active participation by all the students and they expressed that the workshop will be very useful for them to meet the emergencies in the colleges.
Ashwin Kumar M, certified first aid trainer Mangalore, deans, HODs, faculty, staff members and students were present during the function. Nagaraja Rao, coordinator NSS-YRC-RC Unit welcomed the gathering. Sakshi of 1st year CSE invoked the blessings from the Almighty. Shravya and Manya, 1st Year CSE introduced the guests. Mythri Shetty of 1st year CSE proposed a vote of thanks. The programme was compeered by Princita Menezes.