The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
estimates that tens of millions of lives are being saved each
year by first aiders, which make them life savers during health
emergencies such as accidents and disasters.
Turkish Red Crescent, together with volunteers, has been engaged
in first aid programmes since 2000. It has been active in promoting
and developing life-saving practices across the country since
then. On World First Aid Day this year (2004), Turkish Red Crescent
taught life-saving techniques to youth and others.
Saving lives is easy
Turkish Red Crescent organised large public events under the
theme “First Aid – a gesture of humanity which makes
the difference” to mark World First Aid Day on the 11th
of September. A large number of young volunteers and staff of
the Turkish Red Crescent celebrated World First Aid Day with
a wide range of activities and events. The celebrations started
by young volunteers, staff and public holding each others and
forming a “human chain for help” at 11:00 am at
a busy park in Kizilay square, where Turkish Red Crescent headquarters
is in Ankara.
Events highlighted the importance that simple gestures could
save lives and provide initial response and make the difference
at the scene of emergencies such as accidents, disasters and
etc. There were simulations as removing a casualty or caring
for a person who had bleeding, burns and spinal cord injuries.
Eager participants
“There is a huge public interest towards First Aid. Especially
youngsters and women are very interested in our activities.
We are happy to see the will in their face and we do our best
to make them feel confident in their efforts as first aiders.
“says Sacide Karagöz, one of the Turkish Red Crescent
First Aid Master Trainers.
There were thousands of participants gathering at Kizilay square,
a popular meeting area in the city centre, where the Red Crescent
set up a big tent to perform First Aid simulations and to present
First Aid equipment, information materials and the promotional
items.
From knowledge to practice
Since the first aid is not only knowledge but also to put things
in practice and skills application; the simulations allowed
public to exercise what they have learnt from the instructors,
which is essential when faced with real emergency situations.
While simulations were receiving a great public interest, Turkish
Red Crescent presented tshirts and caps with messages on the
importance of First Aid to the young participants of the events.
Zeynep Benli, a 24 years old university student, visited the
Red Crescent tent and said: “I think it is very important
to learn how to save lives. I know that Turkish Red Crescent
has been highlighting the First Aid activities for already two
years. They give trainings to public, which I found very useful.
I think Turkish Red Crescent is being an eye-opener for the
public and taking the first step with these simulations, which
is quite important.”
Lots of publicity
Over 200 volunteers and staff were involved in activities this
day and estimated to have reached more than 20,000 people. To
announce the upcoming First Aid activities and spread First
Aid messages, two thousand posters were put on the public buses
in Ankara.
In parallel, an agreement has been made with a cargo company,
MNG Cargo, to put the First Aid posters on the public buses
and taxis for a week in Ankara. There were other 11 provinces,
where Turkish Red Crescent staff and volunteers met public at
busy streets and squares and have carried out public awareness
activities.
The Turkish Red Crescent has also created a team of mascots
for First Aid and prepared a graphic animation and a radio spot,
which will be broadcasted in national TV and radio channels
for one week to mark the World First Aid Day.
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| Turkish Red Crescent volunteers trained participants in First Aid as part of the World First Aid Day celebration in Ankara.
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| Part
of the First Aid demonstration included simulations of
situations such as bleetigs, burns and spinal injuries.
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| The
event received a lot of publicity, both in advance and
during the activities. |
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| Information
dissemination in Ankara.
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