On 5th January, the Ashram in association with the Himachal Pradesh State Red Cross Society conducted a one-day First Aid Training Workshop to equip its residents for Crisis Management. The Ashram was abuzz with enthusiasm as all residents & staff members participated in the day long workshop led by Mrs. Parveen Mahajan, a certified lecturer in First Aid and Home Nursing.

An emergency can strike practically anytime, anywhere and to anyone. It is a difficult time and calls for immediate first aid administration. As Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said, “The future belongs to those who prepare for it.”

Considering the remote location of the Ashram and number of devotees thronging it more often than ever, the workshop was a much needed one to arm the residents with knowledge of preliminary care. The session was highly productive & informative. It began with getting to know the first aid “must-knows” such as the ABC rule & CPR (Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation), bandage types & dressings that can be used to treat a broad array of injuries including wounds and bleeding, burns, poisonous bites (snakes, dogs, wasps, etc.), fractures & various emergencies.

The session, an eye-opener to many, busted some common myths such as splashing water on an unconscious person, using cold water on burns and sucking poison from snake bites. The key attraction was that all participants got to practice on a dummy & get hands-on-experience on dealing with extreme medical cases.

Last, but not the least, she cautioned the residents not to recommend or administer any medicine as the job of any first-aider is to provide immediate, lifesaving, medical care before the arrival of professional medical help.