Over 200 participants receive practical training in CPR, bleeding control, burns, fractures and emergency response
KURUKSHETRA | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
Kurukshetra University organised a one-day first-aid training camp on the occasion of World First Aid Day under the guidance of Vice-Chancellor Prof Som Nath Sachdeva, with more than 200 teachers, non-teaching employees, students and Youth Red Cross volunteers participating in the programme. The initiative focused on equipping participants with practical emergency-response skills that can prove crucial in saving lives before professional medical assistance becomes available.
The programme was attended by University Registrar Prof Lieutenant Virendra Pal as the chief guest. Highlighting the humanitarian role of the Red Cross, he said the organisation was not merely an institution but a living symbol of service to humanity. He emphasised that basic first-aid knowledge can become critically important during an emergency, particularly when immediate medical assistance may not be available.
Practical First-Aid Skills Highlighted
Prof Virendra Pal underlined the practical importance of first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by sharing an example involving a soldier who suffered a sudden heart attack while running. According to him, the soldier’s life was saved because a person present at the scene immediately administered CPR. He said such incidents demonstrate how timely intervention and practical knowledge of emergency care can make a decisive difference in critical situations.
He said awareness of first aid should extend beyond medical professionals and become a useful life skill among ordinary citizens. People trained in basic emergency response can provide immediate assistance to an injured or unconscious person while arranging professional medical help.
Ramesh Chaudhary, Secretary of the District Red Cross Society, Kurukshetra, was the keynote speaker at the programme. He appreciated the humanitarian activities undertaken by the Youth Red Cross at Kurukshetra University and said such initiatives help strengthen the spirit of service among young people.
Chaudhary said first-aid training programmes have a dual purpose: they develop a sense of social responsibility among students and prepare them to respond effectively during accidents and other emergencies. He encouraged participants to take the practical lessons seriously and share their knowledge with others so that more people can respond appropriately when emergencies occur.
District Training Officer Anju of the District Red Cross Society conducted the practical first-aid training session. Participants were briefed on several basic emergency procedures, beginning with the importance of assessing a situation and ensuring that an injured person is moved to a safe location whenever necessary.
The participants were advised to immediately alert an ambulance or appropriate emergency medical service and provide suitable assistance while waiting for professional help. They were also taught how to place an unconscious but breathing person in the recovery position and how to check breathing in an emergency.
A practical demonstration of CPR was also conducted during the training. Participants were familiarised with the basic technique and its role in responding to a person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. The demonstration was aimed at giving participants greater confidence in responding to life-threatening emergencies.
The training also covered bleeding control. Participants were shown how clean cloth or suitable dressing material can be used to apply pressure to a bleeding wound to help control blood loss until medical assistance is available.
Guidance was also provided on first-aid measures for burns. Participants were told about the appropriate use of cool running water as an immediate measure for a burn injury. The session further covered basic management of suspected fractures, including keeping the affected body part stable and avoiding unnecessary movement.
Anju encouraged participants to keep a properly stocked first-aid box at home, in offices and in vehicles. She said ready access to basic first-aid supplies can be useful when dealing with minor injuries as well as while providing initial assistance during emergencies.
Youth Red Cross Programme Coordinator Prof D.S. Rana also addressed the participants and explained the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross movement: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Prof Rana said these principles provide a foundation for humanitarian service and social responsibility. He also informed the gathering that first-aid boxes were being made available in various departments of the university to strengthen emergency preparedness across the campus.
As part of the initiative, first-aid boxes were provided to different university departments. Alongside the first-aid supplies, sanitary napkins were also distributed to facilitate emergency needs among female students. The organisers said packets were being made available in departments as required, while women teachers, employees and students were also provided packets individually.
The provision of these facilities was aimed at making basic emergency and personal-care support more accessible within the university environment. The initiative reflected the organisers’ emphasis on creating a campus where students and staff can access essential assistance when required.
Teachers, non-teaching employees, students and Youth Red Cross volunteers participated enthusiastically in the training camp. The participation of more than 200 people reflected significant interest in acquiring practical emergency-care skills and promoting a culture of preparedness across the university community.
Dean Students’ Welfare Prof A.R. Chaudhary, Prof G.P. Dubey, Dr Amit Kumar, Prof Nirupama Bhatti, Dr Divij, Dr Amita Mittal, Sports Department coach Rajesh and boxing coach Rajesh were among those present. Chairpersons of various university departments, teachers, employees and a large number of Youth Red Cross volunteers also attended the programme.
The programme emphasised that first aid is not simply a medical skill but an important component of community preparedness. In an accident, cardiac emergency, injury, burn or other critical situation, the availability of a trained person at the scene can help bridge the gap between the occurrence of an emergency and the arrival of professional medical assistance.
Vice-Chancellor Prof Som Nath Sachdeva congratulated the organisers, participants and all those associated with the successful conduct of the World First Aid Day programme. In his message, he said Kurukshetra University would continue organising such initiatives in the future, particularly programmes that contribute to humanitarian service and social welfare.
The university said continued first-aid awareness and practical training would help create a more prepared and socially responsible campus community. The programme concluded with an emphasis on encouraging more students and staff members to acquire first-aid skills and use them responsibly when required.
POD/DESK
