First, aid the people and then blame fate

BANGALORE: Accidents are always envisaged as a scene a bedlam.Sirens blaring, blood spluttered and cries of agony enveloping the air are images that are etched in a survivor’s mind forever.The howls for help, for just someone to ease the pain or to do absolutely anything to make you feel secure again and the appreciation for life in that heartbeat is never more pronounced.A first aid kit with the trademark red cross seems to always escape the scene.An accident is invariably followed by a ‘if only....’, and if one chooses to ponder carefully over the events of the day, they always regret the absence of a first aid kit or a person who could render first aid.As the world readies itself to celebrate ‘World First Aid Day’ this year, City Express does a check on the importance of a first aid kit in an accident scene and how well public transport in the city is equipped in case of emergencies.First aid is the basic care that is provided to a person who has just been in an accident.It generally comprises a manual, instructing the person on how to conduct first aid and required medical supplies such as bandages, gauze pads, antibiotics, a splint and painkillers.Doctors say that it is justified that it has been called a ‘life saver’ as it has in its power to do exactly that.People’s ignorance about the administration of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the prevention of bleeding is appalling, they say.A N Venkatesh, HOD, Department of Emergency Medicines at Apollo hospital, says, “First aid, I can guarantee, saves lives.The disregard with which people at an accident look on without doing anything not realising the fact that they can save a life is disappointing.Creating awareness among the people is very important in today’s world.” Public transport is generally considered to be the most popular form of transport in the city.But the number of accidents are, by no account, less.With over 3,975 people injured or dead from the beginning of the year until August in the city, it would not be presumptuous for one to assume that the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses have more of a necessity than a need to be equipped with first aid kits.But hope is a falling virtue, and when we took a look at the BMTC buses across the city, we found that most of them lack first aid boxes and even if they are present, they are empty.‘In spite of the minor injuries sustained by many on an everyday basis, the fact that a wounded commuter cannot get indispensable help is surprising’, voice commuters.A BMTC conductor, on the condition of anonymity, said, “We used to have the kit installed in the buses.But now with bus depots being provided with clinics to tend to minor accidents, one does not see the point of having a first aid kit anymore.Added to that, as they are used only once-in-a-blue-moon, and they end up rusting after just a few weeks.” Ashima, a bus commuter at the Shivajinagar Bus Station, voiced her flak for this attitude of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).She asserted, “In case of an accident, what is an injured person supposed to do? Infact, they should be looking at training the bus drivers and conductors in first aid.” Narayanaswamy, one of the BMTC managers at the Shivajinagar Bus Station said, “Almost all buses in the city are provided with a first aid box stocked with basic supplies.We also train our drivers and conductors to work with first aid.” But the reality is that most JnNURM and Big 10 buses lack these boxes.Two wheelers, on the other hand, are in a better condition than the buses.Most of them use the space provided under the seat to place their first aid kits in case of a mishap.“I always carry a first aid box in the glove compartment of my car and also in my bike,” says Shiva, a resident of Bangalore.With the upcoming ‘Namma Metro’, every station will be dispensed with a first aid kit, a stretcher and a wheelchair.The railways have an on-duty doctor designated to deal with an unfortunate incident inside the train on a journey.The plight of the autos are probably the worst as they have no facilities whatsoever to deal with a situation.Anyone can save a life with just a bit of compassion and a little knowledge of first aid.As accidents in the city increase with each passing day, the choice to do your part lies in your hands