Red Cross First Aid Competition 2005

19 Nov 2005

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts and Health

Venue: THE HDB HUB, TOA PAYOH

Dr Charles Johnson

Chairman, Medical Commission

Singapore Red Cross and

Chairman of the National First Aid Council

Distinguished Guests

Participants of the First Aid Competition

Ladies and gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to join you today for the Red Cross First Aid Competition. I am very happy to see many participants from the schools and the corporate sector. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the overseas observers from Hong Kong. 

Today's event is a collaborative effort of the National First Aid Council, St John Ambulance, Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore Red Cross and some private organizations to heighten awareness of the importance of first aid readiness. It also provides an excellent platform for people from various organizations to share and demonstrate their skills in a friendly competitive spirit and atmosphere. Simulated "real-life" situations add excitement to the competition. 

First aid is the initial assistance or treatment given to a person for any injury or sudden illness before the arrival of an ambulance, a doctor or other qualified person. People should be trained in first aid so that they have the confidence to respond in emergency situations with skills that can save lives.

The "golden hour" after injury is the first hour following injury that we should render whatever help we can give to the injured to help them survive their injuries. CPR skills may help to revive a person who has just collapsed. Helping to stop bleeding in an injured person may save his life. Immobilising fractures will help to relieve the pain suffered by the injured and prepare them for transfer to the hospital. Besides saving lives, first aid reduces the effects of injury or illness and promotes recovery.

The scenarios in the first aid competition reinforce what first aid can do to help prevent the loss of lives through timely action. It also tests one's ability to look out for potential danger. First aid readiness is the key towards a community that is prepared for disasters. It is timely that we have this competition at a time when we have been made acutely aware of terrorism and natural disasters around the world. We never know when a disaster may strike or when an accident may occur. I urge those who have not been trained in first aid to sign up for training with the Singapore Red Cross.

I commend the organizing committee and Singapore Red Cross for organizing this first aid competition. I would also like to thank the participants for their contributions in creating greater awareness of the importance of first aid and wish you a good time of learning and building up your network of contacts in this friendly competition. Thank you.