REPORT ON WORLD FIRST AID DAY 2026: AWARENESS PROGRAM

In observance of World First Aid Day 2026, the fifth-semester BSc Nursing students of Manipal College of Nursing (MCON), MAHE, Manipal, in collaboration with the Department of Community Health Nursing and NSS unit of MCON, organized a first-aid awareness program at St. Lawrence English Medium School, Moodubelle. The program was held on 7 September 2026 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. as part of the students’ community health nursing clinical program.

The program was organized in alignment with the theme, “First Aid in Migration Contexts.” The beneficiaries included 58 Grade IX students, two school teachers, and the Headmistress. The program was coordinated by Mr. Amol Powar, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON. Ms. Ann Sara Mathew and Ms. Vinisha, fifth-semester BSc Nursing students, served as the Masters of the Ceremony. Dr. Vinish V., Assistant Professor–Senior Scale, Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON, served as the resource person.

The program commenced with an informative session on the principles of first aid and the management of common emergencies. The nursing students conducted role-plays and demonstrations on the first-aid management of dog bites, snake bites, falls, fractures, and fainting. These activities provided school students with practical knowledge and helped them understand the appropriate measures to take in emergency situations.

Ms. Sneha delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation on emergency management, emphasizing the importance of providing prompt and appropriate first aid. This was followed by a demonstration of the correct hand-hygiene technique and an explanation of its importance in preventing infections and promoting good health. The school students actively participated in the session and demonstrated the correct steps of hand hygiene.

Dr. Vinish V. conducted a practical demonstration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The demonstration helped the students understand the basic steps for providing immediate assistance to someone experiencing a cardiac emergency.

To assess and reinforce the students’ knowledge, Ms. Alvina conducted an interactive quiz competition. The students participated enthusiastically, and prizes were awarded to the winners. The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Prathiksha, who expressed gratitude to the school authorities, Headmistress, teachers, students, resource person, faculty members, and nursing students for their valuable contributions to the successful conduct of the program.

At the end of the program, feedback forms were distributed to the school students to obtain their responses and assess their experiences regarding the awareness session. The program contributed to the following Sustainable Development Goals - 3: Good Health and Well-being; 4: Quality Education; 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The program provided school students with essential knowledge and practical skills related to first aid, emergency management, hand hygiene, and CPR. The demonstrations, role-plays, and quiz competition encouraged active participation and enhanced students’ confidence in responding appropriately to common emergency situations. The objectives of the program were successfully achieved, and the session served as a valuable community health education initiative.