First aid training in schools equips children with essential life skills, promotes a safer environment, and fosters a culture of care and responsibility. On September 4, 2024, at Morarji Desi Residential (MDR) School in Hirebettu, Udupi, the Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE, together with fifth semester BSc Nursing students, Conducted a First Aid awareness programme.

Chief guest Dr. Narasimha Nayak, Medical Officer, Hirebettu PHC, along with Dr Shashidhara Y.N., Professor and Head Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON, Mrs Sumangala, Staff Nurse, Hirebettu PHC, Mr. Krishnamurthy, Principal, and Mrs Prabhavathi, School Health Nurse, Morarji Desai Residential School, and Mr Amol Powar, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Community Health Nursing, MCON, inaugurated the programme Dr. Narasimha Nayak, the chief guest, spoke on the value of first aid and first aid for snakebites. He also talked about how to avoid getting bitten by a snake and how important it is to preserve our habitat. Dr. Shashidhara Y.N. emphasized the value of first aid in schools and emergency crisis management. The MCON students initiated the roleplay on several First Aid scenarios, such as fainting, epistaxis and convulsions, dog bites, fractures, spinal injuries, and CPR, under the guidance of Dr Shashidhara YN. This enabled the M.D.R. school students to become more aware of the significance of acting quickly in medical emergencies.

Mr. Krishnamurthy closed the event by saying that it was a very helpful program to handle emergencies in schools. This program was attended by 150 students from 8th, 9th, and 10th grades, and eight teachers participated in this event. The programme is aligned with SDG 3 good health and wellbeing and SDG 4 quality education.