Families in Bahrain have been packing emergency kits amidst the regional crisis to ensure preparedness in case of injury.
An emergency kit is a curated collection of essential supplies, tools and medication stored together to help individuals and families survive for at least 72 hours during a disaster or crisis.
Since the Iranian attacks began on February 28, the Interior Ministry’s National Civil Protection Platform has released several public interest messages, including calling residents to build their own emergency kits. According to the advice, each kit must have seven to 14 days’ worth of supplies like water, personal hygiene products, medicines and cash.
“I gathered a few things available at home to build my ‘small box of care’,” Indian expatriate Anju Kapoor told the GDN.
“It has an antiseptic, cotton pads, scissors, medical tape, pain relief tablets and even a thermometer. Preparedness is an act of love for your close ones,” added the 54-year-old visual artist.
“Since we might need to evacuate at any time, I made sure that my dog and cat are fully vaccinated according to the travel immunisation requirement for pets. Their medical records are up to date on my phone for easy access. I have pet carriers ready as well.”
Meanwhile 34-year-old homemaker Minu Jithin from Gufool, who has a child aged five, has included medicines, band aid and alcoholic wipes to her pouch.
“I felt nervous seeing how things were going so, I decided to be ready. Our bags are packed in case we need to leave quickly,” she said.
Filipino expatriate Nanju Francisco from Juffair also built an emergency kit after she had to go through an ordeal following the first attack on the US Navy Base, close to where she lives. “We decided to stay indoors to avoid injury from the strikes or falling debris but ended up running out of food and supplies during the first three days. Thankfully the Philippines Embassy stocked us up,” said the 59-year-old.
Ms Francisco highlighted that an equally important part about preparedness is possessing basic knowledge about how to act in case of emergencies.
“Having accessible resources is a simple but critical layer of defence. That said, I firmly believe that a tool is only as effective as the hands using it,” she added.
Bahrain-based nurse Jude Castillo explained that having the knowledge allows us to respond quickly and provide immediate assistance before medical help arrives.
“It is important to have presence of mind, calmness and confidence when dealing with emergencies. A person who remains calm can assess the situation properly, make correct decisions and provide necessary help without causing further harm.
“It is essential for individuals to learn first aid and develop the ability to stay composed during unexpected situations,” added the 55-year-old medical professional.
Royal Life Saving Bahrain (RLS) general manager Sam Rahman concurred.
“When someone has an accident or is injured, the first few minutes after an incident are critical. The person closest to the emergency is often the one who makes the difference,” Mr Rahman said.
First aid is the immediate, temporary care given to an ill or injured person before professional medical assistance arrives.
RLS Bahrain is the kingdom’s first water safety and drowning prevention organisation launched in 2016. It has since been saving lives along the island’s coastline, in addition to educating the public on safety measures.
RLS Bahrain supplies professionally-designed first aid kits tailored for different environments, including homes and offices. “Many items inside the kit, such as sterile dressings, antiseptic wipes and medications, have a limited shelf life so, we recommend that organisations and households check their kits at least once-a-year and replace expired or used items,” he added.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))