American Red Cross Emphasizes Lifesaving Skills as Crucial Component of Disaster Preparedness
The American Red Cross is highlighting that effective disaster preparedness extends beyond simply assembling an emergency kit to include acquiring lifesaving skills. Dr. Matthew Levy, a veteran disaster medical responder and member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council, emphasizes that in critical moments during a disaster, bystanders are often the immediate source of care. He points out that professional help can be delayed due to impassable roads, power outages, and strained emergency services. Therefore, training in CPR, AED use, and First Aid is essential. These skills enable individuals to control severe bleeding, care for wounds, respond to allergic reactions, treat dehydration, identify heat-related illnesses, and assist with breathing difficulties, particularly those caused by wildfire smoke. The Red Cross stresses that while supplies are important for sustenance, trained individuals can save lives and prevent medical emergencies from escalating into tragedies.
