Emergency first aid knowledge and skills are a good idea for everyone. You never know when an emergency might arise. The person next to you could suffer an injury, the man across the street could have a heart attack, or the woman down the hall could become accidentally electrocuted. If you are knowledgeable of emergency first aid you could save a life. Also, if you've encouraged your family members and friends to learn emergency first aid procedures, the life saved could be your own.

Are you ready for an emergency? If a national or regional disaster strikes, do you know how you will respond? Think of the possibilities that we've seen in the news in the last few years and especially the past few months. September 11, 2001 terrorists struck in New York City and the District of Columbia. In July 2005, terrorists struck in London. Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and major parts of Mississippi and Alabama. Tornadoes strike every year in the Midwest. In Madrid, a bomb went off on a train, set by terrorists.

The tsunami that struck the Pacific Rim could be repeated. Earthquakes hit California, as do mudslides and fires. Disasters, both natural and man made are a fact of life, and depending on the government for help, as witnessed by the problems with Hurricane Katrina, is not the route a prepared person will go. When taking steps to be ready for disaster remember to have everyone possible in your family and group of friends and neighbors trained in emergency first aid.

How many lives were saved in London on 7/7 by people who knew how to take action to stop bleeding and treat shock? Figures are not available, but common sense says lives were saved. On 9/11 at the Pentagon, how many people were treated and helped through knowledge of emergency first aid?

Again, there were several treated with emergency first aid. Since the Pentagon was a military facility, most of the people there had emergency first aid training. At the World Trade Center first responders like firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical technicians often have had emergency first aid training. Having that knowledge will help them to save people's lives. You and your family should be prepared as well. Get trained in emergency first aid procedures, and you may just save a life, or many lives.