I Learnt First Aid, But Hesitated When It Mattered

You sign up for spin class, try out yoga or power through a HIIT session—all in the name of self-improvement. But what if the most important skill you can learn is not about getting fitter, but saving a life?

- Amrita Kaur

A few months ago, I saw someone sitting on the floor of a mall. She had just fainted and was visibly unwell. A small crowd gathered around, fanning her and throwing out suggestions. No one seemed to know what to do, including me.

Here's the kicker: I'm one of 47,583 people in Singapore certified in first aid, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use.

I had attended about 24 hours of training sessions in occupational first aid at the Singapore Red Cross Academy (SRCA) back in 2022. But at that moment, I just stood there frozen, having completely forgotten everything I learnt three years ago.

Instead of stepping up, I walked past, convincing myself someone else would handle it.

For days afterwards, I couldn't shake off the guilt. What was the point of that shiny certification if I couldn't even remember how to use what I had learnt?

I was impressed by 15-year-old Alva Wong, recently in the news for performing CPR when an elderly man collapsed outside Cedele bakery at Velocity @ Novena Square.

Despite doubting herself, the student at Raffles Girls' School managed to keep him alive until the paramedics arrived. That kind of courage is something we can all aspire towards.

When I opened up about my experience to family and friends, I discovered I wasn't alone. Many of them had, like me, taken first aid and CPR-AED courses in a fit of self-betterment at some point, and never bothered with a refresher.

We all knew it was an important skill to have and hone, but in the chaos of life, it had slipped through the cracks in terms of priorities.

And that is when it hit me. Learning first aid and CPR-AED isn't just a "good to have" skill, but possibly the most important thing you will ever learn.