Dr. Pham Thai Ngoc Long and nurse Trinh Thien Thanh from the Emergency Department of Military Hospital 175 directly guided the artists and students of Thanh Son Secondary School in Tra Cu commune, Vinh Long province, on how to handle emergency situations. This activity took place on 10/3 as part of the "Donating 25 Book Libraries" program, celebrating VnExpress newspaper's 25th anniversary.

"Calmness is the critical factor when administering first aid to a victim", stated Dr. Long at the beginning of the session. He outlined a basic four-step procedure: assessing the environment, checking the victim's condition, calling for help, and placing the victim in the recovery position.

First, the rescuer must observe the surroundings to ensure the area is safe. Next, check the victim's condition by observing their chest for breathing, feeling for breath at the nose, and checking for a pulse at the neck or wrist. If the victim is breathing and their heart is beating but they do not respond to questions, quickly call for nearby assistance and contact emergency services. Placing the victim in the recovery position is an important step to maintain a clear airway and reduce the risk of choking or obstruction while waiting for medical personnel.

Singers Ho Dong Quan, LighT, SWAN (seated on the right) and students practice first aid in a simulated scenario of a person with a broken arm, guided by Dr. Pham Thai Ngoc Long (wearing a lab coat). Duc Dong

The schoolyard buzzed with excitement as the simulated practice began. Students cheered as the artists actively participated, role-playing as victims with broken arms and as "rescuers" practicing splinting and calling for an ambulance. Singer SWAN held a splint while LighT, holding a medical bandage, swiftly demonstrated the technique and instructed the young "colleagues": "Splint it like this; the doctor showed us, we need to immobilize it across two joints near the fracture".

According to Dr. Long, the important principle for splinting is to immobilize at least two joints near the fracture using cloth, bandages, or available materials. For example, if a forearm is broken, the splint must extend past the elbow and wrist joints. He cautioned that untrained individuals should not attempt to reset a bone. A fractured bone can be sharp like broken glass, and attempting to manipulate it could tear tendons or blood vessels, worsening the injury.

The artists participated in first aid practice and presented awards to outstanding students during the library handover ceremony, donated by the Hope Foundation - VnExpress to Thanh Son Secondary School in Tra Cu commune, Vinh Long province, on 10/3. Cong Khang - Trung Kien

Dr. Long also highlighted several harmful misconceptions in folk first aid. Individuals suspected of having a stroke—exhibiting symptoms such as unconsciousness, weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, difficulty speaking, or confusion—must be taken to the hospital as soon as possible, even if it means "dropping everything, even a meal, to go immediately". He advised against pricking fingertips for blood, acupuncture, or administering alcohol, lemon, or lemongrass.

In cases of snakebite, a common and dangerous first aid mistake is applying a tourniquet. According to the doctor, tying tightly above the wound can cause the affected body part to necrose more quickly. One should also not suck out venom by mouth, kill the snake to extract venom for application to the wound, or apply leaves, dirt, or tobacco residue. The correct treatment involves thoroughly washing the wound under running water, noting the snake's characteristics, and promptly transporting the victim to a hospital.

For nosebleeds, do not tilt the head backward; instead, sit leaning slightly forward, gently pinch both nostrils to stop the bleeding, and breathe steadily through the mouth. Applying ice to the forehead may also help. Furthermore, if someone falls and a fracture is suspected, the victim should remain still, avoiding any movement or being shaken.

Singer Ho Dong Quan reads a book in the library donated by VnExpress to Thanh Son Secondary School on 10/3. Duc Dong

After one hour of engaging and beneficial first aid practice, the singers performed several songs, interacting with the students. The program also featured singer Giana, Ssay Huynh, actor Lanh Thanh, and MC Kieu Truong (Top 5 Miss Tourism Vietnam 2022).

The library at Thanh Son Secondary School in Tra Cu commune, Vinh Long province, was established by the Hope Foundation – VnExpress as part of the "Open Knowledge Journey" project, commemorating the newspaper's 25th anniversary. This project donates 25 bookshelves to 25 disadvantaged schools, with each bookshelf containing over 1,000 books across various genres.

Thanh Son School's library boasts over 1,500 books and was converted from a classroom. It features a modern, open-space design with three types of seating arrangements, intended to support students' spinal health while reading. The library received collaborative support from: Nestle Vietnam, the Tam Anh General Hospital Medical Ecosystem – VNVC Immunization – ECO Pharmaceuticals, Thien Long Group, Hoa Sen Group, Kien Thuan Construction - Trading Company, and Cat Moc Group.

Le Phuong