First 10 Minutes Can Save Lives: Ramaiah Hospital Trains 100+ First Responders
Bengaluru, October 17, 2026: The first few minutes after a road accident can make the difference between life and death. Emphasising the importance of timely and appropriate emergency care, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH) trained more than 100 first responders in essential trauma-management skills as part of its World Trauma Day initiative on Friday.
The hands-on training programme, titled ‘BE FIRST – Basic Emergency First-aid Integrated Responder Skill Training’, focused on the critical role of first responders during the Platinum 10 Minutes—the crucial period immediately following a traumatic injury when prompt intervention can improve a victim’s chances of survival.
Nearly 18% of the 3,340 road accidents reported in Bengaluru between January and July 2026 were classified as fatal, underlining the need for better emergency preparedness and timely assistance at accident sites.
Organised under the theme ‘Building a Safer Future with Trauma Care’, the programme brought together police and traffic police personnel, Home Guards, Red Cross volunteers, NCC cadets, and Fire and Emergency Services personnel. The initiative aimed to equip them with practical knowledge to provide appropriate assistance before professional medical teams arrive.
The training covered essential first-response techniques, including assessing the nature of injuries, controlling bleeding, applying bandages and splints, handling head injuries, safely shifting injured persons and removing helmets without causing further harm.
Through practical demonstrations and hands-on sessions, participants learnt how to respond more effectively to trauma emergencies while prioritising the safety of the injured person.
Dr. P.R.S. Chetan, recipient of the Gallantry Shaurya Medal and Officer Commanding (Headquarters and Operations) and State Nodal Officer, Civil Defence, Office of the Director General of Police, attended the programme as the chief guest. Dr. Rajesh M.S., Member of the Managing Committee of the Indian Red Cross Society, Bengaluru Urban District, and CEO of the National Association for the Blind, Karnataka, was the guest of honour. Senior hospital officials and medical experts were also present.
Dr. Aruna C. Ramesh, Head of the Department and Senior Consultant, Emergency Medicine, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, led the clinical training sessions alongside the hospital’s medical team.
Dr. Madan S. Gaekwad, Chief Operating Officer of Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, said trauma care begins long before a patient reaches the emergency department. The actions taken at the scene during the initial minutes can significantly influence the subsequent course of treatment.
He said the ‘BE FIRST’ initiative was designed to take essential emergency-response knowledge beyond hospital walls and strengthen the preparedness of people likely to reach accident victims first. The hospital aims to promote a more informed and prepared community, where timely assistance helps patients access definitive medical care.
Dr. Aruna C. Ramesh stressed that responding quickly must go hand in hand with responding correctly. She said basic skills such as controlling bleeding, dressing wounds, moving injured persons safely and handling helmet removal require proper knowledge and practical training.
The programme aimed to prepare first responders to provide safe and appropriate assistance until trained medical professionals take over.
Through the initiative, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening community-level trauma preparedness and promoting responsible first response, highlighting that saving a life often begins with the right action at the right time.
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