Proper knowledge in dealing with emergencies vital: Official

MANY things people do in a medical emergency are wrong, leading to further injuries or even death hence there is a need for more basic first aid training in the communities, an official says.
St John Ambulance (SJA) first aid in schools programme coordinator Zoe Saulep said pouring water on a person who fainted, laying an unconscious person face-up and transporting to the hospital or wiping off the snake’s venom were examples of the wrong things people continued to do because of a lack of information on the proper steps to take in emergency situations.
“For instance, in the case of snake bites it takes five minutes for the venom to reach the brain and the lifesaving bandaging should be done within that time,” she said.
“Immediate intervention by those trained in first aid has been proven to reduce disability, length of stay in the hospital or death.”
Saulep said basic first aid knowledge was important as it saved lives therefore SJA with the support of the Sir Brian Bell Foundation was taking the training into schools and communities.
She said the training covered a range of topics, including childbirth, snake bite, drowning, basic infection control and chocking were delivered free to more than 2,000 Grade 9 students in five schools in the National Capital District.
Saulep said Grade 9 were the target audience because in a year’s time they would continue to Grade 11, drop out of school or find employment so they take the knowledge with them.
SJA chief executive officer Mathew Cannon said the school programme was extended to East New Britain.
He said SJA delivered free outreach awareness to five villages in the NCD.
He said 2,098 people had graduated with commercial first aid qualifications.
SJA hosted a media ambulance open day on Friday.