Little Guides learn life-saving first aid skills
What would you do if your clothes caught fire? Would you know what to do if someone was bleeding or needed an ambulance?
The 1st Brownie Boksburg Girl Guides, a group of spirited girls aged seven to 11, explored key questions during their meeting on October 26, when their leader, Colleen Walker, led a lesson on basic first aid and emergency safety.
The session wasn’t just about learning what to do when accidents happen, but also about responding calmly and safely when someone needs help.
Colleen started with a simple but potentially life-saving lesson: “What to do when your clothes catch fire.”
“Remember, stop, drop and roll. Do not run around. Stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face and roll until the flames are out,” she explained.
The girls also learnt that fire needs oxygen to keep burning, with Colleen explaining that covering a small, manageable fire can help cut off its oxygen supply.
However, she stressed the importance of staying safe and getting help from an adult rather than attempting to fight a dangerous fire themselves.
But fire safety was only one part of the discussion.
The girls were reminded that sensible choices at home can prevent accidents.
“Do not use the stove or kettle without supervision. It is always better to ask an adult for help than to put yourself in danger.”
The conversation then moved to what happens when someone needs medical attention.
“Would you girls know who to call? More importantly, would you know what to do while waiting for help to arrive?”
Colleen taught them how to contact emergency services and which numbers to dial when an ambulance is needed.
They also discussed how to respond when someone is bleeding.
“If someone is bleeding, your first priority is to protect yourself. Put on gloves before helping, then apply firm, gentle pressure over the wound using a clean dressing or gauze to help stop the bleeding,” their leader explained.
Through these practical lessons, the girls were encouraged to understand that first aid is not about putting themselves in danger or trying to do everything themselves.
It is about knowing what steps to take, keeping calm and getting the right help when an emergency happens.
“Lessons like these are an important part of what Girl Guides is all about: equipping young girls with knowledge and skills they can use beyond their meetings.
“Girl Guides are encouraged to learn about the diversity and challenges of the world around them.”
Get involved with Guiding and be part of an exciting journey of learning, friendship, adventure and personal growth every Monday at the Guide hall, 116 Southvale Road, Parkdene, from 17:00 to 18:30.
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