I read the article regarding the man who died at Lime Lite and I would like to bring attention to the first aiders who were on the scene.
First aiders are volunteers. We do and pay for the courses because we want to help people. And, the courses are valid for a year only, so we do the additional courses to keep up to date with the latest procedures.
We then go and buy our kits. No one buys them for us and its not part of the course. Gloves are incredibly expensive. So are bandages, gauze, antiseptics and plasters. No one pays us for helping. No one replaces our stock.
We do all this because we want to help people. We want to help our community and do our part for the people around us.
No one says thank you and we don’t expect it. Most of the time, when the paramedics arrive, we leave. We don’t leave our details and hope someone will phone and thank us. We do it knowing that we are doing the best we can with limited resources – and often in dangerous situations. And we sometimes go home crying from the sheer stress, emotional trauma and worry.
The two first aiders who attended the scene also are CPF members. In my eyes, that makes them absolutely selfless heroes who are trying desperately to help and protect the community they live in.
The only way to help someone who has no pulse is CPR. We don’t have equipment; and the rule of thumb for first aid is ‘Life over Limb’.
They were trying to save his life. Whether his ribs were broken or not, they did the right thing. And the owner has no right to criticise the first-aid procedures as she was not there.
My condolences and prayers go out to the family and the first aiders on scene. And thank you for trying so hard to help Allen Eksteen.
