DCF members learn first-aid
Patrollers from the Discovery Community Forum attended an insightful first-aid training session.
The Discovery Community Forum (DCF) held yet another basic first-aid training session for community members and patrollers on October 19.
The event was well attended and covered a variety of first aid procedures and scenarios, in which the community or patrollers are frequently first on the scene.
The presentation was handled by a senior clinical lecturer in emergency medicine at Wits, Martin Botha and covered a wide range of topics, using attendees – often with hilarious results – to play victims and responders.
“Even though some of the scenarios acted out were funny, this training is no joke,” says DCF member Isabel Gomes. “The actions of first responders at scenes very often determine whether a patient lives or dies.
“We are extremely grateful to Martin for his excellent presentation in which we all learned so many valuable skills and techniques that will no doubt make us more efficient and at the same time keep us safe when we encounter scenes.”
The class consisted of an understanding of basic first aid equipment, responder safety and procedures, adult CPR techniques, the correct use of ventilation pocket face masks, infant CPR techniques and considerations, choking and the Heimlich Manoeuvre in adults and infants.
Other topics covered include the evacuation of patients from potentially dangerous situations, using canvas stretchers with neck stabilisation techniques, The Fireman Carry technique, the two-person Seat Carry technique, safely removing a patient from a vehicle, arterial bleeding and tourniquet applications, and wound packing and compression techniques.
“This training is bound to prove invaluable to our members,” she concludes.
