Mediclinic Sandton offers free CPR training
A local healthcare initiative aims to strip away the fear of emergency response through free practical training and AED demonstrations.
A few minutes of action can mean the difference between life and death, and Mediclinic Sandton is encouraging community members to overcome their fear of performing CPR.
The hospital hosted free practical CPR training on October 16 to mark World Restart a Heart Day, joining a worldwide movement aimed at equipping ordinary people with the confidence to respond when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
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EPIC Emergency Medicine director of education Allen Lachenicht said the goal was to teach as many people as possible the basics of hands-only CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
“It’s a worldwide movement to try and get as many people engaging with early recognition and starting CPR as soon as possible, and then also lowering the barrier and the fear around using an AED,” he said.
Lachenicht explained that performing CPR was not difficult, but it could be emotionally challenging when faced with a real emergency. He said the first step when approaching a person who may have collapsed is to ensure the scene is safe before checking whether the person responds by tapping and shouting.
“If the patient doesn’t respond, call for help and make sure that an AED is coming, and then we’re going to start CPR.”
He emphasised that chest compressions should be at about 110 beats per minute, while allowing the chest to rise to the top in between compressions.
Lachenicht urged people to do hands-only CPR to prevent long pauses in resuscitation. “For lay people, you can do hands-only CPR if help is going to arrive within the next 10 minutes. If it takes too long, then we do have to think about how we can do mouth-to-mouth, but with appropriate protective equipment such as a mask or barrier device.”
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He said CPR should continue until help arrives, adding that performing resuscitation could take an emotional toll and advising individuals to seek therapy.
Mediclinic Sandton client experience manager Ansju Blackbeard said the initiative was an opportunity to help people understand that they could make a difference during a medical emergency.
“It is this initiative where we try to assist and show people how to do on-the-spot CPR so that as many people as possible can be aware and be trained, because you never know when you’re in that situation where you have to help somebody,” she said.
Blackbeard also highlighted the hospital’s appreciation for emergency medical services personnel, including ambulance and paramedic staff, who respond to stressful and often demanding situations.
The South African National Blood Service joined the event to promote blood donation and offer visitors blood-group screenings.
Children were also welcomed through mini-paramedic activities designed to familiarise them with medical professionals and help reduce anxiety around healthcare settings.
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