Legend medic brings serious message to festive February 21 Club luncheon
The food was great and the mood festive but the message put across by ‘Toti legend paramedic’, Chris Botha was serious.
TRADITIONAL hearts and roses, chocolates and strawberries celebrated St Valentines at 21 Club’s February luncheon.
The food was great and the mood festive but the message put across by ‘Toti legend paramedic’, Chris Botha was serious.
His extraordinary ability to keep the audience focused, together with his sense of humour allowed him to share his knowledge and experience with a most appreciative audience.
Chris started in the emergency services with the fire department 43 years ago and then established the first ambulance service known as Toti Paramedics. Some 22 years ago he left the fire service and set up the first private ambulance service in Natal, Intensi Care. One year later it was bought out by Netcare 911 who employed Chris for the next 20 years.
After taking early retirement in 2017, Kingsway High School procured Chris’s services. This is the first school to have a full-time registered paramedic on the premises, an enviable asset and a smart move by the school. He runs their medical room and has a first aid training centre where teachers and students have been trained and where training is available to the public at an affordable rate.
Injured and sick pupils get the best possible treatment and advice and Chris is on hand at sporting events.
Members were fascinated to hear Chris was part of a South African team of paramedics who achieved a silver medal in an international competition in Canada some years ago.
It would be impossible to list all the wisdom Chris shared but he did emphasise the danger of giving incorrect treatment in an emergency.
Members remember particularly:
- Run cold tap water over burns – no ice, butter, cream or plaster. CPR incorrectly administered can do more harm than good.
- An elderly person who has fallen should not be moved until assessed. Use cold compresses on sprained ligaments – then heat.
- Stop fire caused by oil catching alight in a pot by putting the lid on.
- Lose the scatter mats – the cause of many falls among the elderly.
A great tribute to Chris is the fact that he has found his chosen career so rewarding that it has inspired both his sons to follow in his footsteps.
Many thanks to Chris for a memorable and informative talk. Chris has promised to provide a list of items that the elderly should have in their first aid box.
The club’s thoughts and prayers are with members who are not well.
Babs de Klerk was congratulated on her 70th birthday and Cynthia de Lange on their 43rd wedding anniversary.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday, 27 March: 21 Club’s St Patrick’s luncheon at Lords and Legends conference room at noon for 12.30pm. Wear green or at least a touch of green for the Irish. The club will be hosting Margie Hattingh of Body Action Gym for seniors. Confirmation to attend or not must be received by the relevant committee member by Friday, 22 March. Guests, who must be invited by a member, can only be accommodated if there is space.
Remember to take a grocery item for Lions Kingsburgh.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
