First Aid Training
Written by Claire Schnackenberg
Our Education Outreach Officers joined a one day First Aid Training course to be better equipped when visiting remote villages. “Very exciting, I learnt a lot like how to help others. We are number 1!” Veasna says.
The program outlined some major core ideas of First Aid. By starting with the main attributes of a ‘First Aider’ the team learned how to act in an emergency situation. Focusing on being professional and courteous to anyone in trouble and taking into account different cultural values, the team looked at legal considerations to take into account when treating someone. Most importantly, the program focused on getting the patient to a hospital or to call an ambulance when faced with injuries they were unable or unsure of how to treat.After learning about how to act in an ethical and professional way when treating people, the program moved on to explaining how the body works. Our EOO’s learnt about different body systems and how they work, such as the lungs, the heart and how blood travels through the body. They were also taught how the respiratory systems, the lymphatic system and muscle systems function.Staying safe while treating people is one of the most important points our EOO’s discussed. They learnt how to assess any hazards at the scene. The main dangers that were discussed were broken glass, drug use, infectious diseases, snakes, animals and potentially violent people at the scene.The program discussed four main guidelines to follow. The first was to speak to the person and make yourself known, then to assess any safety problems. After assessing the patient, our EOO’s were taught how to clear airways and put the patient in the recovery position if required. The main problems that could affect breathing are the position of the neck or any obstructions in the airway. The team practiced repositioning the head or using the Heimlich manoeuvre to clear the airway. The team learnt how to administer CPR then a patient isn’t breathing and how to use a defibrillator in the case of an irregular heartbeat.
After a lunch of ginger chicken rice and traditional Australian lamingtons, the group started looking at some of the main injuries they would be using their First Aid skills for. Rameth is excited to share his knew skills with others, “it’ll be great to share this knowledge with villagers, especially with problems like family violence,” he said.Burns, including sunburn and how to treat them was the first item on the agenda after lunch. They then discussed the effects of substance abuse and how to keep yourself safe against people who may be aggressive on drugs. The program then covered allergic reactions and how to treat asthma. The team saw what happens during a stroke and a seizure through demonstration videos and learnt what to do in that situation. Different scenarios were shown to help the team learn how to act in dangerous and unpredictable scenarios.One particular favourite with our EOO’s was learning about how to treat snake bites. “I learnt a lot from his course, if something happens I can help others, like snake bite information about poison,” said Sophy, “the teacher was very nice, I’m 5 months pregnant so thought I might fall asleep, but I learnt so much.”The EOOs all had a great time and were full of positive feedback after finishing the course. Choy is looking forward to putting his new skills to work, “good experience to learn a subject that I can help others and save a life.”
A big thank you to Jeremy and Kellyhttps://www.seraiahcambodia.com