THE EMS Firefighter Challenge took off with a bang on October 18 at The Glen Shopping Centre.
Netcare 911 together with Trauma Society of South Africa (TSSA) and The Glen hosted the firefighter challenge in efforts to support local heroes on World Trauma Day, which was officially on October 17.
Netcare Mulbarton Hospital officials were also at the event showing support. The hospital’s manager, Nellie Koen, was there enjoying the day’s events.
The event started at 08:00 to 17:00 and had great attendance of spectators throughout the day.
Crowds consisting of health and safety professionals and the general public gathered on the rooftop to enjoy the face-off between the red and blue EMS firefighter groups.
Staying impartial, the crowd showed support to both groups and celebrated each group’s victories in challenges.
On October 17, Netcare Mulbarton Hospital, also other Netcare hospitals countrywide participated in commemorating World Trauma Day by demonstrating basic CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) procedures. The theme was Save a life with Netcare by learning how to do CPR.
Some facts on the danger of trauma-related injuries and complications are cause for concern. The main worry for Netcare and Trauma Society of South Africa was that not many people knew what to do when faced with medical emergencies such as when a person went into cardiac arrest or stopped breathing.
According to TSSA, road accidents are by far the biggest cause of traumatic injuries sustained by South Africans.
Trauma surgeon and president of Trauma SA, Dr Timothy Hardcastle, commented on an article on World Trauma Day on their website www.traumasa.co.za: “Statistics released by the Department of Transport at the end of May 2013 reveal that as many as 28 in 100 000 people die as a result of road fatalities, making the mortality rate of South African road users the highest in the world. At R206 billion per annum even the financial burden of road fatalities is a high cost to bear for a developing nation.”
Knowing how to act during critical moments is of utmost importance as it could mean the difference between life and death.
That is why these two institutions undertook to make a difference by teaching South Africans how to save a life.
Some facts on CPR: A patient who does not breathe is considered not to have a heartbeat, therefore checking the pulse is no longer endorsed. Immediate CPR is needed should a person have cardiac arrest, however, the aider must first administer chest compressions to supply the brain with immediate oxygen. CPR rhythms have to remain unchanged; 30 chest compressions and two artificial ventilations.
