BLACKHEATH – On Northcliff High School’s sports field, a C-spine injury leader and level three first aid is the highest level for a first aider.
Katlego Molatlhegi, led four other level two and three Grade 12s in a mock spinal injury treatment. Mahlaba Mkhatshane bravely took on the role of the victim.
Molatlhegi demonstrated that placing a person with such an injury onto the spinal board, takes under two minutes. The victim should also be extremely secure. Demonstrating this, Mkhatshane, who was strapped in, was turned upside down and remained on the board.
The team showed real admiration and respect for first aid. Molatlhegi, leading the team in treating spinal injuries, did not hesitate to give instructions
Master in charge for first aid, Hayley Gibson said that when the students train in first aid, they also learn immense team building and organisational skills.
“If I’m not here, I know the school will be okay,” she said.
Gibson leads the team she was once the captain of when she was a pupil of Northcliff High School. About 35-strong, including Grade 8s, the first aiders are visible at every rugby, hockey, cricket, swimming or other sports events.
The pupils go through intensive training, moving up from level one to two and finally level three. Some decide to take on advanced life support, privately.
From sporty to artsy schoolchildren, everyone is welcome and can excel in the first aid team.
The discipline will also help them get into medicine or nursing, the higher the level. The youngsters can even log the hours they serve toward community service.
Gibson said that although the first aiders are trained well, some injuries would require an ambulance. “We need to check the severity of the injuries. If necessary, we will call a paramedic,” she said.
From epileptic seizures to concussions and spinal injuries, the team is trained to know how to deal with it. Their skills often come in handy. Gibson gave the example of six spinal injuries in one match where the team was hard at work. “They work well together and they are dedicated,” she said.
But so are other schools. Gibson said first aid is very competitive amongst schools.
“They are very proud of their field; we do, however, try and work well together as far as possible because it is all for a greater cause,” she said.
Grade 8s can try out for the first aid team and if they enjoy it, training, which is usually done by Emergency Care Training at the school, begins in March.
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