POLOKWANE – Whether it is a minor injury or something more serious like a fracture, Mitchell House’s first-aid team are always ready to assist.
The school’s occupational health and safety (OHS) coordinator Donovan Steyn said a need was identified to enhance their OHS capabilities by introducing first-aid training to teachers and learners alike.
In line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act No 85 of 1993, a service provider was brought on board to provide approved accredited first aid training which led to the establishment of Mitchell House’s first-aid team
As mentor, Steyn was appointed to coordinate the learners according to level one first-aid protocols in 2018 and the team has gone from strength to strength since.
The team are present at every school and sporting event and Steyn told the Polokwane Review that a first-aid team in schools is especially helpful as learners often get into accidents while playing sports or even doing activities that can need swift care in order to prevent things from escalating.
“First aid training promotes a sense of safety and makes sure that one will not become vulnerable to accidents and injuries. Besides saving an injured learner or teacher’s life, first-aid kits help make the recovery process faster and it also saves huge healthcare costs and prevents the likelihood of injury from getting worse while and if the learner or teacher may need further medical care and attention at the hospital.”
Steyn said the five aims of first aid is to preserve life, prevent injury from worsening, aid recovery, relieve pain and protect the unconscious.
