Domestic workers learn CPR

Headed by South African Police Services trainer Penny Steyn, meetings focused on lessons that teach crime prevention and awareness of criminal activity, and attendees

were taught how to protect themselves as well as the household against criminals.

Jaydene Phillips from First Aid Counts, who has over eight years of experience in emergency services and offers certified professional first aid training to corporate companies, schools and domestic workers, focused on CPR and taught drowning prevention.

She explained that the majority of South African drownings happen to boys under three, mainly in swimming pools in Johannesburg. She also advised attendees to

empty buckets and turn them over in case rain water fills them, as babies can even drown in them. Most domestic workers and gardeners cannot swim, and for this reason Phillips taught them how to save someone without getting in the pool.

She highlighted the importance of making a noise to get the attention of your neighbours, and also to immediately call an ambulance for help.

She performed three steps of CPR on a dummy, and explained that knowing how to perform these can save a life. She started the procedure by telling members to first check for a visible chest rise or response when you tap the person. She then instructed the group to lock their hands and perform 30 chest compressions in the centre of the person’s chest, which must be done in a hard and fast pace.

Attendees practised their compressions on the church pews, and pumped until Phillips was happy with their performance.

Phillips said if there are any obstructions or water in the person’s airway, they must be turned on their sides and the obstruction removed. Then, she said, the person’s nose should be pinched shut and you breathe into their mouth until you see their chest rise. She emphasised the importance of continuing CPR until the ambulance arrives.

Phillips left attendees with the power to be confident in emergency situations.