First aid for when it matters

Knowing some basic first aid may help you save a life one day.

Penny Steyn, founder and co-ordinator of Making a Difference (Mad) Domestic Watch meetings, based her topic for her recent Parkview meeting on what to do in a medical emergency.

Domestic workers and gardeners welcomed guest speaker, Bheko Hlengwa to the meeting. Hlengwa is the marketing manager and trainer for St John’s Ambulance and he explained accident prevention, what to do in an emergency, accident management and basic first aid, and gave a demonstration on how to approach someone who may need medical assistance.

“The person in need should always see you approaching them, this way it will prevent them from turning to see who is coming. This is important as the injuries of the person may not be known and them turning themselves or their neck may injure them further,” explained Hlengwa.

He added that it was of vital importance for emergency numbers to be learnt so as not to waste time when help was needed. He advised that once an emergency call was answered, one should introduce themselves, clearly tell the operator the location of the emergency while giving them a nearby landmark if possible. The caller should give the operator a contact number and tell them the nature of the emergency.

“Only after you have given the operator all of these details should you hang up or once they tell you to do so. It is also advisable to go outside so you are visible to the emergency services. Then, if the person was on any medication, give this to the paramedics onscene.”

First aid brochures and booklets were handed out to all those in attendance.

“I really enjoyed the class because now I know what to do if there is a medical emergency, and knowing that I may be able to help someone else one day makes me happy,” said Shaaron Sibanda, a domestic worker.

Details: Penny Steyn 082 461 6968.