11 May 2015
Eden District Municipalities’ Joint Operations Centre (JOC) housed a few ‘operations’ of its own last week. Ten (10) Eden DM employees gathered at the JOC to attend a week of comprehensive first aid level 3 training, conducted by disaster management volunteer, Ms Cindy Bezuidenhout.
The week long programme, which took place from 4-8 May 2015, introduced trainees to a variety of life-saving skills, ranging from wound care to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, more commonly known as CPR. Ms Bezuidenhout guided each trainee to the rhythm and beat of Bee Gee’s anthem, “Staying Alive”, when practicing CPR on an injured individual – the song’s title happens to be quite suited to the act of bringing someone back to life.
Disaster Management Officer, Mr Wouter Jacobz, comments that: “First aid training is not just a prerequisite of working in an emergency services unit; it is also our duty as members of society to equip ourselves to care for each other”. The training was part and parcel of promoting health and safety in the workplace, and also creating awareness regarding the fundamental value of first aid.
First Aid Level 1
This course covers all first aid essentials, and is the benchmark of first aid. It is also a company requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, OHSA 1993.
The course covers – adult and child CPR & choking, emergency scene management & safety, wounds, bleeding, burns, shock, vital signs, unconsciousness, fainting, fractures, bandaging, splinting, head & spinal Injuries, impaled objects, vital signs, electrocution, patient history, basic bites & stings, poisonings.
First Aid Level 2
This intermediate course covers the essentials of first aid in more detail. The extra theoretical and practical training enables students to improve their care of an injured person.
The course covers – Two person adult & child CPR, infant CPR, multiple injury management, drowning, asthma, heart attacks & chest pain, epilepsy, strokes, seizures, temperature emergencies, rescue carries, snake bites, problem solving scenarios, chest injuries, cardio-pulmonary system and Level 1 content.
First Aid Level 3
Level 1 and 2 Revision | |
Emergency childbirth | |
Water related emergencies | |
Practical demonstrations and participation by each learner in the practical exercises |