First aid: The first and, most often, last chance to survive

The importance of knowing how to give first aid to people is stressed this week on the 102nd anniversary of St John Ambulance in Malta.

We don’t need to wait for a wake-up call − if more people know first aid, they’d have the confidence to deal with emergencies when they occur

Last year the association treated more than 700 casualties in the country through their support for emergency services at public events.

It also trained about 2,000 people in basic first aid and another 3,000 – including schoolchildren – in specialised first aid courses.

All this was carried out by the 225 volunteers on its books.

On their 102-year anniversary, the plea of the Association is for more awareness on the importance of knowing first aid.

“Even with the best laid plans, accidents can happen and lives could be saved if more people have first aid knowledge,” said Gemma Sirol, St John Commissioner First Aid and Nursing.

“We don’t need to wait for a wake-up call – if more people know first aid, they’d have the confidence to deal with emergencies when they occur,” she said.

Although health and safety regulations are constantly improving, several people still resist adhering to such regulations while others who do not fall under any umbrella are not being monitored and taught how to reduce or assess risks.

“At places like childcare centres, all carers are obliged to be trained in first aid, but what about that grandmother taking care of her three grandchildren at home?” asked Mrs Sirol who has been involved in St John since her teens.

The association’s goal is to make first aid certification compulsory for the issuing of a driving licence.

“In such a way, a vast cross-section of society would be targeted and it is important for all drivers to have a basic knowledge of first aid,” she said.

The association’s efforts were recently recognised by a visit of the Duke of Gloucester who is the Grand Prior of the Order, appointed by the Queen of England – the Head of the Order.

“His Royal Highness expressed his wish to meet our members during his visit to Malta as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s jubilee,” said Franco Piccinino, St John’s CEO and training coordinator.

It was the Duke’s first time in Malta and he managed to slot in 90 minutes outside his official programme to visit the association’s quarters in Independence Square, Valletta.

“This was quite a morale boost for us, especially for the younger members who are striving to attain their Grand Prior Award. Here they were, shaking hands with him,” he said.

The members belong to three different sections: first aid and nursing, training and rescue corps. The latter was established in 1987 and is unique to Malta.

“At that time there was no national department of civil protection and any land rescue missions were carried out by the police,” said Andrew Grech St John Assistant Commissioner.

It was set up to offer back up services in case of national calamities and includes firefighting, urban search and rescue.

“We work closely with the Department of Civil Protection and nowadays the department considers us as a reliable back-up.

“It’s not the first time we are asked to supplement its personnel in the fire-fighting depot when all its officers are called out on sizable emergencies,” said Mr Grech.

All members are voluntary and luckily most employers are very understanding and cooperative.

The first aid and nursing and the rescue corps are at their busiest during mass events and the casualties they treat vary:

“At the Isle of MTV concert last year we had about 120 casualties – mostly fainting, too much alcohol consumption and some brawls,” said Mr Piccinino.

At football grounds they witness several panic attacks, asthma attacks and even cases of mild heart attacks.

Unfortunately, safety is the last thing people think about and often event organisers tend to leave it to the last minute to book their services, not realising the pre-planning involved.

There is a limit to how much they can stretch their fleet of six ambulances. This year the association will be purchasing another ambulance after benefitting from L-Istrina funds. The association does not charge fees for its services but donations go a long way to cover some of the ambulances’ running costs.

“Despite our limitations, we always do our best to be of service,” said Mrs Sirol, stressing again the need for everyone to be more conscious of first aid. “Knowledge is power and in this case it can be the power to save a life.”

For more information go to www.stjohnambulancemalta.com or call 2124 5740 or 7924 5740.

Fact box

• The term “first aid” was coined in 1878 by executives of St John Ambulance Association in the UK, as a blending of the terms “first treatment” and “national aid”.

• The organisation traces its origins to the Knights Hospitallers of St John, hence its mission of helping the sick and injured persons from all walks of life.

• The St John Ambulance was founded in the UK in 1877. It was established in Malta five years later.

• The emergency number is 112.