Medical emergencies may occur everywhere. More so in schools where the majority of the participants are very active young people between the ages of 11 and 16. It was for this reason that the Archbishop's Seminary Secondary School at tal-Virtù, Rabat, recently organised a three-day basic First Aid course for its members of staff who, like everyone else, may sometimes find they have to deal with unexpected emergencies.
Headmaster Fr David Cilia sought the services and collaboration of the Malta Red Cross Society. The course was ably delivered, by Pierre Gatt, a highly experienced health and safety educator. The course consisted of a combination of classroom instruction using video tapes and slides to help participants become aware of the type of emergencies they can suddenly be faced with, demonstrations and practical hands-on activities to ensure proper management at the place where First Aid may be required.
As part of the course, participants were made aware that rather than rushing in and perhaps causing more harm than good, they need first to take careful steps to ensure their own health and safety. Then they learnt the steps they have to go through to decide what help the casualty may need. In small groups, every participant worked with a partner to practise how to put a victim in the recovery position and how to administer CPR safely.
At the end of the course, each one was encouraged to study and revise regularly the handouts provided and to invest in a well equipped First Aid kit for any emergency that one may come across. Participants were also instructed to make more people aware of the emergency number for EU countries, the 112 toll free number, which can be used in all member countries.
The school administration has planned to work further with Red Cross health and safety personnel to ensure that the school is the safest possible place it can be for its community. All participants, including the rector, the administration, teachers, facilitators and the librarian, are now certified basic First Aiders hoping to give the best care they can to anyone who may need their help.