First Aid in Schools

In week 9, all of our students participated in the First Aid in Schools Program; a community initiative delivered by qualified trainers from St John SA. The aim is to equip children with the first aid skills they need if faced with a medical emergency. The course is fun and informative with hands-on techniques and demonstrations.

Here is what Sophia and Taite had to say about it:

In week 9 this term our school was involved in the First Aid In Schools program run by one of St John’s paramedics called Annie. It was held in 1401 and 1402 in the 14 block and the session ran for one and a half hours. We are in 404 but the whole school took part in the program. 

We learnt a lot of skills and other things that we can use in the future. Some of those skills included learning how to use a puffer, how to use and activate an EpiPen, how to do CPR and how to treat a snake bite. All of the skills that we learned were very useful and can maybe even help us save someone's life in the future. We also learnt the acronym DRSABCD, which some people know as doctors ABCD. Each letter stands for an important part in the process of saving someone’s life.

As well as learning those other skills, we also learned how to tell if someone is unconscious, and if they are what to do. First, you check for a response by clapping your hands over their head and squeezing their shoulders, then you check the airways to see if anything is blocking them up, and then you put them into the recovery position. We also learned that as well as having to clean a wound, the best thing to do if you don’t have a bandaid is to put pressure on the wound, which will stop it from bleeding. We also learned that when people are in shock, they start to feel cold and their teeth start to chatter, so you wrap them up in the thermal survival blanket, which keeps them warm.

Thank you to all of the people who have helped in the process of saving someone’s life.

Written by Sophia S - Year 4 Student and Taite B - Year 5 Student