What to do when a child chokes on a food particle? What should be the first reaction to a case of heart attack? These are some of the questions that doctors answered at a workshop on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at Modern High School for Girls on July 20.
Some students of class XII and teachers took part in the non-medical person’s certificate course in CPR conducted by the Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) group of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, in association with West Bengal Academy of Pediatrics.
The workshop was aimed at equipping teachers and students with basic training so that they can provide immediate assistance in case of a cardiac arrest or other life-threatening situations, potentially saving lives before professional help arrives.
Doctors from Indian Academy of Pediatrics demonstrate the CPR method
Aban Confectioner, head, primary and junior department, also attended the workshop. “When we got the opportunity to conduct this workshop in our school, we were happy to attend it. I think equipping teachers with CPR knowledge is crucial for promoting a culture of safety and preparedness in schools. We hope we never have to use these skills, but if we have to we will be able to do it with confidence. We are glad that this workshop turned out to be a very fruitful lesson for all of us,” she said.
Senior students of the student council joined the workshop along with the staff
A group of seven doctors conducted the two-hour-long workshop, explaining in detail the step-by-step guidelines of applying CPR. The participants were also shown how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and given hands-on training for dealing with emergencies of choking.
Speaking to My Kolkata, Shaon Mitra, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist, said, “Teachers spend a significant amount of time with students and are often the first responders in an emergency situation. CPR training equips teachers with the skills and confidence to act swiftly and effectively, ensuring the safety and well-being of their students. We trained the teachers to use the Automated External Defibrillator (AED), which is now a must-have device in public places. The AED itself guides the user step by step, which is useful during a panic situation.”
Dummies of both adults and children were used to demonstrate CPR skills
Mitra said incidents of choking may arise in schools, especially in junior classes, and sometimes the situation may go out of hand. “Teachers were explained how to save a child from choking. Younger children tend to choke on food. If they are coughing, the chances of the food particle coming out is high. But if the child is not able to breathe, the obstruction is serious and external intervention is required. We have given the teachers hands-on training on that.”
Indian Academy of Pediatrics observed CRP week from July 16 to 23
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics conducted the Basic Life Support (BLS) workshop as part of a series of programmes to observe CPR week from July 16 to 23.
Soma Chatterjee, co-ordinator, primary and junior department, said, “It was a well-organised workshop and everything was very well-explained. All the teachers were content after attending it. We also had a few senior school students attend the workshop so that they can help their peers in need. I am sure all of us are very confident about it now and we will be able to act swiftly if any untoward situation arises.”
The teachers attending the workshop practised CPR on dummies.
