School of lifesavers: Project to help residents learn first aid skills
RESUSCITATE: First aiders in simulation. Picture supplied
Getting Cape Flats residents certified in first aid is just one step closer to safer communities.
Inspire Network, a non-governmental organisation, and Bounce Back Community Development, both based in Elsies River, have been involved in numerous community projects and recently took it upon themselves to train youth in first aid.
“The first aid training is open to residents from Elsies River, Ravensmead, Kensington, Bishop Lavis, Belhar and Delft,” says Steve Ross, founder of Inspire Network.
“We are constantly engaging with other organisations to aid in our vision of equipping our communities with skills that could potentially save lives.
“Youth ages range from 17 and 35 for intensive first aid training.”
Ross says Inspire Network’s partnership with Bounce Back, run by Victor and Vanessa West, which does first aid training, has thus far certified 30 trainees since October 2020.
“Our first training session was in November 2020 and the second session was in June 2021.
“The idea is to train 20 candidates each quarter and the next course will be either in August or September 2021,” says Ross.
All certified first aiders of the Inspire Network Youth Academy are required to give back to the community they serve, as they are certified for three years as first aiders.
He says some of them will be doing first aid at their companies, a few at crèches and others at community soccer clubs.
“All of them are also called on to assist as first aiders at our community events. Those who show a keen interest in sharing their skills are targeted for level two training within the next year,” he adds.
Ross adds that Elsies River, including Eureka Estate and Uitsig, could easily have around 120 000 residents, “therefore our target is to train at least 120 first aiders by the end of 2021”.