Photo courtesy of the Gomel State Medical College
GOMEL, 29 March (BelTA0 – Rechitsa joined the national first aid campaign Restart a Heart on 29 March, BelTA learned from Irina Savchenko, an instructor at Gomel State Medical College.
A masterclass was held at Secondary School No. 10. Students from the Margelov Rechitsa District Gymnasium and the Rechitsa District Lyceum also joined the project. Instructors from Gomel Medical College and final-year students conducted a masterclass on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They clearly, accessibly, and comprehensibly demonstrated the algorithm for saving a person’s life before the ambulance arrives. As the specialists explained, in the event of sudden cardiac arrest, the window for saving a life is measured in minutes - every second is precious. In a critical situation, it is often the actions of those nearby that determine whether a person survives.
The participants of the Restart a Heart project mastered key life-saving skills. This is a basic minimum that even a teenager can perform. “The main slogan of the campaign is: Anyone can save a life! All you need is two hands!” explained the representatives of Gomel Medical College.
The students were taught how to recognize that a person has suffered cardiac arrest and were shown what kind of help is needed in such a moment. The tenth graders practiced the sequence of actions. The most important things are to immediately call an ambulance and begin resuscitation. The tenth graders were also explained and shown the techniques of chest compressions and rescue breathing.
School students trained on special mannequin simulators, which helped them practice movement techniques and, for some, overcome their fear of providing aid. Knowing a simple algorithm of actions enables an ordinary passerby to save a victim’s life.
“It’s great to note that among the dozens of kids, there are some planning to tie their future to medicine. Naturally, at these sessions, they’re the most active: they practice the actions, ask questions, and show genuine interest. Still, it’s no less important to involve kids who see themselves in IT, economics, or law. They also immerse themselves in the scenario, gain knowledge that could come in handy in a critical moment,” the college instructor pointed out.
The campaign organizers are convinced: anyone can save a life. After all, knowing a simple algorithm of actions and having confidence in one’s abilities turns an ordinary passerby into someone who can buy precious minutes for a person whose heart has stopped.
Irina Savchenko emphasized that saving a life isn’t scary or complicated at all. “The key is to take the first step - learn, and if needed, take action. A person’s life can depend on those nearby, and time can be measured in minutes. Even if the kids don’t dare start resuscitation, at least they’ll call an ambulance and ensure the person is in the right position. That often makes a huge difference,” she concluded, stressing the importance of such educational initiatives.
In the coming Saturdays, medical college instructors and students will continue outreach to district centers to reach as many school students as possible.
The large-scale first aid campaign Restart a Heart aims to teach basic life-saving skills. The project was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Center of the Belarus President Property Management Directorate, along with the Healthcare Ministry and Education Ministry.
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