Photo credits- Tanmay Shiroor

Report by- Maithili Padukone

Chitrapur Yuvadhara has presented a vast variety of opportunities to the Yuva-s of our community- from training in public-speaking and making presentations, training in music and stage performances, connecting with nature through treks and hikes, learning the importance of service through Shrama seva, and enriching the understanding of spirituality through interactions with Parama Pujya Swamiji and many more…
Yet another brilliant opportunity was presented to us to make us aware and responsive in case of any medical emergencies at work, home and in our sabha-s through an intensive workshop on first-aid.

The Life supporters Institute of Health Sciences conducted the workshop on first-aid and basic life-support techniques on the 5th of May, 2012. The day-long workshop was held in the Anandashram Hall of Kanara Saraswat Association at Talmaki wadi, Grant Road.
A team of three doctors, Dr. Ganesh Auti, Dr. Jennifer Pereira and Dr. Sajida Attar, and an assistant, trained by the American Heart Society, held talks and a video presentation along with practical training on various topics concerned with first-aid. Nineteen Yuva-s and four adults across six sabhas from Mumbai participated in the workshop.

The day began at 8am with a few preparations and setting up followed by Deepa-prajwalana and Sabha-prarambha prarthana at 9am. After a brief introduction and felicitation of the experts who had come to conduct the workshop, the participants were plunged into a sea of amazing information on various topics like medical conditions, medical emergencies, industrial mishaps, and CPR [Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation] through a partly interactive instructional video.

The pauses in the video were filled by the speakers by in-depth information on topics that were relevant to our setting and real-life situations we may likely face. The speakers were well-versed with the topics and made the discussions lively and interesting to hold our attention span through the 8 hours. Hands-on practice gave each one of us confidence needed for attending to any kind of medical emergency, even if it meant ensuring they get some kind of medical help as soon as possible.

Some of the exercises we did include:
~ approaching a person in need of medical attention,
~checking scene-safety
~checking whether they are responding or not
~recognising the problem,
~calling for help,
~splinting, bandaging,
~giving breaths, CPR and use of AED [Automated External Defibrillator]