CN&CO first aiders to the rescue!

What do you do if someone nearby starts having a seizure? Or chokes on a piece of food? Would you even know who to call?

A group of CN&CO team mates – Carel Nolte, Kurt Solomon and Colin Ford – recently attended a three-day intensive first aid course with Hayley Rosenthal of 1^st CPR.

“We learnt so much more in those three days than I ever imagined possible!” says Carel. “From CPR to burns to snake bites, we found ourselves in the thick of a few scenarios that would previously have freaked me out. Now, though, I feel confident I can provide some assistance until help arrives.

“I’m not here to reset someone’s broken bone, for example,” he adds, “but now I know how to immobilise it until the paramedics come.”

One of the first things you do as a first aider is to call for help.

“It’s amazing how many of us don’t know who to get hold of in an emergency,” says Carel. “The magic number you can call from your cell phone – from anywhere in the world – is 112. You can also make use of apps such as Namola when you find yourself in an emergency situation.”

It’s a good idea, Carel says, to have a fully stocked first aid kit with you at all times.

“But you also have to know how to use the stuff inside the kit, which is why it’s advisable – even essential – for all South Africans to acquire some basic first aid knowledge.”

“Hayley was an amazing teacher who shaped the course around us,” says Colin. “She explained concepts and procedures extremely well and prepared us for real-life emergencies through hands-on scenarios.

“Ironically, Kurt was used as the ‘patient’ when we learnt how to splint a broken ankle. He then proceeded to break his ankle for real on the same night that we finished the course!”

Carel, Kurt and Colin cannot sing Hayley’s praises highly enough.

“We would recommend Hayley in a heartbeat to anyone looking to learn the basics of first aid, especially people who look after kids and those who work in an office environment,” says Kurt (from his bedroom, on his back). “The course was well worth the time it took to complete.”

If you’d like to find out more, visit https://1stcpr.co.za/ or contact Hayley directly.

Check out the boys in action (and out of action) below: