A paediatric first aid course took place at the Sea Rescue Base in Rupert’s, led by Emergency Medical Technicians Rae Dickie-Clark and Armand Brits from the Ambulance Service. The training was designed for parents, grandparents, and carers to help them respond effectively to emergencies involving children under 16.
The free course included instruction on recognising life-threatening conditions, performing CPR on infants and children, managing choking incidents, identifying signs of concussion, treating burns, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Michael Gaga-Hale, Emergency Operations Manager, said:
“I’m really pleased that our team volunteered to deliver the Paediatric First Aid Course. Education is just as vital as emergency response as it equips people with the knowledge to recognise when help is needed and gives them the confidence to provide basic care before an ambulance arrives. That early action can make a real difference in outcomes, especially in paediatric emergencies where time is critical and people often feel very distressed.
This course gives members of the public the chance to learn practical skills, ask questions, and build their understanding of what to do in an emergency. It also gives us, as an ambulance service, the chance to connect with the community in a different way. We’re able to answer their concerns, build trust, and break down barriers between the public and emergency services.
Taking up opportunities like this is important. It supports prevention, strengthens our relationship with the community, and helps people feel more prepared and confident to act when it matters most. Thank you to those who attended, and to the EMTs who gave up their free time to deliver the course.”
Anel O’Bey, Deputy Emergency Planning Manager, expressed gratitude toward everyone involved in organising and attending the session. The Emergency Planning team intends to continue offering similar courses in future efforts aimed at improving emergency response capacity on St Helena.