MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay Association of and for Persons with Disabilities’ (MBAPD) employees recently completed a first aid training course aimed at strengthening their emergency response skills.
The training, provided by Metro Emergency Medical Services (EMS) over two days, saw a strong focus on assisting children.
The MBAPD said the course combined theory with practical demonstrations, ensuring that its staff members were not only informed, but confident in applying first aid correctly in real-life situations.
“While general first aid principles remain the same, special attention was given to the critical differences between administering first aid to children versus adults,” said the MBAPD.
“Metro EMS explained that children are not simply small adults. Their bodies are still developing, which means their airways are narrower, their bones are more fragile, and their responses to injury or illness can be much faster and more severe.
“For example, when performing CPR on a child, the pressure and technique used are very different from those used on an adult. Too much force can cause serious injury, while too little may be ineffective. The same applies to choking emergencies, where age-appropriate techniques must be used to safely clear an airway.”
The MBAPD said another important difference highlighted during the training was how children communicate pain or distress.
“Younger children may struggle to explain what they are feeling, requiring caregivers to rely on observation, calm reassurance and quick assessment. Managing panic - both the child’s and the bystanders’ - was also a key part of the training.”
The association said this training was highly relevant to its team as they regularly work with children with disabilities who may have additional medical or communication needs.
“Being equipped with the correct knowledge and skills ensures safer environments and faster, more effective responses during emergencies,” it said.
The MBAPD thanked Metro EMS for providing practical, professional and empowering training that would benefit not only its staff, but the broader community.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
