Singapore First Aid Training Centre was being invited by Eagle Productions to provide professional input for a Malay Health programme on Suria called S.M.L @ Sihat. S.M.L@Sihat is a health magazine that broaches the subject of health in a ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach.

This episode includes a segment on cardiac arrest. It covers the identification, signs and symptoms, CPR and also an introduction to the AED or Automated External Defibrillator. The skit is a guy who was running on the threadmill and suddenly experiences immensed chest pain. He loses balance, falls off the threadmill but is just saved in time from falling by a fellow gym member. At this point, a close up shot shows him looking pale and sweaty, both signs of a heart attack.

Stars Aaron Aziz.

Singapore First Aid Training Centre featured on the Suria news. A clip showing NRC accredited CPR+AED course being conducted for Singapore Silat Federation (PERSISI) athletes. Features the full line up of silat national athletes including Mr Sheik Alauddin, former national silat champion. Dr Fatimah Lateef, MP GRC Marine Parade was present to share her comments and teachings to the CPR+AED participants.

Preventing injuries during CPR, performing good compressions, correct compression rates… All these go a long way in increasing the victim’s chances of survival. Unfortunately, most people do not do any of these 3 important factors right.

That is why when we heard about CPREzy, we were just so excited about what it can do – and the number of lives it can potentially save. So what is CPREzy?

An article on the first aid corps on ST Online was posted on Monday. Check it out below:

Volunteer groups can minimise deaths from cardiac arrest

IT WAS disheartening to read about the sudden death of schoolboy Tee Yan Chyuan after a game of badminton at Tampines Sports Hall (‘RI boy, 12, dies after game’). The cause of death was certified as cardiorespiratory failure.Singapore’s survival rate from cardiac arrest is 2 to 3 per cent. This is because of high population density and congested roads, and it may worsen in the near future as an ageing population increases demands on medical emergency services.

Our non-profit, volunteer organisation was created to help minimise such tragedies. Our objectives are:

- To organise a group of volunteers, provide training and equipment, and provide first aid to the public in times of distress;

- To increase awareness of the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and use of the automated external defibrillator in cardiac arrest cases, both at home and at work.

- The immediate goal is to improve survival rates of heart attacks from a low single digit to a double digit percentage.

Our organisation functions in teams of at least three volunteers in the neighbourhoods, in both public and private housing estates. Currently, we have more than 200 volunteers, with one operational first aid corps team (Fact) at Block 61 Marine Drive and three Facts awaiting sponsorship (two in Serangoon and one in Bukit Panjang).

To read stories of lives being saved, both here and abroad, go to www.firstaidcorps.org. Click on the word ‘child’ or ‘student’ to read about children saved by their friends, teachers or parents using their cardiopulmonary skills with life-saving devices to keep them out of harm’s way.

Anyone interested in joining our cause should e-mail cocreate@firstaidcorps.org.

Dr Dana Elliott Srither
First Aid Corps (Singapore)
Volunteer No. 1