Be Prepared: International SOS Staff Teach Basic First Aid Training at Aziza's Place



Senior Nurse Theavy teaching Sreythy the

art of bandaging a severe bleeding wound.  

Sreythy then practiced on Bopha as her patient. 

 An exciting event took place in June thanks to the initiative of volunteer Elodie Douillard-Potet who has been researching and arranging extra learning opportunities for the Aziza’s Place children and staff. Elodie connected with staff from the International SOS Phnom Penh Medical Clinic and arranged a half-day basic first-aid training course for everyone at Aziza’s Place. The workshop was an interactive afternoon of learning as the children and staff all absorbed vital skills to prepare them for unexpected emergency situations.

  The workshop was arranged by International SOS staff Sotheavy Sok, Ed Creagan, Aine Flanagan and Gareth Bright. Senior Nurse Theavy and Paramedic Ed led the training session with demonstrations and activities for the children also to take part in. They introduced:

• techniques and methods for responding to situations of danger; 
• a step-by-step process to follow if someone is choking – including strong back slaps to dislodge the airway obstruction, the Heimlich Maneuver if choking is serious, chest compressions, placing the patient into the recovery position;
• the appropriate response for a person with serious bleeding;
• and the response for a person with broken or fractured bones.

  The workshop presented a lot of information which was all taught in an interactive manner that enabled the children to get involved and grasp important practical skills. Upon completion of the workshop the children and staff were all presented with certificates to congratulate them on their new knowledge. See photos on the Aziza's Place facebook page. The children were also delighted to share this knowledge with their parents and siblings during the Aziza’s Place June Family Night that soon followed the workshop activity.

  Many thanks to the staff of International SOS Phnom Penh Medical Clinic for taking the time to arrange and develop the first-aid training for the Aziza’s Place children and staff. Everyone enjoyed the activity and came away with invaluable skills and knowledge.