For two days, journalists from different organizations in the city got the opportunity to take part in a first aid training conducted by the Philippine Red Cross-Davao Chapter.
The training was held at the PRC Davao headquarters along Roxas Avenue in the city last July 20 to 21.
The training aimed to give journalists a basic knowledge of first aid techniques that could be used by first responders in accidents or disasters, as in many cases journalists might be on the scene first, said instructor Zulkifli Sangcopan, a registered nurse who is a member of the emergency medical team (EMT).
Sangcopan said the training also aimed to raise the profile of first aid in the country and to encourage others to get themselves trained.
Among the topics covered in the sessions were Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), bandage application, bone and joint injuries, burns and poisoning, and wounds and injuries during disaster or accidents.
Aside from Sangcopan, another lecturer was Michael Jan Sabesaje, also a PRC first aid instructor and EMT basic provider.
The training was initiated by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), through its Communications Officer Ryan Ang, as they considered members of the media as valuable partners in information and awareness of their activities.
Ang said the knowledge on first aid is important to media practitioners, especially those doing field works, as they are usually confronted with or exposed to risky conditions.
Knowing first aid would help somehow the media practitioners to do more than the usual covering the event, as they can be of help by applying first aid to affected individuals, Ang said.
“In addition, they can equally use their first aid skills in their respective workplaces and households in case emergency arises,” Ang said.
Ruth Palo Dumandan, a radio anchor of Radyo Pilipinas-Davao, said “the training was really beneficial to us.”
“Our role in the society is not just only to deliver information but also to help and assist anyone who may be injured in an accident or emergency,” Dumandan said.
She said reporters are usually among the first persons to arrive at scenes of accidents.
Despite their willingness to help, they could not extend any assistance as most reporters don’t have basic knowledge of first aid, Dumandan said.
