Maids learn first aid

Parents association in Jumeirah organises safety training for housemaids

Michael bites a big piece off his apple. Soon, he cannot breathe because the piece is stuck and is choking him. Annie, the maid, watches him turn blue, but does not have a clue as to what to do. The parents are not at home, and the maid has never done any first aid training.

These are the scenarios that went through the minds of the Jumeirah Primary School Parents Association (JPS PA), when they decided to organise safety training for housemaids and a blood donation unit.

"Our children are left with them for a large part of the day, and how many of them really know what actions to take in case of an emergency," said Angela McCallum, chairperson of the JPS PA.

"Everywhere I have lived, there has been such a course readily available, but since it wasn't the case here, we decided to do it ourselves," emphasised Liz Dixon, a member of the JPS PA.

FAST, the first-aid and safety training consultants, was appointed to teach the eight-hour course at the school. The first part was conducted on September 23. Part two of the same course will be held on September 30. "We had around 14 housemaids taking part in the course.

Some of them did have a slight language problem, but when I assessed them, it was clear that they had understood all the instructions," stated Reham Haddad, a St. John Ambulance first aid trainer working with FAST.

By the end of the course, the trainees will have the knowledge, understanding and practical skills necessary to react to an incident and apply first aid to save life and restrict further injury and damage.

The syllabus includes incident management, casualty management, priorities of first aid, cardio pulmonary resuscitation, control of bleeding and shock handling. Haddad makes use of an adult and a baby doll to demonstrate procedures. She continually assesses the students on a one to one basis through practical exercises.

"As an international school, we try to emphasise the global message of world citizenship. Having started this, the blood donation will be a regular event at least twice a year, and the first aid is something we might do every term," said Stuart Dennis, a faculty member at JPS.

"By supporting local communities and healthcare with such projects, JPS exemplifies its sense of responsibility for the children's families beyond the school gates," added Dennis.