Monday, November 12, 2007 Y 3:48 PM
On 1 November 2007, we secondary 2 npcc cadets went to attend Civil Defense course. The Singapore Civil Defense Force (SCDF) is a uniformed organization under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs. They are an organization whose main role is to provide fire fighting, rescue and emergency ambulance services; as well as formulate, implement and enforce regulations on fire safety and civil defense shelter matters.
First, we learn about first aids. We learnt how to stop a person from keep bleeding by applying direct pressure. We also learnt how to bandage casualty. Such as bandaging a 90 degree and 45 degree arm bandage and bandage a casualty if he had injured his head. We also learnt how to treat burns and scalds by placing the burnt area under cold running water or immersing it in cold water for at least 10 minutes and gently remove any rings, watches, belts or constricting clothing from the injured area before it starts to swell.
Secondly, we went to another room to learn about Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). First we assess the victim’s condition - shake him gently and ask if he is all right. If he did not reply, call an ambulance. Open his airway by tilting his head back and lifting the chin upwards. If we see foreign objects in his mouth or throat, remove them. Check the casualty whether he is breathing. If he is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation. Feel the pulse of the casualty at the carotid (neck area) for up to 10 seconds. If there is a pulse, perform mouth-to- mouth ventilation at the rate of 12 times per minute, until natural breathing is restored. If not, immediately begin chest compression.
How do we perform chest compression? First, we centre the heel of one hand at the lower half of the breast bone, keeping our fingers off the ribs. Cover his hand with the heel of our other hand. Keep our arms straight and push down vertically about 4 to 5 cm and then release. We have to complete 5 cycles comprising of 30 compressions & 2 full ventilations in each cycle. Between compressions, we do not lift our hands off the chest. Repeat pulse check after the 2 minute and every 5 minutes thereafter. The moment his pulse returns, immediately stop compressions and check for breathing. If victim is not breathing, perform rescue breathing at 12 times per minute (1 breath every 5 seconds) until victim’s natural breathing is restored. If both pulse and breathing have returned, place victim in the recovery position and maintain an open airway.
After learning about CPR, we had our lunch in the canteen. After lunch, we also tried to put out fire by using fire extinguisher.
After that, went back to classroom and had a lesson about emergency exercise. We had a test after the lesson. The course ended after a short briefing. We all enjoy the course.
Tan Si En 11/11/2007,
