Written by: SGT (NPCC) Alicia Teo Qilin
: SGT (NPCC) Low Wei Jun

On 17th and 18th November 2008, 10 of the Secondary 3 NPCC cadets and 2 Teacher Officers (TOs) attended the Standard First Aid Course. The course was for us, the NCOs, to be equipped with the basic first aid skills and Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills that will be useful during NPCC trainings or any other times when first aid is needed. Basically, we felt that it is a life skill and knowledge that will be helpful to any of us in case of emergency, a skill that everyone should possess. Thus we too invite our school National Cadet Corps (NCC) Unit to join us.

Beginning of the course, we actually thought that it was a course with lots of lectures to go through. Yes, it had lectures but more of it was on practical. Mr Bob, the first aid instructor, conducted the course in an interesting way that most of us were looking forward to learning all the skills that he was going to teach us.

On the first day, we learnt the theory and practical about bandages. We also learnt how to carry a casualty around and there are a few methods of doing it. During the course, we tried to carry our friends around the school using what we had learnt. It was tiring but most of us felt that it was fun!

On the second day, we learnt about the different types of sprains and fractures. Next was CPR, CPR is a serious thing that could save a life of a person. Going through the procedures were difficult, as we had to memorize all the steps and execute it correctly especially the timings for the compressions. We were sure that many of us were breathless after doing a complete set of CPR, and in addition we actually had to give 12 blows, which are called Rescue Breathing, at the end to the casualty.

It wasn’t easy for all of us to pass CPR. However, with much determination and concentration, all of us managed to pass the theory and practical test as well as the procedures for CPR and became certified first aiders.

We can really say that during these 2 days, all of us learnt new skills and had fun at the same time. Most of us didn’t thought that we could actually be certified first aiders and some of us may even be interested in pursuing deeper knowledge about First Aid. Who knows, we might become doctors one day.

Seriously, we never realize first aid is really that interesting until we personally attended the course. But definitely, when we respond to actual situations, we must be serious and apply our skills correctly. We really appreciate it as we may need to use it in the future and we are really grateful to our Unit for organizing such a meaningful course for us. It really upholds our Unit’s vision: ”NPCC…a life changing experience…”

“First Aiders are Noblemen, the choice is yours to respond, and the responsibility is now on your shoulder!”