To keep a patient alive until emergency medical help arrives - that is the goal of applying first aid. Jim F. Watson, Senior First Aid Instructor of Oman Air, recently held a three-hour session to teach basic life-saving skills to Philippine Embassy staff in Muscat, their spouses and young adult children. A first aid instructor for 22 years, Mr. Watson designed the CPR and Basic First Aid Skills training according to North American standards.

The participants learned the five skills to handle an individual in an emergency situation: assess a patient, do CPR, help a choking adult or child, control of bleeding, and shock management. The video presentation, manual and practical demonstration used by the instructor enabled the students to follow easily.

Many of the participants were encouraged to attend because they have young children. Another staff took it as a refresher course while most signed up for the first time. Each participant received a Certificate of Completion after the course.

The basic first aid skills training was sponsored by the Philippine Ladies Group in Oman as part of its Adult Continuing Education Program and in support of the Philippine Embassy’s Disaster preparedness plan. The week-end session took place on Consulate premises.