Lifesaving is for Everyone

Enthusiastic shouts of “Call 995!”, “AED is here!” and “Stay clear!” rang from SHF’s headquarters on a Saturday afternoon. It’s a different race for the Special Olympics Singapore (SOSG) athletes as they, along with their caregivers and volunteer coaches, underwent cardiac arrest simulations to acquire basic resuscitation skills.

The unique group comprising intellectually disabled athletes and their supportive guardians formed a powerful picture of the Inclusion Revolution—proof that people of all abilities can learn CPR and AED and be confident and ready to save lives.

By JOANNE SU, GILLIAN LIM

Time is equally precious to a cardiac arrest victim as it is to an athlete, and the participants demonstrated this fundamental of CPR well, pushing hard and fast. SOSG athlete Paulo Bulosan, 23, and his parents, Arnel and Zann Bulosan, recount their learning experience with us.

Why did you decide to participate in our Restart A Heart Programme?

Zann: We think it’s good to learn how to do CPR, especially when we’re getting older. So at least Paulo will know how to prompt [for help] in case of emergency.

How did you find the class?

Arnel: It was fun! [Paulo] was excited. He always tells us that when we grow old, he will be the one to take care of us. So I told him [when we were practising on the manikin], “Imagine that this is Daddy who cannot breathe.” That’s why he was very (laughs) — he was pumping very hard and fast!

Paulo (in black) and his father, Arnel, putting the CPR+AED skills they learned to practice.

Paulo: If I see Daddy [unconscious], I must do CPR. Call 995! 1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and-5, press the heart. Put the pads. Pump!

Arnel: I really appreciated the small class size. We could focus on the speaker and practise immediately in small groups.

What was the most important thing you learned today?

Paulo: I want to show them; I want to share [with my co-athletes who are not here today]. Learn CPR! CPR can save lives. They can save lives too.

The Restart A Heart Programme is a simplified CPR+AED training programme designed to give laypersons quick and simple training in lifesaving skills. Click here for more details.