Preserving Life as Fast as Lightning

by JOANNE SU

Recently, the Heart Safe team had the pleasure of hosting the National University of Singapore (NUS) Silat team when they attended our Standard First Aid (SFA) + AED certification course.

The varsity team from NUS trains both competitively and leisurely in Silat, a Malay martial art style characterised by techniques using footwork and hand movements, as well as attacks on pressure points.

The etymology of the word Silat derives from sekilat which means “as (fast as) lightning”. The NUS Silat team were indeed lightning quick in learning all the tools and techniques of first aid and CPR+AED that day.

We caught up with the team after their certification to find out how the SFA+AED course has enriched their lives.

What is one thing that stood out to you from the SFA+AED course?
One thing that we remember from the course is DRSABC, which stands for Danger, Response, Shout for help, AED, Breathing, CPR. This acronym is easy to memorise and helps us remember how to respond in a medical emergency and keep someone alive until the ambulance arrives.

Since attending the course, did any of you have to administer first aid to someone in an emergency?
One of our first-aid trained pesilats had the opportunity to practise her first aid skills shortly after the course.

“A day after the course, I was cycling with my friends from Marina Barrage to East Coast Park when suddenly we saw a lady fall off her bicycle. She was alone.

I was the first to reach her. I stayed as calm as possible and checked if her injuries were life-threatening. Fortunately, she only had a couple of abrasions on her left hand, arm and thigh. One of my friends retrieved a first aid kit from the customer service counter at Marina Barrage while the rest of us relieved her pain and prevented her injuries from worsening by cleaning and covering her wounds. For aid recovery, we checked that the bandages were not too tight around her wounds and that she could continue cycling. When she got back on her bike, my friends and I cycled along with her to ensure that she was not in any further pain or discomfort. Before we parted, I advised her on how to clean her wounds at home so that she could recover well.

It was a good thing that I could put what I had learned into immediate use that day.”

Outside of Silat practice, what do you think are the other benefits of SFA certification?
Being SFA+AED certified is certainly a plus in being able to help others in need. Especially in emergencies where our family members or friends need help, we are confident to jump into action without hesitation!