FIRST AID WORKSHOP FOR TOW TRUCK DRIVERS

FIRST AID WORKSHOP FOR TOW TRUCK DRIVERS
by PP Lim Chang Mee

Rotarians of The Rotary Club of Port Klang under the chairmanship of PP Kuah Leong Qui, organized a first aid workshop for tow truck drivers on 11 November, 2007. A total of 28 tow truck drivers and several Rotarians took part in the workshop.

The first aid workshop was conducted by members of the St. John Ambulans Malaysia. Our club’s involvement with St. John Ambulans Malaysia has gone back a long way. In 1996, when Rotarian R S Kumar was President, our club donated a RM$40,000 ambulance to St. John Ambulans Malaysia. Much of the fund was personally raised by President R S Kumar. In 1999, when Rotarian Ng Boon Su was President, our club conducted the first of such a workshop for tow truck drivers.

According to the Royal Malaysian Police, in 2006 there were 6287 fatalities in road accidents, 9253 people were seriously injured and 19,885 suffered from light injuries. Hence, it was a good idea to hold a first aid workshop for tow truck drivers since they are very often the first to be at the scenes of accidents. By having the knowledge to dispense first aid to the victims of accidents while waiting for paramedics to arrive, many lives can be saved.

The first aid workshop taught the tow truck drivers the necessary steps to be taken during an accident such as preventing the victim(s) from further danger, stopping the flow of blood, assisting the victim(s) to be more comfortable, as well as calling the ambulance. The tow truck drivers were also taught how to bandage the victims, the method of carrying the victims and in serious accidents, how to perform the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or CPR.

The course was conducted by Mr Athi Arasan who is the current State Training and Examination Officer of St. John Ambulans Malaysia and he was assisted by several members of the organization. The closing speech was made by Dato Dr Low Bin Tick, the Commander-in-Chief of St. John Ambulans Malaysia in the presence of Mr Bernard Yeo, its State Commander. Our Lady President, Rotarian Cheah Liyen gave away Certificates of Appreciation to the members of the St. John Ambulans Malaysia as well as Certificates of Attendance to the participating tow truck drivers. A first aid kit was also presented to each and everyone of the tow truck drivers with the hope and prayer that the kit will be used to save lives.