Seventy students of Pattaya Schools No. 5 and No. 9 attended a training session on the use of life saving equipment and techniques at Pattaya School No. 5 on September 21.
They were trained on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques and the proper use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
This training session came about through the generosity and caring of Rotarians in Korea and Thailand including the Rotary Club of Phra Nakhon supported by the Rotary Clubs of Pattaya, Jomtien-Pattaya and Plutaluang.
Past Rotary District 3340 Governor Pratheep S. Malhotra chaired the latest training sessions. He was joined by PDG Onanong Siripornmanut, President Supan Wiboonma of the Rotary Club of Phra Nakhon, Dr. Naruemol Inthapong, Director of Pattaya School No. 5, PP Vutikorn Kamolchote, President Dol Adinan, PP Preecha Peethong together with Rotarians and teachers from Bangkok and Chonburi.
Last year the Rotary Clubs of Daegu Dongshin and Geoje-Chilbaekri in Korea together with the Rotary Club of Phra Nakhon in Bangkok, raised 1,832,503 baht to purchase and distribute 50 sets of AEDs to worthy organisations in Pattaya and Sattahip.
The lifesaving equipment included 10 sets of AEDs, 10 cabinets, and 15 trainer sets including 15 mannequins used for training volunteers in CPR techniques and the proper usage of the AED.
The equipment was distributed to HM Queen Sirikit Hospital, the Abhakorn Kiatiwong Hospital, the Sawang Boriboon Foundation, Plutaluang Vittaya School, Sawang Rochana Foundation, the Naval Administrative Office and Pattaya schools No. 5 & 9.
To implement a large-scale humanitarian project such as this one, Rotary Clubs or Districts, after having finalized their plans to implement a humanitarian project, raise as much money as they possibly can. They then submit an application for a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation, who’s committee thoroughly scrutinizes the feasibility of such projects, approves them and helps see it through. The Rotary Foundation matches the funds raised by the clubs and districts with the same amount to fulfill the costs of such an undertaking.
The Rotary Global Grant regulations state very strictly that all recipients of this particular grant are required to attend stringent training sessions on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques and the proper use of the AEDs.
At the handover ceremony in June, Rear Adm. Surasing Prapaipanitch, Director of the Queen Sirikit Hospital said, “The risk of sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time including children and adults. It can strike at workplaces, homes, schools, playgrounds or while exercising.
“In a matter of seconds, you could have a cardiac arrest or arrhythmia when the brain and body will lack oxygen leading to death.
“Patients will not be warned in advance; they will suddenly pass out or have unexpected accidents, such as drowning even if they are good swimmers, or while participating in other sports activities.
“To save a person’s life one must be well trained in both the basic knowledge of CPR and the proper use of AED.”
To this end, training sessions have been held at the Queen Sirikit Hospital in Sattahip and another one was held at Pattaya School No. 5 on September 21.
Naval Captain Bunlue Buasomboon and Rajporn Chularat from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation Rescue Unit led the training sessions giving the students as much information in life saving methods as they possibly could.
Students learn many valuable lessons in life saving techniques.