“Make CPR a compulsory subject in schools, higher learning institutions.”
For more than four decades St. John Ambulance Sarawak is proud to have trained thousands of students to become members skilled in First Aid, Nursing and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR.
We are proud that all these members are pledged to the underlying principles of St. John Ambulance expressed in our thousand- year old motto, Pro Utilitate Hominum, which is loosely translated as ‘dedication to works of humanity’.
This dedication covers loyalty or allegiance, commitment, enthusiasm and perseverance.
“IMPARTIALITY A MUST IN OUR HUMANITARIAN WORK”
But we need more than that to fulfill our individual roles in St. John Ambulance Sarawak and, may I add, be a credit to the country as citizens as well. In one word that is impartiality.
It appears that in our lives there are so many potentially divisive influences that retaining and upholding impartiality can be a continuous struggle.
Being human, it is a common attribute for bias to creep into our judgement. We can so easily be influenced by a person’s attributes, such as affluence, appearance, beliefs, dress, education level, eloquence, ethnicity, family, family connections, mannerisms, political views and status. And often allow ourselves the indulgence of being judgemental of others.
In our work with St. John Ambulance Sarawak, we as officers and members must always cast aside any such influences, however large a role they play in our everyday lives and personal associations and to repeat, “give everyone the same consideration, help, and treatment, without fear or favour”. Especially as in our respective roles in St. John Ambulance, our actions or non-action can have dire consequences, just as in the medical profession.
And may I suggest that at the same time we should look for the goodness in people, even in those with whom we have little or completely no empathy, and lead by example in our everyday lives.
In humanitarian voluntary work impartiality is of the utmost importance. It has been my firm belief that if anyone wishes to be involved in really helping people in distress and to save lives, the person must be prepared to help anyone irrespective of that persons ethnic origin, social background, religious and political beliefs.
I have always said that as a humanitarian voluntary worker that person knows no enemies.
As a genuine voluntary worker in charity work there should be ABSOLUTELY NO HIDDEN PERSONAL AGENDA. WE MAKE PERSONAL SACRIFICES AND NOT OTHERWISE. I do not need to elaborate ,as most people are very well informed and many have seen what we all feel are not the sort of things that should be allowed in charities.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR
I think the most effective way to save a life is by applying CPR. This life saving technique is applied in many emergencies including a heart attack or near drowning, in which that person’s breathing or heart beat has actually stopped suddenly. In recent years it has been recommended that anyone, even if one is an untrained bystander should begin CPR with chest compressions ,which you will see being demonstrated today by people in white or green with the Maltese Cross – our St. John Ambulance Sarawak members .
Obviously, it would be a wonderful situation if everyone of us were to know CPR. Many lives would have been saved including people you love the most – your grandparents, your parents, your spouses, your siblings and your own children. You do not want to live with any regret in life so everyone should know CPR and school should include CPR as a compulsory subject.
I appeal to the Federal and the State governments to consider making CPR a compulsory subject in all schools in the country, be they national, international or private schools and in institutions of higher learning.
People living in rural areas ,particularly those in the small villages throughout the country will find that useful in emergencies , even though medical facilities may be limited or not
satisfactory, At least they can rely on CPR to save lives.
I also take this opportunity to appeal to the management of buildings, offices and complexes of all descriptions ,in both the public and private sectors, factories, hotels, shopping malls, schools and places of entertainment to install defibrillators for use in an emergency.
I appeal to them to train all their staffers in FIRST AID, NURSING AND PARTICULARLY CPR. In many developed countries it is now a must and a common sight.
On behalf of St. John Ambulance Sarawak I wish to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the chairman and organising committee, all volunteers, the generous sponsors and the media for their significant contributions to SJAS MASS CPR 2017, which we hope the general public will find it useful.
