Mooirivier Beskerming, in collaboration with the North-West University (NWU) Faculty of Health Sciences at the Potchefstroom campus, recently conducted a Stop the Bleed course for members of the local AfriForum branch. This initiative aims to equip community members with essential skills to identify and manage catastrophic bleeding, a leading preventable cause of death.
The training session provided attendees with crucial hands-on knowledge and techniques to handle severe bleeding incidents effectively. Thanks to sponsorship efforts by Aldus Smith, each participant received a tourniquet, a vital tool in stopping life-threatening hemorrhaging. The course was offered free of charge, demonstrating a commitment to public safety and first-response preparedness.
The Need for Specialized Training
The primary reason for this targeted training is that catastrophic bleeding is the number one preventable cause of death in trauma situations. Members of AfriForum were selected for the course due to their active presence on local roads during patrols and their significant involvement in crime prevention efforts. Given their frequent encounters with emergency situations, these volunteers are now better equipped to provide immediate medical assistance before professional responders arrive.
Images from the training session highlight the importance of practical, hands-on learning. One photograph captures an instructor guiding participants through the correct use of a tourniquet, while another shows attendees applying wound-packing techniques to a simulated limb with artificial blood. The engagement in these exercises reinforces the necessity of swift and effective action in trauma scenarios.
A Community-Centered Initiative
By empowering local community members with life-saving skills, Mooirivier Beskerming and NWU are taking proactive steps to enhance public safety. The collaboration underscores the importance of equipping those who are likely to be first on the scene of an accident or violent incident with the knowledge to act decisively.
A separate image from the session shows a classroom setting where an instructor addresses a room full of engaged participants. With visual aids, demonstrations, and discussions, the course ensured that every attendee left with the confidence to respond to an emergency effectively.
The success of this initiative highlights the potential for future training sessions to expand to other community groups, ensuring that more individuals are prepared to handle emergency situations. This partnership between security organizations, academic institutions, and community groups is a model for improving safety and preparedness in local communities.
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