Vital for community groups to learn lifesaving skills, says Perak Bomba chief

IPOH: Residents' associations (RA) and Rukun Tetangga (RT) sectors should learn basic safety and lifesaving procedures from government agencies, says Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon.

She said it is vital that as many people as possible learn basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); what to do in case of a fire or accident; how to help someone who is choking; and how to face poisonous animals, such as snakes.

“The number one rule in any emergency situation is not to panic. Because once panic mode kicks in, the person’s thinking capacity will be jumbled up.

“Thus the RAs and RT sectors can always engage with the relevant agencies to get help organising such instructional programmes," she said during a department programme at its headquarters here on Thursday (July 27).

Sayani said the department worked closely with the community on fire prevention and safety procedures during water-based activities.

She said other agencies also conducted programmes on emergency situations.

Commenting on the recent case of a four-year-old boy who unknowingly slept on a cobra in his babysitter’s house in Bagan Serai, Sayani said the priority in such cases is to get the child away from the snake.

“There is a possibility that she (the babysitter) was alone at home, but in such situations... the proper knowledge (helps us) overcome emergency situations.

"Lacking this knowledge, the babysitter could not do anything until firemen arrived, so she started recording the incident instead of helping the boy.

“There is usually a pause before a snake bites a person if it feels threatened. The snake would rear its head before attacking, and the child could be whisked to safety then.

“Learning lifesaving skills is never a waste, as you never know when they will come in handy,” she added.