One of the greatest gifts that God has endowed humans with is the right to life. Indeed life is precious though one can say that in our age, it is not an absolute one and a thin line divides the right to life and the right to die (or kill). On one side, euthanasia proponents stress the right to die with dignity and others insist on the right to abort unborn children while IVF technology tends to discard frozen embryos.

For those who believe that life should be protected and preserved, the body is seen as an amazing living organism. In every second and with one breath, it accomplishes a marvellous task. The lungs send oxygenated blood to the brain which is then distributed all over the body by means of millions of capillaries. Just three minutes without oxygen and the brain dies leaving the person in a vegetative state, which in most cases is permanent.

One way of preserving and protecting life is through First Aid and in Malta, we are fortunate to have the St John Ambulance Malta Training Branch which organises courses in First Aid covering different aspects in preventing and dealing with accidents both at home and at work. Indeed, it is highly recommended that households and workplaces of every type and size should have a qualified first aid staff to deal with casualties and accidents.

Also many public buildings in Malta (mainly schools) are equipped with AEDs (Automated External Defilibrators), which are computer-operated machines which a trained first aider can operate and allows him/her to perform CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) in cases of heart failure and other accidents. An AED also performs the function of an ECG (Electro Cardiogram). AEDs are very advanced technology-wise and are marvellous pieces of equipment giving the possibility of producing statements by way of printouts of the treatment given to a casualty. They can indicate whether for instance, a casualty requires a pacemaker.

It is useless having such AEDs without the proper staff trained in First Aid to operate them. It is noted that such machines have a battery life of three to four years and about €500 to replace, not to mention the pads which have to be replaced after use and which cost around €80 each. 

In many countries, AEDs and First Aid training are part of the life and culture and many AEDs are also found in parks. In Malta, we need more awareness and development of such a First Aid culture.

It is hoped that the state and voluntary organisations (such as the St John's Ambulance and Red Cross) insist in their campaigns in having more staff and human resources trained in First Aid as well as encouraging AEDs in factories, schools, public places (such as parks) and even at home. Life is indeed precious and all efforts should go towards persevering it and, more importantly, preventing accidents as is humanly possible.

 

Anthony Zarb Dimech