Mark on your calendars: our health volunteer program will begin on June 30th. It’s called “Little Lifeguards,” a long-term OTL project supported by IPDJ and it includes a volunteer, Diogo. The main objective of this public health project is to promote knowledge about the human body, priority anatomical areas, and basic first aid techniques. We’ll support Diogo, a medical student, in implementing the project he designed from start to finish.
Objectives
This project, which will last approximately three months, aims to develop:
A) A survey of the parish’s population’s knowledge about first aid and local health facilities;
B) A practical first aid workshop for children and youth;
C) A workshop on basic anatomy and physiology of the human body focusing on priority areas in times of emergency;
D) Initiate a group discussion on healthy lifestyle habits and how these could be used for prevention;
E) Small group dynamics on valuing life and the right to equal access to health care;
F) Creation of digital health information material for the general public;
Activities
a) Distribution of a questionnaire to conduct a detailed survey of the village population’s knowledge of basic life support (BLS). This questionnaire will cover crucial aspects, including theoretical knowledge, assessing understanding of basic BLS principles, such as the chain of survival and the steps to follow in emergency situations. It will also focus on practical skills, exploring familiarity with techniques such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
b) Development of practical workshops based on the principles of non-formal education in basic life support. In fact, young people will have the opportunity to learn and practice crucial BLS techniques and even how to contact emergency services quickly and effectively, providing accurate information. They will also learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques, including chest compressions and ventilation, adapted to their age group.
c) Development of a workshop dedicated to exploring creative ways to disseminate knowledge about basic life support (BLS) and the importance of caring for one another. Participants will be invited to reflect on the importance of caring for one another, exploring different perspectives and experiences. Through group dynamics and open discussions, topics such as empathy, compassion, and social responsibility will be addressed.
IMPACT
Participants are expected to be able to act confidently in emergency situations, identify and correctly use first aid kit materials, adopt healthy lifestyle habits, value life and health, and become knowledge multipliers by sharing it with friends and family. A more aware and capable Aguada de Baixo is expected!
However, “Little Lifeguards” isn’t just intended to benefit Aguada de Baixo: it also promotes the development of a variety of skills for the volunteers themselves. In fact, this project aims to give Diogo the space and support to connect new areas with his healthcare training. It’s undeniable that implementing the project will foster his independence, and he is expected to develop communication, time and resource management, and other skills.
For more information about «OTL Longa Duração», you can visit this site as it is part of the official page of IPDJ. Wanna know more about CAAB? Visit our Project page.