Community Safety Programs

THE SHMULIK REICHMANN MEMORIAL FIRST AID/CPR PROGRAM

A very exciting program is soon to be launched in the memory of Shmulik Reichmann z ' l, who was a Hatzoloh Toronto responder. This program will train our high school students to help others by administrating CPR and First Aid in medical emergencies just as Shmulik did in his lifetime.

In Seattle, where this program originated and is mandatory, there is a 30% survival rate among cardiac arrest victims, compared to 2% elsewhere in the United States. This success in saving lives stems from the combination of a CPR trained citizenry with a quick response emergency care system.

Furthermore, 43% of heart attack victims who had CPR immediately administered to them (much of the time by bystanders) were ultimately discharged compared to 21% who had to wait and succumbed to their ailment. Bystanders who had the training made all the difference.

The Toronto program will be launched at the grade 10 level and will give the students certification in life saving techniques. There will then be a follow up re- certification at the grade 12 level.

As with other programs where Toronto has taken the lead, this prototype promises to set a standard that other communities will undoubtedly emulate.

As our students graduate and move on to other communities and cities throughout the globe, with their training in hand, they will no doubt have opportunities to one day make a difference by saving someone's life.

MEDICAL SYMPOSIUM

Our first Hatzoloh Medical Symposium was held on May 10, 2006. This women-only event was held at the Bais Yaakov Elementary school.

There were three doctors on the panel:

1. Dr. Debra Kiez, who addressed "Injury Prevention, How to Stay Safe"

2. Dr. Esther Libman, whose subject was "Learn how to live healthier and longer"

3. Dr. Lazer Freedman, who spoke on "Genetic Screening in the Shidduch world - does it affect you?"

There were over 100 women at the symposium. The event was a great success.

Many thanks to the committee:

Sally Berman

Faige Neger

Sherry Nussbaum

Shaindy Seidenfeld

Aviva Sigler

Estee Zlotnick