How many teachers could save a child from sure death if that child were to go into an epileptic fit, or anaphylactic shock? Do you even know what those words mean outside of a dictionary definition?

How about sudden acute vomiting or what is the treatment for sudden choking? Many of the most serious situations for children, unfortunately and more than likely the majority of teachers do not have a clue as to how to treat or what to do until a trained medical professional arrives.

I certainly don't, besides some vague recollections of splints from Boy Scouts some 30 plus years ago.

This October, TEN was treated to a magical tour of first aid that was eye opening and took the mystery out of many potential hazards for our students.

Chayada Klinpongsa, International Affairs Coordinator of Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, a respected and experienced nurse, led the assembled faculty, staff and administrators of TEN on a practical guide to first aid in the classroom.

She started by explaining many of the ‘first aid' misconceptions quite common with the public. Then, she went on to give us an understanding of what blood pressure means. Does anyone really know if 120 over 85 is good or bad?

She showed us how to perform a Heimlich maneuver without breaking someone's ribs. I didn't even know that was possible, but evidently it is quite common for the untrained person to do.

One thing that stood out in my mind was her explanation of cardiac arrest and how it must be treated: ABC

Airway - open and clear
Breathing - make sure it's happening
Circulation - check

When someone is in cardiac arrest the first thing to do is make sure their airway is clear and ask them if they are ok. Then call an EMS technician. Follow this by checking their breathing; look, listen, & feel, and lastly check their circulation.

Nurse Chayada went on to explain the various possible challenges that could face an educator in the classroom. We should call an ambulance when faced with

• A high fever above 40 Celsius
• Convulsions and/or spasms
• Severe headache/blurred vision
• Severe stomach ache/severe diarrhea
• Chest pain/difficulty in breathing
• Unconsciousness/shock/semi-consciousness

How many of us know the above treatment for cardiac arrest? I've looked for statistics on first aid training and teachers, but have been unable to find anything. I'm fairly adept at finding odd bits of info as well. How many teachers are actually trained in first aid? It boggles the mind and I had never really thought about it before this month.

The vast majority of us teach children. We take care of their mental capacity to think, deal with their emotional ups and down, and guide them to make valid choices in life. However, when it comes to the likelihood of being able to be there in their greatest time of need, we are sadly out to lunch.

I can't talk for anyone else, but after this month's TEN, I would feel criminally negligent if I did not get more information and/or training in first aid prior to going back into the classroom.

It doesn't take that much time and we could save a life. Anyone of us could go through the rest of our life knowing we had saved the most precious of things in the universe; someone's child, our student.

If you would like a CPR class at your school, Samitivej Hospital can provide one. The Thai Red Cross Society also provides first aid courses.

What I came away with from this month's Ten is an awareness of just what fragile creatures we really are.

For more information, contact Khun Porntip or check out the Samitivej website.

Upcoming Events

► Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Thailand Educators Network Event
Nadha Vikitsreth
Systainability Asia and AtKisson Group
Wednesday, 10 November - 18.00-20.30

► More and more, we are being confronted by today's global challenges whether it'd be poverty, starvation, or the ever-looming threats of climate change. Are we, as educators, doing our best in preparing our students for this increasingly complex and uncertain future?

► Discover how you can effectively integrate sustainability education into your classroom teaching, your curriculum and your entire school's operations and management, while at the same time how to enhance holistic and collaborative learning and curriculum standards.
This interactive presentation/discussion aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is Sustainability Education (referred to by UNESCO as Education for Sustainable Development or ESD) and why is it important for mainstream education?
2. How can ESD be integrated into existing curriculum such as IB or AP in an interdisciplinary way and how does it enhance teaching and learning outcomes?
3. What are some effective tools you can use to bring sustainability into your classroom, whatever subject you teach, and into your entire school?

► Thinking Skills
Thailand Educators Network Event
Maxine Ping
ATOC (Acorns to Oaks Children's Centre)
Wednesday, 8 December - 18.00-20.30

► Of all the skills which are taught in schools, both in Thailand and overseas, perhaps the most neglected area is that of ‘Thinking Skills', as it is assumed that these skills develop naturally along with the acquisition of other skills.

This is to a certain extent true, but how much more could be achieved by our students if these skills were to be taught systematically.

Even as adults, we can benefit from learning and practicing these skills to enrich our lives and enhance our career prospects.

► Maxine, a long time devotee and practitioner of teaching thinking skills, will introduce practical ways of improving your own skills and those of your students in a lively interactive workshop session.

► Meeting Details

TEN events start at 6.00 pm; mini-lectures at 6.40 pm
Non-member - THB 380, Members - THB 280, Includes one drink and snacks
TEN Meets at the Roadhouse Barbecue, Surawong at Rama IV

For more information e-mail me or check out the TEN website. You can also call me on 081 834 8982