Within the walls of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, an important international event took place as part of the international “Peremoha” (“Victory”) program initiated by the RPCV Alliance and supported by the U.S. Peace Corps. The event focused on modern methods of providing first aid – simple yet life-saving actions that can help save a person before the ambulance arrives. It was organized by the lecturers of the Faculty of Philology, Psychology and Pedagogy and the Faculty of Physical Culture and Sports for the academic community of the University.
During the event, the following key stages of providing aid were presented: assessment of a victim’s condition (consciousness, breathing, pulse), ensuring airway patency, stopping life-threatening bleeding, and, if necessary, performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. These approaches correspond to international standards, in particular the recommendations of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the European Resuscitation Council, which emphasize the importance of timely intervention by caring witnesses.
Anatolii Levkov, PhD in Medicine, Associate Professor of the Department of Physical Therapy and Ergotherapy at Poltava Polytechnic, and Myroslav Pylypenko, paramedic of the Emergency Medical Aid and Disaster Medicine Station provided students with detailed information on the basic steps of first aid.
The main methods that students practiced during the practical part of the event included:
- Before providing aid, it is necessary to make sure that the scene is safe both for the victim and for those who provide help. It is important to avoid the risk of further injury, contact with hazardous substances, or moving vehicles.
- Next, it is necessary to call an ambulance at 103 or other appropriate emergency services, depending on the situation.
- It is necessary to assess the victim’s condition: check consciousness – gently shake the person by the shoulder and ask, “Can you hear me?”; check for breathing – listen for sounds, observe chest movements, and feel for airflow on your cheek; check the pulse.
- If necessary, to avoid the risk of choking on vomit, the victim should be placed in a stable side position with the head tilted back to ensure free breathing and prevent vomit from entering the airways.
- In case of severe bleeding, apply direct pressure to the wound or use a tourniquet. If the victim is not breathing and shows no signs of life, start chest compressions immediately. Such actions may be decisive before the arrival of medical assistance.
- If an accident occurs during the cold season, it is necessary to keep the victim warm: if possible, cover the person with a warm blanket or clothing to prevent hypothermia, which can worsen their condition.
The organized event increased students’ readiness for extreme situations when emergency medical assistance may be delayed.
Such events at Poltava Polytechnic contribute to developing a culture of responsible response among students. After all, an informed person – any witness of an emergency – can become the very first rescuer whose actions significantly affect the victim’s further condition.
We sincerely thank the RPCV Alliance and the U.S. Peace Corps for their support and long-term partnership.
Media Center of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
