Sea Cadets help woman having fits
TS WOLTEMADE Sea Cadets were swift in putting their first aid training into practice when they came to the rescue of a woman experiencing multiple epileptic fits.
On Saturday, the cadets were alerted to a woman in distress after an elderly man had sought help for the woman at the TS Woltemade Sea Cadet training ship in Lakeside.
The woman, experiencing multiple epileptic seizures, was unresponsive and lying on the ground.
After having notified the Officer of the Day and fetching the first aid kit, the Sea Cadet first aid party rushed to the woman’s side, with the Officer of the Day following by vehicle.
Six cadets were at the scene, with three providing first aid for the patient.
After she gained consciousness, the woman’s family were contacted.
“Although I have experienced someone having a fit before, this was the first time that I had experienced someone having multiple fits one after the other. As a result, we needed to think out of the box and adapt our training,” said Leading Seaman Jody Everson, a Grade 11 Steenberg
High learner.
Grade 12 Cedar High School learner Petty Officer Jermaine Abrahams said: “I am grateful that I could be of assistance to her in her time of need. I am just happy that she is safe.”
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Gaylene Pillay said cadets, trained by volunteer instructors, start from the age of 12 and finish at 19.
TS Woltemade has 130 cadets from Lavender Hill, Mitchells Plain,
Hanover Park, Delft, Bonteheuwel, Masipumelele, Ocean View, Kuils River and Atlantis, among other areas.
“We try to teach them life skills to ensure that they become responsible, employable adults,” Pillay said.
Cadets are provided with basic maritime training, firefighting training, First Aid Level 1, Emergency First Aid Responder (Efar), and many other courses.