Becoming A Better Citizen

I couldn't save him.

Shortly after dusk, the conditions were made worse by the driving rain and a planned power outage in the area—treacherous conditions for a man on a motorcycle.

Under normal conditions, the slight bend in Outspan Road would've been easy to navigate. Shifting his weight to the left would've been enough to lean into the corner and be on his way. But not today. His bike ran wide and directly into slow-moving oncoming traffic.?

We saw it happen.?

My wife and I had been looking forward to dinner with friends. We were excited to see the progress on their home renovations. They also had new dogs. We were looking forward to meeting them.

That would have to wait.

Be A Good Citizen.

Through the metronome of our windscreen wipers, we'd seen the horrific accident and arrived on the scene a few seconds later.

"Is it safe to stop?" I asked. My wife nodded.?

We parked the car on the pavement and out of harm's way.?

"Please be careful, Paul! I'll call the ambulance and lock the doors."?

I jumped out and grabbed my well stocked and never before used medic bag. Pulling the high-visibility vest from the first pouch, I realised there was no raincoat. All the planning in the world, and I didn't pack a bloody raincoat!?

The M.A.R.C.H treatment algorithm from training went through my mind as I ran back towards the scene.

Acquire The Skills.?

Months earlier, Richie Quan was looking into advanced first-aid courses.

"Buddy, if you don't have the skills, what will you do if you need them?"

We signed up for "Stop The Bleed & Trauma Essentials" with Deployed Concepts in Northcliff, South Africa. The one day course teaches ordinary citizens life-saving fundamentals.?

The instructors are no ordinary academics. These guys are battle-hardened medics with years of experience deploying into some of the worlds most dangerous and austere conditions.?

Their experience showed.?

I've always felt that the best teachers can simplify complex subjects.

That's what they did.?Well, they simplified the subject so that we could understand it. And then the drills started—simulations designed to test our knowledge and teach us to perform under pressure.?

I couldn't believe how much progress we'd made in just one day.

We repeated the courses over the following weeks and began doing drills at home.??

RED ZONE.

Cars were still driving past the accident. And due to the rain, visibility was getting worse. A small group of bystanders was starting to gather.?

"No treatment in the RED ZONE," I told myself. "You can't help anyone if you get knocked down too." The training was kicking in.

"You and you", signalling two willing bystanders. I introduced myself and gave them each a torch from my backpack.?

"Stop the traffic and divert them well away from the scene."?

"Just don't stand in the road!" They rapidly complied. Only too happy to help.?

YELLOW ZONE. Good. I got to work.?

"Hey buddy, stay with me! I'm here to help you!"?

I prepared to follow the treatment algorithm refined and proven on the modern battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan

I assessed him. It was too late.?

The entire process had taken less the two minutes.?

I took a space blanket from the medic bag, unfolded it and carefully covered his body. I said a short prayer, but words generally failed me.?

Serve The Community.

It took the ambulance only 11 minutes to arrive on the scene.?

11 minutes. It's crazy how much can happen in 11 minutes.?

We debriefed and called the South African Police Services (SAPS) to take over.?

The medic asked:

"Who are you? What were you doing here?"

My wife and I just happened to be in that area at that time. And, thanks to the team at Deployed Concepts and Richies initial suggestion, I had the skills required when someone needed them.?

It could've made the difference.

Keep Training.?

A one day course is a great start.?

Once you realise just how much of an impact you can have and how much there is to learn, you'll?want?to keep on training.?

During the recent looting in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng, ordinary citizens stood shoulder-to-shoulder to defend their families and their homes.?

Leading these groups were good citizens. People who've acquired the skills necessary and then spent years refining them?

Be a good citizen—Aquire the skills. Then keep training.?

One last thing:

DELTA CHARLIE. DELTA CHARLIE. GET TO DA CHOPPA!