A health education initiative in Punjab is actively working to equip young people with vital emergency first-aid skills, aiming to create a generation of immediate responders capable of saving lives during critical medical situations. The Life Savers League, spearheaded by local health advocates, is focusing on teaching hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other essential emergency response techniques.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the initiative is being driven by Dr Juppan Sandhu, based in Amritsar, and Ludhiana-based youth leader Neerav Bansal. As CPR and AED Awareness Week commences from June 1 to June 7, the Life Savers League is intensifying its efforts to promote crucial student habits, including regular exercise, adequate sleep, and the critical practice of hands-only CPR. The organization is also engaged in fundraising activities to support heart health education and research.
The Life Savers League operates as a community-driven awareness program under the umbrella of the OTT Foundation. Its core mission involves conducting inclusive awareness camps designed to impart essential lifesaving skills to youth, educators, parents, workplaces, and communities. These sessions emphasize practical training and preparedness for emergencies, aiming to foster a proactive approach to health and safety.
A recent workshop, held at Doon Public School in Amritsar, was conducted in collaboration with the ‘Each One Save One’ initiative. This particular initiative is championed by Dr Raman Chatrath, a prominent advocate for CPR awareness and emergency response training. The partnership underscores a concerted effort to integrate lifesaving education into the fabric of the community.
Organizers highlighted the increasing prevalence of sudden cardiac arrests, particularly among younger individuals in India, emphasizing the critical need for basic CPR training as an indispensable lifesaving skill. The immediacy of response is often the deciding factor in survival rates, making widespread knowledge of CPR paramount.
“Immediate hands-only CPR can significantly improve survival chances by sustaining blood flow to the brain and vital organs until professional medical help arrives,” Dr Sandhu stated, underscoring the direct impact of bystander intervention. His involvement signifies a commitment to community health outreach and preventive care, particularly for the youth demographic.
The campaign is being implemented as a broad outreach drive, extending its reach to government schools, private institutions, and community-based educational settings. This inclusive approach ensures that lifesaving awareness transcends social and economic barriers, making essential knowledge accessible to young people from diverse backgrounds. Similar programs have already been conducted at Government Senior Secondary School, Naushera (Majitha Road), and Majha Public School in Tarn Taran, featuring interactive sessions and practical CPR demonstrations.
Hundreds of students have actively engaged in training exercises, focusing on the precise techniques required for effective chest compressions. Dr Sandhu, in his capacity as director of operations at OTT Foundation, has consistently been involved in community-driven health and awareness initiatives that prioritize youth engagement and preventive healthcare strategies. His leadership is central to the foundation’s mission.
Neerav Bansal, a student at The Doon School, Dehradun, brings a youthful perspective and grassroots understanding to the initiative. His association with social impact and healthcare outreach programs, especially concerning paediatric cardiac awareness and community mobilization, provides valuable insights and energy to the Life Savers League’s efforts.
In Amritsar, a dedicated team of CPR training partners, including Dr Shivika Aggarwal, Dr Jasleen Saini, and Dr Sukhman Gill, are instrumental in conducting sessions. They provide training on hands-only CPR and foundational first-aid techniques, while also promoting healthy lifestyle habits among students and the community. Their local expertise ensures the training is relevant and accessible.
The initiative further benefits from the support of Baby Step Kids Clinic and Vaccination Centre, led by Dr Latika Uppal, which serves as the program’s official paediatric healthcare partner. This collaboration ensures that the health and well-being of young participants are prioritized throughout the initiative.
Medical experts involved in the program, such as Dr Chatrath, have emphasized the time-sensitive nature of cardiac emergencies. They note that every minute without CPR drastically diminishes survival prospects, making immediate bystander awareness and rapid community response critically important, particularly in a country where factors like traffic congestion can often delay crucial emergency access and impact patient outcomes.
“Through strong healthcare, educational and grassroots partnerships, Life Savers League aims to nurture a generation of informed first responders and build safer, more prepared and heart-safe communities, where every second can save a life,” Dr Chatrath remarked, outlining the long-term vision of creating resilient communities prepared for medical emergencies.
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