THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) yesterday completed a three-day first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training programme for persons who work in the hotel/accommodation industry across Guyana.
The programme drew some twenty-nine participants from twenty-three different hotels across Guyana, and the sessions were conducted at the Guyana Red Cross Society by the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade.
It is a requirement that all staff in the hotel/accommodation industry must be trained and equipped with a valid first aid certificate.
Several of the areas covered during the sessions from May 12 to 14 included guidelines on first aid, emergency scene management, primary survey steps, making a diagnosis, signs and symptoms, fractures, wounds and bandages, types of wounds, bleeding, causes and remedial actions.
PRACTICALS
Practical sessions also formed part of the training. Attendees were given the opportunity to put theory into practice and to demonstrate their skills in administering CPR and the application of bandages. Upon completion of the training sessions, the guides received from the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade a certificate, which is valid for three years.
The GTA recognises that the knowledge of first aid and CPR, particularly in the accommodation sector, promotes a healthy, secure and a safer environment, and instills confidence among visitors, tourists, their colleagues and associates using the services of local operators.
According to the GTA Director, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, industry stakeholders need to develop an appreciation for rules and regulations and recognise that adherence to them by all concerned parties is vital for the proper functioning and development of Guyana’s tourism industry.
Alluding specifically to the importance of first aid and CPR training, he said: “It is important for hotel staff to be able to render assistance whenever necessary. If there is a choking in a restaurant or an accident at the pool, you will be the first responders in case of an emergency.”
He noted too that the GTA is striving to prepare the local businesses to become more competitive and to ensure that these establishments and operations meet the minimum requirements expected by any tourist or visitor at any one of these facilities.