[ACTIVITY REPORT] Hodogaya International Lounge AED Lesson for Foreign Families June 2015

When we find someone collapsed in the street or any of our family members choked while having meal… we might be in a panic. But if we learn some first-aid methods, stay calm and can deal with it, you may be able to save someone's life.

There were inquiries about this sort of session in English or for foreign people, especially those who have young children, so we asked Hodogaya International Lounge and they kindly accepted our proposal.

Hodogaya International Lounge holds International Mothers Gatherings supported by the ward, twice a month (basically 2nd and 4th Tuesday mornings at Iwama Shimin Plaza). The lesson was held on one of their gathering day, Tuesday June 23rd. 

Two officers from Hodogaya Fire Station came to teach us. One of IMCY members translated the leaflet "What to Do If You See Someone Who Has Collapsed"and also worked as an interpreter during the lesson. 

CPR for adults. If the person is unconscious, call other people for help and name one person for calling 119 and another to look for an AED set, then you start CPR. Two hands on the chest and push about 5cm in depth. If the person is a total stranger and you don't feel like comfortable (the person might be bleeding or vomit, which may cause you an infection, too), artificial respiration can be skipped. It takes about 8 minutes for an ambulance to arrive and considering the fact that there have been more and more ambulance calls, it may take more. So continuous cardiac massage is important. 

For young children, you use only one hand. 

For young babies, you use two fingers and you can do it on your lap or arm.

This is one of typical AED sets. This one has two cable-pat sets: one for adults and one for children. This one need to be switched on by the green button, but some starts automatically. The audio instruction will be in Japanese, but English instruction can be written, too. 

Stay away when it analyzes the person's heart and when it gives him/her an electric shock. 

For children, you put the pats one in front and one in back to place the heart in between the pats.

Participants then practiced how to use AED.

We also learned how to get rid of something stuck in the throat. From the back. 

Or push up with a fist. This should not be applied to young babies and pregnant women.

And participants also received gifts! 

We would like to show our deep gratitude to Hodogaya International Lounge, Hodogaya ward and Hodogaya Fire Station.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

If you couldn't make it this time, Hodogaya International Lounge us willing to continue this session, so please stay tuned or you can also give them what exactly you would like to learn.