Journalists have learned to provide first aid
A group of 15 journalists was trained to provide first aid in emergency situations. They participated in a specialized training program on November 18, 2022, organized by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) in partnership with the Ministry of Defense. The training took place on the territory of Military Camp No. 142 in Chisinau, and the trainers were Victor Spinei and Nicolae Coman, employees of the Ministry of Defence.
The training was a follow-up of the training “Journalism in wartime”, conducted by the IJC on March 4 and 5, 2022, which helped the participants to better understand what the work of journalist involves in times of conflict and to become aware of the risks to which they are exposed when reporting from war zones.
The training focused on the main aspects of first aid and considered both theoretical and practical aspects. Initially, the participants got acquainted with medical equipment and the general basic principles of providing first aid, after which they practiced applying the tourniquet to stop bleeding, performing the bandage and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In the practical exercises of providing first aid, they used the methods MARCH (massive hemorrhage, airway, respirations, circulation, head injury/hypothermia) and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
Participants showed interest in what they learned, noting that knowledge of first aid can come in useful in times of peace, too.
Journalist Cristina Ghermanschi from Sanatate Info portal found that the experience was extremely useful, saying that every journalist should know the main methods of providing first aid.
Journalist Felicia Cretu from CU SENS media project believes that any journalist might become a war journalist, willingly or not, therefore, this knowledge is necessary. “When you are faced with the fact that you have no time to learn at that moment, you must be prepared in advance to react immediately,” she said. .
Journalist Sergiu Culeac noted that the concerns or the context of this spring oblige us to know aspects related to the provision of first aid.
In the end, each editorial office received a first-aid kit as a gift from the IJC.
The training was organized by the Independent Journalism Center as a partner in the project “Media Enabling Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability in Moldova” (MEDIA-M), funded by USAID, UK and implemented by Internews. The MEDIA-M project aims to promote the development of independent and professional media in Moldova, giving citizens access to a diversity of perspectives and contributing to the strengthening of the media sector against political and financial pressures.
