Lodge Keys No, 297 in association with GVK Green Health Services trains 32 Boat Drivers in CPR; Creates 818 CPR Brand Ambassadors so far as part of its community outreach initiative called “1000 CPR Ambassadors
Hyderabad, July 29: As part of its mission to create 1,000 CPR Brand Ambassadors, Lodge Keys No. 297, a primary wing of Freemasonry, in association with GVK Green Health Services and with the support of the Tourism Department, Government of Telangana, organised a CPR and AED Training Programme for Boat Drivers at Hussain Sagar Lake on Tuesday evening.
The three-hour programme was conducted aboard Khair-Un-Nissa, a stationary boat anchored in Hussain Sagar Lake, providing a realistic learning environment for personnel engaged in water tourism and passenger safety.
The training was led by Dr. Raja Bharath, Senior Clinical Instructor, Dr. Seem Sunil, Emergency Physician, and Ms. Deepa, Clinical Instructor, all from GVK Green Health Services. Participants received extensive hands-on training using eight advanced CPR mannequins, enabling them to practice life-saving skills under expert supervision.
The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Arun Selgam, Worshipful Master; P. Veerabhadrudu, Secretary; G. Ashok Kumar, Treasurer; and D. Ramchandram, Project Lead of the 1,000 CPR Ambassadors initiative of Lodge Keys No. 297.
Lodge Keys expressed its gratitude to the Tourism Minister, Secretary and Ms. Manavi Jagan, Mr. Mahesh and Mr. Sampath of the Tourism Department for extending their wholehearted support in organising the programme.
A total of 32 boat drivers and support staff representing various water tourism destinations across Telangana participated in the training. They came from Hussain Sagar, Durgam Cheruvu, Saroornagar Lake, Somasila, Egalapenta, Nagarjuna Sagar, Laknavaram, Ramappa, Laknavaram, Koilsagar, Lower Manair Dam (Karimnagar), Kotilingala and Raigir, among other locations.
Giving details, D. Ramchandram, Project Lead of the 1,000 CPR Ambassadors initiative, said that the programme was conceived during the 30th anniversary celebrations of Lodge Keys No. 297 with the objective of training 1,000 members of the general public in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
“With today’s batch of 32 boat drivers, we have now trained 818 CPR Brand Ambassadors. Every trained citizen is a potential lifesaver, and we are steadily moving towards our target of creating 1,000 CPR Brand Ambassadors,” he said.
We have also been addressing free seminars with the help of experts in schools, colleges and any offices or organisations and so far covered 1800 people and we would like to reach a target of 10,000 people through these awareness seminars, Arun Selgam, Worshipful Master of Lodge Keys No. 297 said
Ramchandram added that boat drivers are among the first responders during emergencies on lakes and reservoirs. Since they interact with thousands of tourists every year, equipping them with CPR and AED skills significantly enhances emergency preparedness and improves the chances of saving lives during cases of sudden cardiac arrest.
“I have been operating boats at Egalapenta for several years and have always focused on the safety of passengers. But today I realised that knowing how to save a life during a cardiac emergency is just as important as knowing how to operate a boat. The CPR training has given me the confidence to act immediately if someone collapses. I sincerely thank Lodge Keys No. 297, GVK Green Health Services and the Tourism Department for bringing this valuable training to us. I believe every boat driver in the country should undergo CPR training because every second counts in saving a life”, said — David, Boat Driver, Egalapenta
The programme covered: Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest and recognising emergencies, The Chain of Survival, Hands-only CPR for adults, CPR for children and infants, Rescue breathing techniques, Use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), Managing choking in adults, children and infants, Recovery position and Practical hands-on training and skill assessment using advanced mannequins
The organisers appealed to educational institutions, resident welfare associations, corporate organisations, industries, transport operators, government departments and community organisations to take advantage of the free CPR training programmes being offered under the initiative.
“Every CPR-trained citizen is a potential lifesaver. Together, we can build a safer and more prepared society,” the organisers said.
The participants were given away certificates at the end of the training program.
Organisations interested in organising free CPR training for their employees, members, communities, in apartments or volunteers may contact Lodge Keys No. 297 on Mobile: 9848042020