PHI helps train the trainers to provide life saving interventions in Guatemala.

Imagine if you were the only emergency medical provider in your community but you had only basic supplies and little to no formal training. Sadly that is the situation many of Guatemala's volunteer bombeiros (firefighters) are facing. Despite the challenging circumstances, these amazing men and women are the first line of healthcare in the majority of communities in Guatemala. With the help of PHI medical volunteers and a group of amazing teenagers who joined the mission as live medical actors, PHI organized a 3 day first responder course in Rio Dulce, Guatemala. The purpose of the mission was provide training and education on essential medical evaluation and intervention techniques to a group of 30 bombeiros. Some of the topics addressed included cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and blunt and penetrating trauma. The team provided hands on training for CPR, bleeding control, fracture management, airway support, laceration repair, and many other critical skills during the course of the conference. At the conclusion of the training, education coordinators were identified and the education materials and all supplies needed to replicate the course were provided for future training activities in the surrounding communities. Future missions will assess the impact of this training in the community and identify opportunities for future improvement.