Bandage International, a non profit organization based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada is a group of emergency medical professionals including paramedics, nurses and doctors, who are devoted to implementing and improving primary emergency medical care in developing countries. Since its inception in 2005, Bandage has been to Belize twenty times, training medical professionals such as doctors and nurses, and pre-hospital responders including: paramedics, laypersons, disaster response personnel such as the Red Cross and other NGOs.
This year the team of four, led by president of Bandage International Darryl Chickness,along with a film crew, had four training destinations on their itinerary while in Belize. These places included San Ignacio Town, La Loma Luz Hospital in Santa Elena Town, Cayo District, Punta Gorda Town, and Ambergris Caye. This years training program encompassed CPR methods for adults, children and infants, medical emergency response in the events of water emergencies, heart attacks, strokes, asthma attacks, seizures, and other primary care techniques including: bandaging, splinting, tending to burns and learning to use Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
The Bandage International team collaborated with the Belize Red Cross on Ambergris Caye where they carried out a two-day First Aid Training on Wednesday November 6th, and Thursday November 7th at El Divino Restaurant. At a cost of $50 per person, 28 people from various local businesses were certified in First Aid, along with a few San Pedro Red Cross Volunteers.
Businesses that sent staff to be trained included: Elvis Kitchen, Spiez Pharmacy Victoria House Resort, South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch, Romantic Travel Belize (sponsored by tacogirl.com) Consolidated Water and Grand Caribe and Coastal Xpress.
On Saturday November 9th, Bandage International presented Maya Island Air with a Life Pak 500 Defibrillator (AED). Defibrillators are portable devices used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. These devices check the heart rhythm and can send electric shocks to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. In addition to being long time friends of Bandage International, often providing the crew with discounted and complimentary flights, Maya Island Air also received this donation based on their central location, whereby this machine can be utilized on a larger spectrum in instances of emergencies.
Bandage International would like to extend gratitude to all those who support their missions. Supporters include: Red Cross, Royal Caribbean Resort, Victoria House, and Ultimate Golf Carts, Maya Island Air, Elvi’s Kitchen and Banana Beach Resort.