On the 28th October 2024 the members and guests of Prince Michael Kent of Lodge No 9120 received a demonstration of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) using a Defibrillator.
PMK Lodge is fortunate to have a number of medically trained brethren within its ranks who used their experience and knowledge to create a short demonstration followed by questions and answers.
The DC of PMK, W. Bro Dr Nishal Amin PAGStB, PProvDepGDC, made a short introduction to the value of CPR and getting help quickly to save lives. He was joined by W. Bro Peter Swan MBE, PProvSGD and W. Bro Peter Rhodes PProvGStwd and Barney Hunt PProvAGDC who are paramedics by training or work with the ambulances service and have first aid training.
The demonstration team selected W. Bro Mark Jackson as a likely candidate for resuscitation who promptly collapsed in the middle of the temple. As he was not breathing, the airway was checked to be clear and CPR was given. At the same time a simulated 999 call was made between the team, with W. Bro Peter Rhodes using the emergency call handler’s script. The team performed CPR on candidate, demonstrating this approach with the aid of a Resuscitation Annie. (a doll designed to train first aiders) The team also demonstrated the use of a Defibrillator which are available in the Provincial masonic centres with the TDMC (Twickenham District Masonic Centre) device being located at the side of bar. It was explained that Defibrillators are safe to use and will do all the work for you in terms of checking if there is a heartbeat, when and if to shock and provide guidance whilst help arrives.
The patient having stabilised returned to the Secretary’s Desk and the team answered many informative questions of the team. From these questions it was clear that the talk was helpful and given the advice does change over time there should be scope for updates in the future.
Ed: A grateful thanks is due to W. Bro Mark Jackson for bringing to our attention the potential to be able to save a life if confronted with such a situation. It is not unknown for a Brother to become ill whilst attending a Lodge and there have been fortunate circumstances that I have heard of where there has been somebody with the necessary knowledge to perform life saving procedures. It could be a matter of Life or Death.
