Learning That Saves Lives: ISZL’s High School First Aid Club

When Grade 11 student Josephine returned from her Personal Development Week trip to Wales last September where she worked with humanitarian search and rescue organisation Atlantic Pacific, she came back with an idea that would go on to impact students across the High School. Inspired by the work she participated in during the trip, Josephine was determined to create an opportunity for more students at ISZL to learn first aid.

It is a wonderful example of how experiences in one part of school life can spark opportunities in another, and how student ideas can grow into something that benefits the wider community.

Reflecting on the experience, Josephine shared:

“First aid saves lives. Simple as that. Coming back from my personal development week in Wales, I was inspired by the work of Atlantic Pacific and their mission of humanitarianism through search and rescue. When our instructor asked us if we had a first aid club at our school, I found myself wishing that the answer was yes. Through persistence and help from the school, that wish became a reality.

First aid is a skill anyone can learn and leaves an unimaginable impact: a life saved. Simply knowing this skill creates the difference between life and death. What reason do we have not to learn it? Knowing how to handle a stressful situation with certainty when someone needs it the most is invaluable. First aid is applicable everywhere and to everyone. The goal of the First Aid Club is to inspire the importance of first aid within ISZL so that we all become better members of community and humanity.”

After returning from Wales, Josephine met with Nurse Sylvia and the Activities Coordinator, and together they launched the first ever High School First Aid Course.

To encourage as many students as possible to participate, the course was scheduled on Wednesday afternoons from 16:15–17:30, avoiding clashes with after-school activities and competitive sports training. Interest quickly exceeded expectations, with demand so high that the course ultimately ran across three separate cohorts instead of one (a nice scheduling problem to have!).

In addition to earning a first aid qualification, Josephine went on to support Nurse Sylvia during the second and third cohorts, helping with planning, organisation, demonstrations, and communication. She also assisted the nursing team during the Middle School Track and Field Meet hosted by the ISZL Athletics Department.

Nurse Sylvia was very impressed with the students’ commitment to the First Aid course, and highlighted the journey of two students:

Nina joined Josephine as an assistant, planning, organising and demonstrating. Nina had an experience in a public bus, where she applied her first aid skills to a lady who suddenly fell unwell. Nina has now started an internship in the nurse’s office, which will go over the next 2 years, since she wants to pursue the medical profession.

Josephine initiated the First Aid club and has been helping me incredibly with planning, organising, demonstrating, and managing the GoogleChat groups. She was a super star at the track and Field tournament, where she assisted me. She is eager to learn, very responsible and confirmed she understands and respects confidentiality in a professional manner.

From a conversation in Wales to three cohorts of trained student first aiders, this story highlights the ripple effect that can begin with a single student’s idea. With the support of staff and peers, one student’s idea has grown into an opportunity that is making a real difference across our community.