In Case of Emergency: 4 Survival Skills Every Parent Should Have

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In a city which seems to have everything we need in life, it's easy for busy moms and dads to take some skills for granted, not realizing that such skills could spell the difference between life and death in an emergency. Despite the presence of trained authorities, it's still a good idea to seek ways to ensure the safety of our families. ‘At my age?,” you say. Absolutely! Here are a few skills that are never too late to learn, both for yourself and for your loved ones:

Survival Skill #1: Swimming
Why it’s important: Kids are to swimming pools what moths are to flame. Playing in the water is second nature to them; after all, they lived in a big water bath inside you for nine months! Floating devices are not 100% effective, and they are certainly no substitute for a watchful eye. Besides, children aren't always keen on wearing such devices, particularly if they see other kids their age not wearing them. According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury / death worldwide, with an estimated 388,000 cases annually.

Real mom says: “It never bothered me that I didn't know how to swim, until my kids came along. Even though I have help to watch them, I still didn't feel quite at ease letting them be near a pool or the beach. But I realized I didn't want to deprive them of that experience because of my inability to swim, so I decided to take a course on swimming. I was intimidated and a bit embarrassed because I felt so old taking the class, but I just reminded myself of why I was doing it. Now, I can let them roam free in the water, and I can also join in on the fun!” - Mina Santos, 33, mom to Julia,  age 5, and Logan, age 8

Where to enroll: Aqualogic Swim Co. holds classes in Makati and Ortigas area, and offers private lessons to residents of Ayala, Alabang. Parents and children 13 and up can take lessons via their AquaTech program, while kids can learn how to swim via  AquaBabes (3-36 months) or AquaKids (3-12 years old). You can also hold private swim parties. Programs are typically eight lessons at one hour each, (AquaBabes sessions are more or less 30 minutes), once or twice a week.  Fees: AquaTech program - P7,895; AquaKids program - P6,695 and up; AquaBabes program - P5,995. Contact Ria Mackay at +(632) 703-6386 or visit www.aqualogicswimco.com.

 

Survival Skill #2: Driving
Why it’s important: Not having a car is difficult enough, moreso not knowing how to drive. We've all heard horror stories of drivers having heart attacks while they're on the road. If you were the passenger, would you know how to take the wheel in order to avoid an accident? What if you had to rush your child to the hospital, and it's a rainy Friday night in the metro - how fast do you think you can find a taxi if your driver is not available? Remember, in emergency situations, especially a medical emergency, you are racing against time - something you don't have control of if you must rely on someone else to decide where to go, what route to take, and most importantly, how fast you need to get there.

Real mom says: “I used to drive in my home province of Ilocos, but I've always been intimidated to drive in Manila. So whenever I was outside [of Ilocos], I just took taxis everywhere. Then one day, when my newborn had a high-grade fever (I was living in Manila that time), I had to rush him to the hospital, but it just so happened that there was a music concert nearby and taxis were scarce. Every second I had to wait seemed like an eternity, and it was that moment that I decided to take up driving and bring my car down from Baguio. I never want to feel helpless again when it comes to my kids, and learning to drive (at least in a different environment) gave me that power.” - Trisha Mejares, 31, mom to Paulino, age 4

Where to enroll: Smart Driving School has 26 branches nationwide, and offers different courses for beginners and experienced drivers alike. They have free student assessments, driving orientations, and licensing assistance, and you even get to choose what car you want to train with (fees vary). Beginner's courses range from 10-15 total hours, while refresher courses range from 5-7 hours total. Schedules are quite flexible, so you can choose to do either 1-hour, 2-hour, or even 8-hour sessions. Prices start at P2,200 (5-hour total program, with 1-hour per day sessions ). To inquire about enrollment, call the Customer Care Hotline at +63928-5057056, or visit www.smartdrivingph.com.

Tip: Having reliable tires in your car are just as important as knowing how to drive. Goodyear recently launched the Assurance Triple Max with Hydrogrip technology that promises maximum wet grip (for wet roads), improved rubber contact with the road for maximum control, and maximum braking ability for extra security. For more info, visit www.goodyear.com.

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Survival Skill # 3: Self-defense
Why it’s important: As non-violent as we may be as parents, it's hard to say the same for the rest of the world. Unless you're trained in firearms and carry one with you at all times for safety, it'll be very difficult to protect yourself and your loved ones from an immediate threat by an attacker, unless you know some physical hand-to-hand techniques.

Real dad says: “I started Krav Maga last year to get back into shape, and I actually had fun doing it. Krav Maga is for me because it is scientific, very dynamic (changes with the times) and practical (applicable in the real world), PLUS you get a really good work out. I now bring my three kids to train with me every weekend so that they develop discipline, be more physically active (less video games), and learn a practical skill that may potentially save their lives in the future. It is also a very good opportunity to bond with them. My wife might now join us seeing how much fun we have together during training.” - Dennis Balajadia, 36, dad to Nico, age 12, Erika, age 10, and Polly, age 8 

Where to enroll: For on-the-go parents, International Krav Maga Federation in the Philippines (IKMF) offers a variety of weekend training seminars (4 hours training) at their Makati, Ortigas, and QC branches. It is open to people of all skill levels. Seminar topics vary from women-only to “third party protection”, which teaches people how to protect themselves and another person (ie a child) from an attacker. During summer, there are training programs for kids 11 years old and under. Regular training for adults and children 11 years old and above is another option, and every session lasts for about 1.5 hours. Seminar fee is approximately P1,500; price for regular training depends on schedule. Contact Dindo or Jessica de Jesus at +(632) 211-7261, or visit www.kravmaga-ikmf.ph.


Survival Skill # 4: First Aid/ Basic Life Support
Why it’s important: Let's face it, kids will be kids, and cuts and scrapes are inevitable. But what if playtime takes a wrong turn? It's common for parents to suddenly find themselves amid seizures, accidental burns, broken bones, choking accidents, fainting, and other unpredictable circumstances. A number of medical injuries, such as when a child stops breathing, need immediate attention, and you can't afford to sit and wait for paramedics to arrive and rescue your child. Knowing how to recognize and effectively respond to early signs of danger can buy you just enough time to safely get your child to a hospital where the specialists can then take over.

Real mom says: “As a nurse, I'm very familiar with injuries and how to respond to patients. But it wasn't until Karl that I really took [first aid] so personally. It's one thing to care for a patient, but a different thing altogether if that patient happens to be your child. I highly suggest to all mothers that they train in basic life support and first aid basics so that in case something unfortunate happens, they can do something about it that will give their family members the best chances of surviving.” – Liz, 27, mom to Karl, age 9

Where to enroll: Philippine Red Cross offers classes in Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid. There is a specific Basic Life Support class which teaches CPR training for children and infants as well as choking management. First Aid courses cover topics such as how to care for bites, wounds, burns, and other common injuries that need immediate medical attention. Set aside a whole day to dedicate to training - some courses can run up to 8 hours. BLS-CPR classes cost P580, First Aid classes cost P830, but you can enroll to take both classes for a discounted rate of P1,200. Schedules are highly flexible. To enroll, call +(632) 527-8384 to 97 local 128 or 129, or visit www.redcross.org.ph. For other inquiries about the classes, contact Rommel Lozada, manager of Safety Services department, via e-mail at safety@redcross.org.ph.

Tip: Portable defibrillators address the problem of low cardiac arrest survival due to late or ineffective treatment. They are easy to use by anyone. The PHILIPS Heartstart HS1 automated external defibrillator (AED) is the only over-the-counter AED (does not require a medical order for purchase) available today. For inquiries, contact Healthsolutions Enterprises, Inc. at 836-5858.