A training session for the RNN consists of two days of training per church, usually with a group of 25-30 trainees fairly evenly split in terms of gender. While the training has thus far been based primarily out of churches (as these are generally large, clean buildings that can accommodate large numbers of people, and are already regarded as centers for the community) the training, however, is open to all members of the community. The communities are chosen based on the results of a survey the RNN conducted last November, where the RNN met with the local pastors, church and community leaders to assess interest in the project. These local figures were part of the initial group trained by the RNN, and they now form a network of connections that the RNN uses, and coordinate which areas the RNN visits. A sample outline of a typical training program is provided below.

 

Training Schedule

Day 1
– 8:30 – Registration
» Each trainee receives a name tag and package including a training manual, notebook and pen
‐ 9:15 – Opening ceremony/worship
‐ 9:45 – Introductory lecture
» Trainees are set up in two rows facing one another;
Trainer talks about the importance and basic principles of First Aid
»Introduces important concepts such as how to check a pulse and assess breathing – “ABC’s” (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
‐ Trainees are divided into 4 groups of roughly 6-8 people, each led by RNN trainers.

These groups rotate through stations teaching different practical skills, hands-on (trainees get much more one-on-one attention by RNN trainers this way)

‐ 10:30 – 12:30 – trainees rotate through two of the four stations, roughly one hour in each
‐ 12:30 – 1:30 – Lunch (community provides lunch to all trainees)
‐ 1:30 – 3:30 – trainees go through last two practical sections
‐ 3:30 – Short tea break, followed by hour long lecture by Trainer covering material such as:

➨ burns
➨ infection
➨ mechanisms of infection and how to recognize and prevent it
➨ infectious diseases
➨ spinal trauma
➨ recognizing possible C-spine and back injury and how to prevent further damage during transport
➨ animal/snake bites
» review of practical skills (eg. demonstration again of CPR)
‐ 4:45 – End for the day
» Dinner provided by local church/families, RNN trainers sleep on the floor of the church

Day 2
‐ 8:30 – Training begins with worship
‐8:45 – 10:00 – Break into the 4 groups again, practice how to recognize possible C-spine
or back injury
‐ 10:00 – 10:30 – ‘Mass Casualties’ exercise – simulated injuries
»trainees are told to leave the training building, four volunteers are selected and assigned ‘injuries’ to act out, then the other trainees are invited to re-enter the building and treat the ‘victims’. 4 simulated injuries are practiced:
➨ choking
➨ multiple fractures (broken arm and leg)
➨ blunt trauma injury (struck by vehicle, possible spinal injury) and unconscious
➨ stroke/seizure (using recovery position)
‐10:30 – Review of Mass Casualties (what they did right, what they forgot/need to do better) – review of major material so far using volunteer demonstrations
‐ 11:00 – 11:45 – ‘Mock Accident’ exercise
➨takes place in the village outside the training centre (for example, alongside the road in the town centre of Palung; in the terraced fields in Namtar). One trainee is the ‘victim’, the rest of the class treats. Involves as many of the skills taught as possible: victim requires immobilization. bandaging, splinting, 8-man lift and stretcher carry of ‘victim’ back to the training building
‐ 11:45 – 12:30 Women’s Health & Nutrition
➨ The men leave the building, the RNN female staff lead the lesson for the female trainees
‐12:30 – trainees provide feedback, certificates are awarded, final remarks and prayer to close the training. RNN donates stretcher and first aid boxes to the care of the community. The idea now is that the church will double as the community’s first aid station. RNN staff then packs up their bags, gets in the car, and heads to the next village on the training circuit.