BASIC emergency course and triathlon module lecture and face-to-face training will be given to medical teams from local government units that cover the 70.3 triathlon race area, a doctor from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) said.
SPMC Emergency Medicine Doctor Mark Emmanuel G. Balag, in an interview with the City Information on Tuesday after the Alveo Ironman Walkthrough, said that the training will cover the usual emergency cases and expected medical cases that may occur during mass participation events such as the triathlon.
“The [triathlon] module lecture was derived from the previous Ironman event na na-identify namin yung emergency cases at expected na medical cases na ma-encounter sa ganyang event and with that gumawa kami ng module para lahat ng mga responders at part ng medical team is aware sila on how to manage these cases, for example, mga cases ng hypothermia, electrolyte imbalance, seizure, poisons such as mga sea urchin and jellyfish sting (The triathlon module lecture was derived from the previous Ironman emergency cases we have identified emergency cases and expected medical cases, which can be encountered in such event. With that, we made a module so that all the responders and part of the medical team are aware of how to manage these cases – for example, cases of hypothermia, electrolyte imbalance, seizure, and poisons such as sea urchin and jellyfish sting),” Balag said, adding that triathlon is a unique event and medical emergencies are not usually encountered in other events.
Balag said that in Davao City, they required 40 participants because of the number of stations.
“It is where the run station and bike station and most of the stations are located. We also require representatives from LGUs [local government units] including Carmen, Tagum, and Panabo,” Balag said.
He said that the training will be in two parts and the online seminar is set on March 9 to 10 while the face-to-face training is on March 16 to 17. During the face-to-face training, they will have to assess medical responders if they know Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and if they know how to reduce temperature, among others.
He said that they plan to place 21 medical stations covering the three events: swim, bike, and run.
Balag was among the agency representatives present during the Alveo Ironman Walkthrough with city officials, Ironman organizers, and agencies, and a courtesy call with municipal and city officials of Carmen and Tagum City last Tuesday. Other offices present during the Walkthrough are the Department of Public Works and Highways, City Sports and Development Division, City Transport and Traffic
Management Office, Public Safety and Security Office, and many more.
Davao City Assistant City Administrator Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, together with Princess Galura, of Ironman 70.3 Philippines, General Manager of Sunrise Events led the courtesy visit with local government unit heads of Tagum and Carmen. (CIO)