Bringing the Community Together: First Aid Training at St. Casimir Lithuanian School
Children are our greatest joy, and every one of us wants them to grow up healthy and safe. Yet unexpected health issues or injuries can instantly disrupt their everyday lives. That is why first aid knowledge is not just a useful skill, but a vital necessity. Responding to this need, the organization “Lithuanian Children’s Hope”, in collaboration with St. Casimir Lithuanian School, organized interactive first aid training for parents.
A child’s condition can change very quickly. What may seem like a minor issue at first can rapidly become a critical situation. In such moments, it is essential that those nearby – parents, grandparents, or educators – can assess the situation and act immediately with the correct first aid response. This understanding was at the heart of the training.
The event was organized following an invitation from school principal Marytė Newsom, with important contributions from “Lithuanian Children’s Hope” committee members Povilas Žemaitaitis, Brigita Budginas, and Liudas Deveikis, who played a key role in making the event possible. The training itself was led by Povilas Žemaitaitis and Brigita Budginas, who shared both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.
Over the course of several hours, participants explored essential topics, including how to assess a child’s condition, how to perform basic life support (CPR) when a child or infant loses consciousness or stops breathing, and the importance and use of the “LifeVac” choking rescue device.
The training placed strong emphasis not only on theory but also on hands-on practice. Parents had the opportunity to practice life-saving techniques using child- and infant-sized mannequins, as well as to try the simple, safe, and effective airway clearance device “LifeVac”, designed to assist both children and adults during choking emergencies.
At the end of the session, “Lithuanian Children’s Hope” president Rasa Šilkaitis presented the school community with a “LifeVac” device, expressing the hope that it would never need to be used in a real-life emergency, while emphasizing its importance in critical situations.
The event was met with great interest and positive feedback from the school’s parent community. Participants highly valued the practical knowledge gained and the confidence it provided in responding to emergencies. This once again highlighted the importance and relevance of child safety and health topics, as well as the need for initiatives like this within the community.
