Training Makes Heroes

Greetings from a sodden South Gippsland where after a week of solid rain, we’re experiencing rays of sunshine. Those rays speak of summer, but there will be some troughs before then. No doubt the real warmth will arrive when I head to the northern hemisphere for a Baltic winter work trip.

This week’s stories have been sent in from far and wide, but share a theme. Let’s dig in.

Training is a key element of reactive heroism. You see something happening and your training kicks in to allow you to act immediately. These three people had EMT, CPR, and first aid training. Knowing what to do allowed them to do it. That seems obvious, but it’s missing in a lot of situations.

"Because I'm an EMT, I know that what helped me was that with gunshot wound victims, there is a better chance of survival if the police just drive you straight to the hospital. So, I told them, 'Hey, please drive me straight to the hospital. I'm losing consciousness, we can't wait for the ambulance,' and they drove me." LINK - https://www.ketv.com/article/palestinian-student-shot-vermont-shares-story/45997514#

"I saw that he was trying the Heimlich," she recalled. "But I knew in that case you needed CPR because she didn't seem like she was breathing. I told everyone I knew CPR and it calmed everyone down." LINK - https://abc7.com/cpr-teen-rescues-toddler-swimming-pool-drowning/14106385/

"Most of the time, we just be heroes in our own little ways and we just kind of keep to ourselves and we just come to work every day,” Irvin said. "It was just a different type of day, I guess." LINK - https://wtov9.com/news/local/school-counselors-quick-action-saves-choking-student-during-lunch-hour

If you’re interested in training that will make you more likely to act heroically, we can help. Our online training is always open at https://www.heroicimagination.org/learn.

We’ll also have an in-person training in Paris in March with exact date to be decided. Let me know if you’re interested in signing up for that.

Enjoy the week. Put an extra three seconds into your next hug, enjoy humanity where you can, and get a proper cup of coffee.

Matt