Panchkula: The Chandigarh Citizen Foundation (CCF), in collaboration with the department of anaesthesia and intensive care, PGIMER, Chandigarh, organised a basic life support (BLS) awareness programme at Amartex Industries Ltd, Industrial Area Phase I, Panchkula, on Saturday.Held under Project Basic Life Support, the initiative aimed to equip citizens with practical skills to respond promptly when someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest or collapses nearby. The programme emphasised immediate bystander intervention, noting that timely action within the first ten minutes significantly improves survival rates.Chief guest Gen VP Malik (Retd), president of the Chandigarh Citizen Foundation, addressed the gathering and highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to community welfare and citizen empowerment. Dr Kajal Jain provided an overview of the course, stressing the need to equip ordinary citizens with essential life-saving skills.The 75-minute scientific and practical programme was conducted by a PGIMER team consisting of Dr Kajal Jain, Dr Preethy Mathew, and Dr Jeetinder K. Makkar.During the sessions, Dr Ajay Singh explained how and when to respond to a collapsed person in the vicinity, while Dr Ishita Sood demonstrated single- and two-rescuer chest compression techniques alongside when, where, and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Dr Karan Singla covered first aid in major trauma until medical help arrives, highlighting measures to control severe bleeding, safely handle and move injured individuals to prevent secondary injuries, and follow essential do’s and don’ts when elderly individuals experience slips and falls at home.Special emphasis was placed on early recognition of cardiac arrest, activating emergency medical services, and initiating high-quality chest compressions.The programme concluded with a 30-minute hands-on training session across multiple skill stations, where participants practised chest compressions on manikins under the supervision of PGIMER faculty to build confidence and ensure proper technique.
