Baruch Raff
- RESPONDER
Growing up in Maharsha where Hatzolah was initially based, I was exposed to Hatzolah from
its inception. Iwas always fascinatedby the speed andmobilisationof the teamon call.
One day, I had a near tragedy of my own, when a family member of mine started choking at a
braai. It was after that incident that I signed up to do a course with Hatzolah because I never
wanted to feel that sense of helplessness, not knowingwhat todo, ever again.
I did a Basic Ambulance course through COJEMS and Hatzolah. The course was designed to
provide uswith the ability to respond tomedical emergencies, to assess the patients correctly
and to treat and transport them to the correct medical facility. I also attend amonthly training
session, run by Hatzolah that provided me with the sufficient CPD points that I need to
maintain my qualification. This regular training also helped me meet the requirements
needed by the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa), who regulate the standard
of allmedical personnel in SouthAfrica.
Hatzolah has been an eye opening and humbling experience for me. It has really made me
appreciatemy family and health. I've also learnt that medical emergencies don't discriminate.
I've been on calls to mansions and servants quarters and treated old and young people, some
who have big support systems and others that are alone. Through Hatzolah, I've gained a
whole newcircle of friends and colleagues, peoplewho really give up somuch tohelpothers.
Despite the many other commitments I have in my life, Hatzolah will always take top priority
and I will always try andwork as many shifts as I possibly can. I've been involved inmany cases, one of which I had to crawl into
the destroyed car at the scene of an accident to keep the trapped driver calmuntil the firefighters cut her out with the jaws of life.
But one of the most rewarding cases was when I was despatched to a diabetic patient who was hypoglycaemic (low sugar). A
fellow team member immediately set up a line and administered Dextrose, a miracle drug we were so often told about while
training. It was there that I got to see the drug in action for the first time. At first the patient thought she was in heaven with the
angels and then about 20 minutes later we left the scene leaving behind a stable healthy person. It was almost impossible to
imagine that this patient was in a life threatening situation just minutes before. There is nothing quite like that moment when
you realise that you've just saved someone's life.
RESPONDERS
Moshe Lichtenstein
- RESPONDER
The South African Jewish community is blessed with the most phenomenal social
infrastructure per capita. We are fortunate to have the incredibly high standard of emergency
medical care provided by Hatzolah. Having studied amedical Bsc and being passionate about
the community, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of an organisation that services such
a crucial needwith an immense level of sophistication.
In 2014 we embarked on an intensive three month course in order to become certified Basic
Ambulance Assistants (BAA). The course was extremely professional, comprehensive and
practical. We coupled the formal academic principles of emergency medicine with hands on
practical equipment training at the Hatzolah house and patient care at the Johannesburg
General Hospital.
Working as a Hatzolah volunteer, I have gained the privilege to be able to give. This privilege
not only serves our dear community, but often extends to the broader communities in South
Africa aswell, which is a tremendousKiddushHashemand something that I cherishdearly.
What is rewarding for me, is responding to every call, working with other EMS services and
delivering patients to hospitals while wearing a Kippa and representing a non-profit
organisation that delivers suchhighqualitypatient care.
Every call that I have responded to has been interesting for me. In each case, we respond to a patient that presents with unique
characteristics of common illness ormechanisms of injury. The calls that stick out inmymind, aremotor vehicle accidents that
involve smooth integration with other emergency medical services. Often these scenes are under the management of the
Hatzolah team, basedonour fast response times and level of qualifications.
