The sikh community living in the UK is known to suffer from a higher than usual rate of diabetes, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease. Genetics, poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle have conspired to increasing the chances of older members of the gurdwara sangat suffering from a cardiac event at any time.
On the 6th December, the Institute of Medical Excellence (IME), Khalsa Save a Life team visited Gurdwara Sahib Ramgarhia Sabha in Derby, UK to put on a refresher CPR course, and to deliver the eagerly awaited defibrillator. The IME team were lead by Dr Jaswant Singh Sumal-a highly trained cardiac anaesthetist who gave a superb talk in Punjabi and English on cardiac arrest and CPR techniques; his talk contained ample humour to lighten the mood for what was a very serious topic.
After the theory, came the practice. Around 20 members of the sangat of all ages were let loose on resuscitation dolls to practice the all important DR-ABC algorithm, standing for ‘Danger-Response-Airway-Breathing-Chest compressions’. This was followed by an excellent demonstration and practice of how to use the purchased defibrillator. The availability of a defibrillator increases the chances of survival after a cardiac arrest by a considerable percentage, prior to the ambulance arriving. Whilst we hope we never have to use it in the gurdwara sahib, the sangat now have the reassurance that instant medical intervention is close at hand in the event of a serious cardiac event occurring.
The IME team consists of a fantastic group of dedicated medics and non-medic volunteers who give up their weekends amongst their busy professional schedules to visit gurdwaras in the UK to train sangat in CPR techniques. However, despite there being over 300 gurdwaras in the UK, the number who have purchased a defibrillator runs into single figures only. It is the teams hope that every gurdwara UK be equipped to save lives.
The gurdwara is going to publicise the availability of the defibrillator to the Methodist church across the road, all local residents and the local ambulance service, so that the Guru’s mission of sarbat da bhalla-service and wellbeing of all is always a priority.
Dr Hardeep Singh
Photos: Dr Jaswant Singh speaking in the divaan hall, practising CPR, defibrillator machine and sangat with certificates.