Sport is fundamental for health but must be practised in all safety. Therefore, Hospital da Luz Oeiras took its project “Luz em Ação” (Luz in Action) to Mário Wilson Municipal Stadium , last April 20, to provide training in Basic Life Support (BLS) to the younger athletes of Associação Desportiva de Oeiras. This training involved around 40 children aged between 10 and 12, who compete in the modalities of gymnastics, roller hockey, and figure skating in that sports association. Everyone has shown great enthusiasm in learning and participating, moreover counting with the presence of Lu, Hospital da Luz mascot, who always generates great excitement. Along the training, the children learned to identify when someone is in cardiorespiratory arrest, how to call 112 and answer to the questions posed, how to place the victim in recovery position, and what airway clearing manoeuvres to apply in case of choking. Afterwards all the children had the opportunity to train BLS manoeuvres on manikins, namely chest compressions – and test their newly acquired knowledge in the “Lu’s Game”. All of this mixed with many questions posed to the Hospital da Luz Oeiras training team, comprised by doctors, nurses, and medical assistants from the Emergency Service, who engaged in the initiative with great enthusiasm right from the outset. This was the second session of the project “Luz em Ação”. The premiere took place in February with children from the Associação Desportiva de Oeiras football team and has received much praise by parents and trainers, who highlight the pedagogical character of this training, alongside the fun. Hospital da Luz Oeiras regularly organizes initiatives near the community in the context of its commitment to the promotion of health. The qualification of the population in BLS manoeuvres and raising awareness to a culture of safety are fundamental and we aim to reach an increasing number of children. The project “Luz in Action” will continue to grow!
