The II International Rescue Competition in Ukraine
The II International Rescue Competition took place in Berehove (Ukraine) from 2nd to 4th of September 2016. 16 teams from Poland, Ukraine and Hungary took part in it. Volunteers from Maltijska Służba Dopomocy from Iwano-Frankiwsk won the competition. The Rescue Competition is one of the results of developmental programme run by Order of Malta Poland. This project is co-financed by polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During three days in Berehove, located in Zakarpattia Oblast (province) in western Ukraine, near the border with Hungary, 64 rescuers-volunteers of Order of Malta from Poland, Ukraine and Hungary were competing in various tasks. 16 teams took part in II International Rescue Competition. Ukraine was represented by teams from 7 cities: Kiev , Lviv, Ivano- Frankivsk, Yuzhnoukrainsk , Berehove , Zaporozhye and Mariumpol. All rescuers from Ukraine are trained in first aid by paramedics from Maltese Medical Corps Fundation from Poland. Participants struggled with 6 tasks – sham accidents and was graded by professional paramedics from Poland. The role of victims was played by volunteers.
(foto Marichka Panchak)
The goal of the competition was not only to improve practical skills in conditions maximally similar to real ones, but also to build better cooperation and integration of Maltese volunteers from Poland, Ukraine and Hungary. It was also another opportunity to meet with each other, after World Youth Day.
„I’m impressed by the level of medical skills of participants. I’m sure that competences achieved in this project will bring benefits for many years. I hope that cooperation with Poland will be continued” Barbara Michałowska from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland admitted.
(foto Marichka Panchak)
The first task was to help person, who drowned. The victim wasn’t breathing and it was necessary to start CPR. The quality of resuscitation was evaluated by special software. Next task was unexpected. In the middle of the night rescuers were called to sham mass disaster.
In the distance of around 1 km, in the forest, 6 victims were waiting for help. On-site participants had to find the victims, assess their condition and plan the priorities of the evacuation, protect wounds and make evacuation to the field hospital.
On Saturday, near historic cathedral in Berehove, the official opening ceremony took place. Guests and participants were greeted by Roman Yaruczyk – leader of Maltijska Służba Dopomocy Iwano-Frankiwsk. The other speakers were: Barbara Michałowska from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland, representative of Hungarian consulate office, representative of Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Situation, representative of embassy of the Order of Malta in Ukraine Andriy Khanas and Marcin Świerad, member of Order of Malta Poland.
(foto Katarzyna Baluch)
“I’m really happy that thanks the cooperation with Poland, Maltiyska Sluzhba Dopomogy can develop rescuers and education activities. Also strong friendship between volunteers from Poland and Ukraine is really important for us” said Damian Zadeberny, president of the board of Maltese Medical Corps Fundation.
After the official opening ceremony rescuer’s teams started their tasks in four different locations in the city. Participants provided first aid for the victims of car accident and a person who fell down during repairing work. During third task rescuers helped young women with heart attack. After a few minutes her friend, who was holding a baby got epileptic attack and also needed help. The last task was to take care of the young men who suffered from a leg amputation while cutting a tree.
(foto Marichka Panchak)
„Both me and all referees are under the huge impression. Teams acted in really professional way, especially during the night task” summarized Mariusz Zawada, commander of the competition, member of the board of Maltese Medical Corps Fundation.
On Sunday, after common Holy Mass, the best teams received the awards. The special prize for the best cooperating team went to the team from Yuzhnoukrainsk. The best foreign team turned out a be the team from Katowice. The commander’s prize was the special, surprize award for the best team during night task (person who started to drown). Three volunteers from Iwano-Frankiwsk, who took part in last year’s training, won a cup. This year girls were working as translators. 
(foto Marichka Panchak)
The team from Mariupol won the third place. Second prize went to the team from Kiev. Champions of International Rescue Competition was team from Ivano-Frankivsk. An additional prize for the winning teams was the invitation for rescue competition in Poland, which will take place on 23-25 September.
Competition was a part of the project “Developing a rescue volunteer system in Ukraine” co-financed by polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs from programme “Polish Aid”. It’s the second year of the program. The program focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in the field of first aid.
During two editions of the project, 180 people in Ukraine took part in first aid courses. 130 people was trained in qualified first aid. This courses were running by coaches from Maltese Medical Corps Fundation from Poland. New rescuers from Ukraine received also professional equipment to save people’s lives and to train their own skills: first aid kits, medical equipment, personal protective equipment, protective clothing, means of communication, tents, AED defibrillators, professional phantoms and other medical and training equipment.
One of the effects of the project was participation in providing medical service during World Youth Day by 40 volunteers from Ukraine. In their daily work volunteers who took part in first aid courses provided medical service during religious, cultural and sport events. They also ran their own first aid courses.
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