Every summer, Magen David Adom holds intensive training courses for Israel’s youth. This summer was no different.
Nearly 2,000 youth participated in various courses. Camp counselors learned first aid and school peer counselors learned how to train younger classes in first aid and motivate their involvement in MDA.
Many teens participated in a leadership training course for disaster preparation and management. They learned how to provide advanced treatment when standard medical equipment may not be available. Others became certified in advanced resuscitation and multi-casualty treatment.
The teens were trained using advanced simulation tools, including multi-media games and virtual reality. They practiced various treatment scenarios on one another.
At the beginning of the summer, more than 3,000 ninth graders completed a year of study to become an MDA Youth Volunteer. Some 14,000 youth volunteers work as first responders on ambulance teams throughout the country.
“It’s inspiring to see, year after year, teenagers investing their summer vacation, spending days and weeks learning to save lives,” said Eli Bin, MDA director-general. “Israel’s youth volunteers are a core part of MDA and a significant asset to implementing MDA’s lifesaving mission.”