FEU-RCYC highlights real-life immersion to prime future health pros

FEU Advocate
January 26, 2025 18:35


By Mark Vincent A. Durano

Far Eastern University (FEU) - Red Cross Youth Council (RCYC) spearheaded ‘Operation Salvus XV: B.R.E.A.C.H,’ echoing the importance of a mass casualty incident (MCI) simulation and first-aid training for aspiring medical volunteers, last January 19 and 23.

During the first day, held at the Red Cross Manila Chapter in Intramuros, the participants engaged in lectures and demonstrations on disaster management and safety services.

Meanwhile, the second day focused on psychological first-aid training, followed by the main MCI simulation, conducted at the FEU Mini Auditorium and Grounds, respectively.

Participants had to apply their learnings from the lectures by attending to actors roleplaying as victims with designated injuries.

Adapting emergency scenarios, stations, such as a treatment area, command post, hospital, welfare desk, and emergency vehicles were laid to execute the program.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, fourth-year Tourism Management student and one of the proponents Cristian Lhance Quimpo emphasized the importance of exposing students to real-life simulations as preparation for emergencies.

“It helps students stay ready and aware, guiding and teaching them how to respond should those situations or emergencies happen... Making them more confident and capable of providing safety,” he said.

Quimpo also cited the first-aid lectures as insightful in providing knowledge on emergency care to be applied in students’ day-to-day lives. 

Moreover, working committee and Nursing sophomore Shanley Sophia Gungon shared the event’s importance in equipping volunteers with essential skills needed for medical volunteers.

“I really want to be involved in becoming a medical volunteer because I know that experiences like OPSAL [Operation Salvus] can help me to be a competent nurse in the future that will effectively handle patients with care,” she said.

Gungon also mentioned how the entire program showed aspiring medical professionals a glimpse of what to expect in their future careers.

As a flagship program of the organization, Quimpo cited the program’s aim to ignite a sense of purpose and volunteerism among students.

For the project proponent, Operation Salvus also serves as a cornerstone for both aspiring medical practitioners and non-health allied students like him to fulfill humanitarian service.

In a separate interview, participant Rannie James Joya expressed the practical aspect of the event’s aid in his student-nurse journey.

“Nursing is an act of caring for the others with a step-by-step process. Through this event, it really broadens my perspective on how we could provide first-aid to clients in the most simplest way,” he said.

Joya also deemed the exposure to such scenarios as helpful in improving critical thinking and analysis in providing care. 

Besides enjoying the MCI simulation, Level 2 Nursing student Abram Nunag shared the event’s lead to provide necessary skills and practical applications for his future profession.

“This event became a stepping stone for me to reach an advantage in expanding my knowledge about emergency response and care. This experience will eventually provide me an upper hand in advanced situations, benefitting my future profession,” he stated.

According to Nunag, Operation Salvus gave participants the opportunity to grasp how to navigate through catastrophic events.

Operation Salvus is now in its 15th year and is spearheaded by FEU-RCYC’s Disaster Management Services, Safety Services, and Social Services Committees.

(Photo by Melvin James Urubio/FEU Advocate)