First Aid Training

More than 50,000 Israelis each year learn the basics of First Aid and resuscitation in courses provided by MDA’s First Aid Instruction Department. Many of the courses are held at the MDA Central First Aid School in Jaffa, named in memory of Dr. Arieh Alotin, the man who initiated MDA’s First Aid training program and directed it for more than 40 years. In addition, MDA instructors also hold courses throughout the country, from the large cities to the small villages. Many of those who have successfully completed the basic and advanced training programs, later serve as volunteer First Aid instructors for MDA throughout Israel.

Special courses are held for members of professions which must cope with emergencies in the course of their work, such as firemen, policemen, aircraft crews, teachers and tour guides. Under a MDA-sponsored law, all drivers of public transportation vehicles must pass a First Aid course as a prerequisite for their license.

All 7th and 8th grade students in the country’s schools are taught a 10-hour course in the fundamental techniques of First Aid. This adds thousands of youngsters every year to the ranks of those who can render assistance in emergencies.

The most intensive training is given to MDA’s own personnel. Every ambulance driver must successfully complete an intensive 120-hour course in all phases of First Aid, including obstetrics. Frequently, ambulance drivers have been needed to deliver a baby en route to the hospital. The pinnacle of the instruction program is the strenuous and very thorough training given to MDA’s Paramedics who are trained to staff the Mobile Intensive care Units (MICU’s).

Intensive Care

Magen David Adom is the first organization in Israel to develop advanced life support techniques outside hospital walls with the introduction of the Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU’s) in 1978.

Resuscitation is one of the most important activities of the EMS system, saving the lives of patients in cardiac arrest. More than 3,000 patients in Israel are resuscitated by MDA teams every year.

Magen David Adom’s Medical Division is responsible for the training of all MDA personnel who work on the Mobile Intensive Care Units, as well as EMT’s, paramedics and physicians.

Magen David Adom utilizes the latest, cutting edge technology, equipment, medical protocols and drugs to provide optimum care for all of Israel’s people.

Volunteer training

The first aid training program required of anyone who wishes to volunteer is 60 hours long for the 15-18 year-old group and 88 hours for the over-18 group is offered for the subsidized cost of approximately $40.00. In return, each volunteer commits to giving at least sixteen hours or his/her free time per month.

The minimum volunteering period is two years and is conditional upon successful completion of the first aid training program - theoretical and practical.

During the training program, volunteers learn cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, approach to patients, treatment of work and road accident related injuries, treatment of drowning and electrocution victims, treatment of infants and children and much more.

Upon completion of the course, volunteers function as part of an ambulance crew or in MDA stations, administering first aid patients. Such work is demanding and requires both concentration and physical strength. The volunteers’ knowledge is updated and refreshed periodically in seminars where the basis of their knowledge is extended and new medical advances are presented.