Makassar, Indonesia July 08 2026/PMN-RG/ – A man suddenly collapses in the middle of a crowded street.
People gather around him. Some panic. Some call for help. Others simply watch, unsure of what to do.
Minutes pass.
His heart has stopped beating.
His breathing has ceased.
The ambulance is still on the way.
At that moment, one question becomes more important than any medical technology:
Does anyone know how to save a life?
Every year, millions of people worldwide die from sudden cardiac arrest and respiratory emergencies. Many of these deaths occur outside hospitals, where immediate medical assistance is unavailable. In such situations, survival often depends not on doctors or nurses, but on ordinary people standing nearby.
Unfortunately, most community members have never received proper training in Basic Life Support (BLS) or first aid for cardiac and respiratory arrest.
A community-based initiative in Lamalaka Village, Indonesia, is proving that this can change.
Researchers and health educators conducted a Basic Life Support education and simulation program for local residents. The goal was simple yet powerful: equip ordinary citizens with the knowledge and skills needed to respond quickly during life-threatening emergencies. Participants received educational sessions, practical simulations, and hands-on training based on the 2020 American Heart Association guidelines.
The impact was remarkable.
Before the training, participants had limited understanding of how to respond to cardiac arrest and respiratory emergencies. After completing the program, their average knowledge score increased dramatically from 71 to 96.2. Statistical analysis confirmed a highly significant improvement, demonstrating that education can transform community readiness in emergency situations.
But numbers tell only part of the story.
The real achievement lies in confidence.
People who once felt helpless learned how to assess a victim’s condition, recognize signs of cardiac arrest, perform chest compressions, and provide immediate assistance while waiting for medical professionals. They transformed from bystanders into potential lifesavers.
This achievement directly supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Strengthening emergency preparedness at the community level is a critical component of achieving this goal. Healthcare systems alone cannot reach every emergency immediately. Communities must become part of the solution.
What makes this initiative particularly inspiring is its simplicity. It does not require sophisticated technology or expensive infrastructure. It requires education, practice, and community engagement. A few hours of training can provide skills that may save a parent, a neighbor, a friend, or even a stranger.
In a world where people often feel powerless during emergencies, knowledge becomes a powerful form of protection.
The next time someone collapses unexpectedly, the difference between tragedy and survival may not be the arrival of an ambulance.
It may be the courage of an ordinary person who knows what to do.
Because sometimes, saving a life begins long before the hospital.
It begins with education.
Reference:
DOI. https://doi.org/10.20956/pa.v10i2
Contact:
Dr. Yuliana Syam, S.Kp., Ns, M.Si.
+6281342012733
yulianasyam@unhas.ac.id
