The tourism sector, one of the lifeblood of the economy of Northern Cyprus, continues to host thousands of local and foreign tourists throughout the year. In this dynamic sector, it is of vital importance that a wide range of professionals, from hotel staff to holiday village staff, from restaurant service personnel to tourist facility employees, are equipped to deal with possible health problems and emergencies, in order to maximize guest satisfaction and to protect the most valuable asset, human life. Basic first aid knowledge has become a necessity, not a luxury, for every individual working in the tourism sector.
In order to raise this critical awareness and to maximize the basic first aid knowledge and skills of personnel working in the tourism sector, Near East University has signed an important collaboration. The “Basic First Aid Workshop”, which was implemented by the university’s Faculty of Nursing and the Faculty of Tourism, aimed to convey the intricacies of life-saving interventions to future tourism professionals in theory and practice.
Life-Saving Information from Expert Academicians
This important workshop, held at the Near East University Irfan Günsel Congress Center, was attended by valuable academicians and experienced health professionals who are experts in their fields. In the opening speeches of the workshop, Tourism Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Nesrin M. Bahçelerli and Nursing Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz drew attention to the critical role of first aid in the tourism sector and emphasized the importance of such training. Throughout the event, the basic principles of first aid practices, which are of vital importance in emergencies, were conveyed to the participants with theoretical information as well as practical demonstrations. The workshop aimed to both increase the awareness of individuals on this subject and to make a significant contribution to social health awareness through the collaboration of different disciplines.
At the workshop, Near East University Faculty of Nursing Dean Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz gave a presentation titled “What is First Aid? Its Importance” and explained the basic concepts of first aid to the participants in detail. Prof. Dr. Yılmaz shared critical information about the correct intervention methods that should be used in serious situations such as skull and spine injuries, chest and abdominal traumas, and also demonstrated first aid approaches for fractures, dislocations and sprains in practice.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nida Aydın addressed the topic of “Assessment of Patients and Injured at the Scene” and provided a comprehensive explanation of basic life support practices, first aid interventions to be performed in different types of bleeding, and correct approaches to be applied in shock situations. Thanks to this presentation, participants had the opportunity to develop their skills in correctly assessing the scene and making rapid and effective interventions when faced with an emergency.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ezgi Bağrıaçık's presentation focused on special situations that can be encountered especially in the tourism sector. Informing the participants about vital first aid practices that should be performed in cases of animal bites and stings, foreign objects entering the body, drowning cases, burns and frostbite, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bağrıaçık emphasized the importance of correct and timely intervention in such cases.
Dean of Tourism Faculty Prof. Dr. Bahçelerli: “Being Prepared is Indispensable”
Dean of the Tourism Faculty of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Nesrin M. Bahçelerli, emphasized that in addition to maximizing service quality in the tourism sector, it is of vital importance to always be prepared in the face of possible emergencies. Prof. Dr. Bahçelerli said, “Having the knowledge and skills to make instant interventions that can directly affect the health of our guests is an indispensable requirement for every professional working in the sector.”
Reminding that kitchens, one of the most critical areas in hotels, are places where not only creativity but also potential risks are high, Prof. Dr. Bahçelerli said, “First aid knowledge also plays a life-saving role in situations requiring emergency intervention, such as cuts, burns, fainting or allergic reactions that kitchen workers may experience. Therefore, everyone who works professionally in the kitchen must be equipped in basic first aid.” Prof. Dr. Bahçelerli stated that with this workshop, they aim to ensure that tourism faculty students learn basic first aid knowledge both theoretically and practically and that they can make conscious and correct interventions in possible emergencies they may encounter in the future. Stating that the event exemplified a successful collaboration between different disciplines, Prof. Dr. Bahçelerli thanked the Faculty of Nursing for their valuable contributions.
Dean of the Faculty of Nursing Prof. Dr. Yılmaz: “It Helps Us Make the Right Decisions”
Dean of the Faculty of Nursing at Near East University, Prof. Dr. Ümran Dal Yılmaz, emphasized that first aid is a life-saving intervention when applied consciously and correctly, while incorrect applications can lead to permanent disabilities and even fatal consequences. Prof. Dr. Yılmaz said, “At home, at work or outside, we can encounter unexpected accidents and situations requiring first aid at any time in our lives. In such cases, a basic first aid kit and the right materials in it are often vital.”
Underlining that first aid applications should only be performed by competent individuals who have received “practical first aid training” and have a certificate, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz said, “Knowing what to do when we encounter emergencies allows us to make correct and fast decisions in the event of panic and increases the effectiveness of the intervention. For this reason, it is of great importance for individuals from all segments of society to receive basic first aid training.” He emphasized the necessity of spreading first aid training. This workshop is considered an important step towards equipping future tourism professionals with this vital knowledge and skills.
