A different working day for a while: Selected staff members of Rhulani Safari Lodge spent almost a whole week in the classroom and took part in a "First Aid Course", conducted by Africa SAFE-T. This is part of our safety & security measures and benefits our guests.

As we are a five star lodge located 100 km from the nearest town, it is important for us to have access to a first class and quickly available medical service for our guests and our employees. Rhulani Safari Lodge is a member of Africa SAFE-T, a leading company for remote risk and medical emergency management on the continent of Africa.

Among many services, Africa SAFE-T offers to us Medical Risk Assessments, Emergency Response Planning, Emergency Equipment and Medication, Incident Management, and onsite Remote Medical Support, which we can call over the radio 24 hours a day.

Last week, however, "Capacity Building" was on the agenda. The goal was to update our knowledge of First Aid and to ensure that we have at least one trained person in each department who can provide first aid in an emergency.

Franseau Le Roux, who is based in Madikwe and our contact person of Africa SAFE-T, directed the course from Monday to Saturday. In addition to theoratical lectures in our conference room, many practical exercises were performed, where everybody had to participate actively. From Rhulani's team attended the course: Riaan and Alasdair (field guides), Moses (Front of House), Mavis (Chef), Pauline (Spa Therapist), Ernest (Barman), Michael and George (Night Guards), Richard (Maintenance) and Cynthia (Housekeeping).

The participants acquired new practical skills in a fun and interactive learning environment. At the end of the course, everybody was able to recognise life-threatening situations and to offer vital assistance before more experienced help arrives. Some of the modules were especially designed for the bush environment, such as the handling of snake bites, bandaging and splinting or spine board training.

On Saturday, a test completed the program. But rather than the result on paper, for all staff members counts the certainty to have learned something very important.