Road Run 2018
Every year, all schools will have a Merentas Desa, or Road Run. My school had one just yesterday.

I was not part of the running, as I volunteered for my Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia society to join the First Aid Team. My friends and brother however, were involved.

Before the run, the president of the BSMM trained those involved the basic medical training and, for serious cases, CPR and the procedures of DR. CAB. We would be given medical kits, ice bags and so on on the day itself, so we needn't worry.

On that day, I watched as the runners of the different houses: Hebat, Maju, Kesatria and Berjaya, went to the respective classes to fetch their number tags. There are six categories in total: L1 (Form 4 & Form 5 boys), L2 (Form 3 boys), L3 (Form 1 & form 2 boys), P1 (Form 4 & Form 5 girls), P2 (Form 3 girls), and P3 (Form 1 & Form 2 girls). 

After attendance was taken, I was sent to my station along with a member from the St. John Ambulance society. BSMM and St. John members are paired together in a station so both societies can use their medical knowledge. Our station was station 5, and because it was located in front of a house in the middle of the route, we had a good view of the run. 

When the first batch was let out, the place immediately turned noisy. By the time the last batch was running, we were watching and cheering them on. 

Then, the action began. A girl who was running stopped and staggered to our station, clutching her stomach. My partner immediately took action and helped her to sit down on the side of the road. She gave the girl a bottle of mineral water to drink. I watched as she asked the patient what was wrong and other questions. 

She suddenly handed me a fan and told me to fan the girl to cool her. I wasn't even 10 fans through when the girl asked me to stop as she felt cold. 

I wasn't sure what to do and my partner immediately called Medical Base for help. I looked to my right and to my surprise, there was a girl piggybacking another girl there just behind the potted plants. I walked over to her and she asked me to help her friend. I took her to my partner and they both set her friend down to sit on the ground. This time, the case wasn't so serious and after a few sips of water and some rest, the girl was back on her feet. The two friends then continued the run after some questions and reassurance. 

The next and last case was by far the quickest. A boy ran up to my partner. My guess was he is also a St. John member. He asked her for some Counterpain muscle rub and applied it on his legs, massaging the cramped area. He then started to run again, earning some nagging from my partner. 

Finally, the teacher sent to pick the poor girl up came. They carried her into the car and the teacher went to the driver's seat. A girl running suddenly came up to the door and called the girl. She told the teacher she was the girl's sister and was allowed to ride the car with her. 

By the time the run ended, there were about 8 cases. During recess, the St. John members were given a free meal of fried noodles while the BSMM members took to their own devices. 

After arranging my stuff, I went to the canteen to meet my brother. We ate our snacks and I left as his friend came. 

The results were out, and Berjaya became the winning house, just like they do every year. Sad to say, my brother couldn't get a medal since he ended up in the wrong place and couldn't register his name in the Top 20. 

At least this year I can do something other than running. If I can, I'll try to join the First Aid Team again next year.