Deputy Minister: Crucial for bodyguards to be equipped with first-aid skills

SIBU (Nov 19): A bodyguard not only serves to provide protection, but also acts as the first responder in times of crisis, said Datuk Michael Tiang.

According to the Deputy Minister II for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak, having first-aid knowledge such as performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), being able to provide basic treatment to injuries and having other life-saving skills, is a prerequisite for those in this profession.

“I believe that having first-aid knowledge is important. In those critical moments before professional medical help arrives, a well-informed bodyguard can make the difference between life and death,” he said in his speech for the closing ceremony of the ‘Basic Bodyguard Course’ here on Friday, which also celebrated the first anniversary of the Sarawak Close Protection Association (SCPA).

The deputy minister’s text-of-speech was read by Kapitan So Teck Kee.

Tiang, who is Pelawan assemblyman, said having these basic first-aid skills was among the requirements for an individual to be qualified to become a bodyguard.

“This is for them to be able to act accordingly in times of need. A skilled bodyguard would know the most appropriate course of action to be undertaken in any given circumstances.

“It (basic first-aid) is the foundation; without it, a bodyguard may find himself to be ill-prepared to anticipate and neutralise any potential danger to his clients,” he added.

A total of 25 people took part in the course organised by the SCPA.

Also present at the event was the association’s president Ahmad Rizal Janting.