Page 12 - KZN Business Sense 12.4 - Terry Flack

THE FIRST 10 MINUTES, WHERE LIVES

ARE SAVED OR LOST

Mike Myers, Security like you and me. What happens They are on the way, but
& Emergency Services next depends entirely on the sometimes lights and sirens don’t
Advisor, CEO Mobi people who are there. allow enough time for the patient.
Ventures
Do they recognise what’s So the real question is, what
W hen Do they know what to do? happens while you’re waiting?
happening?
This is where preparation and
a
Not complicated systems, not
medical Or do they hesitate, panic, or training changes everything.
assume someone else will step
emergency in? expensive equipment.
happens, Simple, practical capability:
most people That’s often what happens,
immediately people freeze, they second guess ■ Someone who knows how to
think: call for themselves, they worry about perform CPR
help. And they should. doing the wrong thing. And ■ Someone who can control
while that hesitation is human, bleeding
But here’s the uncomfortable it comes at a cost and that cost ■ Someone who can recognise
reality, by the time professional could be a life. From a medical the severity of a situation
help arrives, the outcome has response perspective, those first
often already been decided. 10 minutes are critical. ■ Someone who takes control
We’ve all heard of the Golden and acts
Hour, the critical window after In cases like cardiac arrest, Because in those first few
a serious injury where medical every minute without minutes, doing something is
treatment dramatically improves cardiopulmonary resuscitation almost always better than doing We need to shift how we think to respond when it matters most.
survival chances. (CPR) reduces survival chances nothing. This applies just as about emergencies, it’s not just We live in a world where help
significantly. In severe bleeding, much in the workplace as it about how quickly help arrives,
But as important, especially it’s about what happens before it is never too far away. But in
in South Africa, there’s another uncontrolled blood loss can does at home. gets there, what we can do before an emergency, the person who
window that matters just as become fatal within minutes. Businesses invest heavily in help arrives. makes the biggest difference is
In airway obstructions, time
much, it comes before the Golden compliance, extinguishers on the usually the one who is already
Hour. is measured in seconds, not wall, first aid kits in cupboards, Because the reality is simple, there. 
minutes. the first 10 minutes don’t wait for
The first 10 minutes This isn’t about dramatic policies in files. But when anyone. T: +27 (0)31 109 1888
something actually happens, it
Those first few minutes after an scenarios; it’s an everyday reality. comes down to people. As a practical step, more E: care@mobiventures.co.za
incident, where everything either And yet, most environments, organisations are starting to W: www.mobiventures.co.za
goes right… or very wrong. It’s homes, offices, public spaces, they ARE THEY TRAINED? prioritise basic life-saving first
the moment someone collapses, aren’t prepared for it. ARE THEY CONFIDENT? aid training for their teams, not
a colleague has a heart attack, We put a lot of faith in ARE THEY READY TO ACT? as a compliance exercise, but as a
a child chokes, a serious injury emergency services, and rightly Because equipment doesn’t real capability.
occurs.
so. There are highly trained save lives, people do! The time At Mobi Ventures, we facilitate
And in that moment, there professionals out there doing between an incident occurring first aid training for our clients
is no ambulance on scene yet, exceptional work, but they are and professional help arriving at corporate rates in partnership
no paramedic, no professional not standing next to us when an is where risk lies, but also where with ER24, helping businesses
intervention. Just regular people incident happens. lives can be saved. equip their teams with the skills

BOUNCING INTO THE EVENTS INDUSTRY

tarting a jumping castle rental family gatherings and community are largely limited to fuel, often for transporting castles and marketplaces. Word-of-mouth
service presents a compelling events. recoverable through delivery associated equipment. Delivery referrals also remain a powerful
Sopportunity for aspiring fees, and periodic maintenance of fees can be structured to offset driver of growth in this sector.
entrepreneurs or those seeking an One of the most attractive equipment. As a result, once the fuel costs, with flexible pricing
additional income stream. Beyond aspects of this venture is its start-up costs have been recouped, models that account for distance, Strategic partnerships can
its commercial appeal, it is a relatively low ongoing cost the business has the potential charging a premium for longer further enhance visibility.
business that delivers tangible joy, structure. After the initial capital to generate strong margins and trips while offering competitive Engaging with schools, churches
bringing energy and excitement to investment, overheads are consistent returns. rates for nearby clients. and daycare centres offers
minimal. Operating expenses opportunities to showcase the
Setting up your business Unlike many traditional service, whether through direct
The foundation of the business lies businesses, a jumping castle rental rentals or event-based activations.
in acquiring the right equipment. service does not require dedicated Flexible pricing models, such as
While cost considerations are office space. Storage needs are also per-child fees or institutional
important, prioritising quality minimal, as castles can be folded rentals, can help unlock
over price is critical. Jumping and stored compactly. For many additional revenue streams.
castles endure significant wear operators, this means the business
and tear, particularly in high- can be run efficiently from home, For those ready to take the
energy environments. Investing further reducing overheads. next step, suppliers such as Sky
Tents offer a range of jumping
in durable, high-quality units Getting your name out there castles selected for quality and
reduces maintenance costs, With the operational
minimises the risk of equipment value. With the right planning
failure during events, and groundwork in place, effective and execution, this venture can
ultimately enhances customer marketing becomes the next provide both financial reward
priority. Establishing a strong
and the satisfaction of building a
satisfaction.
digital presence is essential, business that brings enjoyment to
Logistics also play a key leveraging social media communities. 
role in operational success. platforms, online advertising
A reliable vehicle is essential tools and community-based www.skytentsa.co.za

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