This Audio Social Learning Startup is Teaching Mumbai’s Cops How To Save Lives

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This Audio Social Learning Startup is Teaching Mumbai’s Cops How To Save Lives

“Be Aware. Be Prepared. Save Lives,” says Audio Social Learning App Mentza

Online and offline, audio-social learning app Mentza is conducting sessions on CPR and AED that could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency

Audio-Social Learning Startup Mentza conducted its first on-ground session for Mumbai’s police personnel and fitness influencers to learn how to conduct CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and operate AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) at the Kandivali Police Station, Kandivali West. “Knowing how to conduct CPR and use AEDs is crucial for first responders like the police, as well as laypersons,” said Deepshikha Ware, Police Inspector, Kandivali Police Station. “I appreciate Mentza taking the effort to bring this crucial awareness and knowledge to all— digitally as well as on ground. It’s what knowledge platforms are meant to do.”

The two and a half hour event (from 4 pm to 6:30 pm) comprised not just a discussion, in Marathi, on CPR and AED but also demonstrations and hands-on experiences, using dummies, for the audience to learn from. “It gives us great pride to be of service to Mumbai’s finest,” said Anurag Vaish, CEO and Co-Founder of Mentza, referring to the Mumbai Police. “Mentza is on a mission to spread understanding and expertise through conversations and involvement, rather than preachy classroom-style lectures. This is what we have been doing online, through Mentza circles [20 minute conversations]. This is what we wish to do offline as well.”

This offline Mentza event comes on the heels of online Mentza conversations, in English as well as different Indian languages, emphasising the importance of CPR and AEDs, on a channel titled ‘Be Aware, Be Prepared’. The channel is being hosted by Mentza’s ‘Sports and Well-Being Community’ and its discussions involve sports professionals and emergency responders talking about their experiences while handling trauma situations and about how laypersons can save lives.

“We want to go long distance cycling, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, or running, from Mumbai to Goa, but are we prepared to handle a crisis, like an injury or accident or trauma during such outdoor group activities?” Garima Malik, Architect of Mentza’s Sports and Well-Being Community and a brain and body fitness trainer, asked. “Are we making sure that we are prepared to deal with such emergencies, if the need arises? Are we versed with SOS practices or in CPR and how to use AEDs? We would like to highlight these basic life saving skills for all the people who have begun their fitness journeys and would like to take these journeys to the next level.”

The fitness industry is expanding exponentially, online and offline, as there is an acceptance of the fact that one must spend time, and sometimes money, on personal health,” said Merwin Fernandes, Community Moderator of Mentza’s Sports and Well-Being Community. “But how many individuals check the credentials and certification of fitness trainers or professionals or even physiotherapists or their nutritionists? One very basic requirement for any fitness professional or coach is to know how to avoid trauma, but how many are prepared to deal with such situations like heart failure, choking, first aid etc.? In this context, we are very encouraged by the terrific response to our first on-ground event for ‘Be Aware, Be Prepared’ and hope to keep on spreading this message.”

The next Mentza circle on ‘Be Aware, be Prepared’ — ‘Life Saving Skills 5’ — will be held on May 3rd, at 4:30 pm, in Marathi and Hindi.

The next on-ground event by Mentza will be held in Bengaluru, on May 14th, 2022, from 4 pm to 6:30 pm for Fitness and Social Influencers. It will be in Kannada.