Finishing the degree program has the logical consequence of enjoying the summer, a work well done and a well-deserved graduation. However, there are always people who break this logic and decide to spend a week working on one of the most famous festivals in the world: San Fermin (or the Sanfermines).
Pamplona triples its population between July 6th and 14th. People from all over come to run the running of the bulls, to honor the saint or, why not, to enjoy the concerts at the place del Castillo, the pintxos on Estafeta Street or the fireworks at the Citadel. Some more consciously than others. If the protagonists of the running of the bulls are the bulls and the runners, they are also indirectly the health staff who participate in the safety device organized by the City Council of Pamplona. And it is in this environment where alumni from the School of Nursing of the University of Navarra participate as volunteers. Some of them are more veteran than others and tell us their experience through this report.
from left to right, Bilal Benbelkheir, Ignacio Rández and Jon Revilla. CEDIDA
Bilal Benbelkheir [Enf 20], Red Cross volunteer.
"I have been a Red Cross volunteer for 5 years, not only during the Sanfermines, but also throughout the year. Since I started, before finishing the degree program, I have been able to do complementary training aimed at out-of-hospital emergencies. I started as a lifeguard and after finishing the degree program I continued as a volunteer nurse. During these holidays, I combined ambulance duty with the running of the bulls at the place . During the year, I also do the guards and some preventive services, such as covering concerts, races, soccer games.
Being a volunteer activities in Red Cross has helped me in the degree program, because I could put in internship in other contexts, the skills and knowledge acquired during the Degree".
Ignacio Rández [Enf 20], Red Cross volunteer.
"This has been my first year as a volunteer, and the truth is that the experience of the running of the bulls is incredible. The fact of being able to help people who need it, the environment, the atmosphere, being able to be with my class living it, has been unique".
Jon Revilla [Enf 20], Red Cross volunteer.
"I have been fortunate to be able to do a lot of volunteering throughout the degree program, which has allowed me to meet a lot of people. It is very rewarding. If we add to this the fact that we have chosen this profession, to train ourselves, to help others, the fact of participating in this subject of event to be able to lend a hand is always welcome".
Itziar (bottom row, first from the right) with her DYA colleagues. CEDIDA
Itziar Rus [Enf 23], DYA volunteer.
"I've been with the DYA since this year, right after graduating. I met the association two years ago, but I could not do the lifeguard course that is a requirement, so I waited to graduate. Collaborating with the DYA in Sanfermines has been an incredible learning experience. It has helped me to learn the importance of the work of other health workers such as the TES and the first responders. Thanks to them we have helped many people working as a team in a fast and efficient way. In addition, I have been lucky enough to cover the running of the bulls and the fires, I have also been able to be in an aid station and I have been able to perform services in a basic and advanced ambulance".
Carmela Longo, at the Pamplona place . CEDIDA.
Carmela Longo [Enf 21], Red Cross Volunteer
"Participating as a volunteer is an experience that I would recommend to everyone to do at least once in their lives, because at the School of Nursing we are well trained to face any status. In addition, as a nurse you are trained to give first aid because you can be either the head of a team or be part of another team. The group we form is not only from Navarra, but also from Albacete or Galicia, people who come to help.
If it is your turn to be at the running of the bulls, there are points reserved for us all along the route, the aid stations they are called. If it is in the place in the afternoon, we are in the andanadas, the bleachers, in the lying or in the first aid station. That is where we carry out a first aid screening, we see if the injured person needs medical attendance and we evaluate the seriousness criteria. We also do safety work, because we make sure that people wear good shoes to the running of the bulls, that they don't carry bags and, of course, that they are fit to run. We also take care of the elderly people who come to the place, because of the heat".