Supporting National Defence with Life-Saving Knowledge at Bigbank
At Bigbank, we are proud to support not only professional growth but also civic responsibility and national readiness. As part of Estonia’s Reservists’ Week, held from 15 to 22 June and organised by the Ministry of Defence, we had the privilege of hosting practical first aid training sessions in our Tartu and Tallinn offices.
These sessions were led by Ingo Põder, a Member of Bigbank’s Management Board, active member of the Defence League, and a trained squad medic. Ingo brought his expertise to the workplace, offering hands-on training that could one day help save lives.

The training focused on essential life-saving techniques, following modern battlefield and civilian emergency care principles. Team members learned how to:
- Prioritise injuries using the cABCDE method – “Treat first what kills first”
- Understand and witness TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) in action
- Apply a tourniquet and stop massive bleeding
- Perform hands-only CPR – a life-saving technique that only takes minutes to learn
- Respond effectively in choking emergencies

In addition, participants were introduced to the contents of a basic Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) and the role each item plays in an emergency. This included:
- CAT Tourniquet (importance of quality!)
- Compressed gauze and 4’’ pressure bandages
- Antiseptic wipes, adhesive bandages, and burn gel
- Trauma shears, emergency blanket, marker, and instruction card
- Painkillers (e.g., ibuprofen and/or paracetamol)
Over the years, Bigbank has supported its employees’ participation in mandatory national defence training exercises, compensating them for the time spent in service. We are proud that many of our employees contribute to Estonia’s national defence!
