LOCAL State Emergency Services and Rural Fire Service volunteers participated in trauma care workshops run by Careflight this week.
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According to regional learning and development officer, Wes Macpherson, volunteers were being trained by the world’s best to be more prepared when called to a serious accident.
“The local emergency services are always first on the scene and training like this teaches them more than basic first aid training so they feel more confident, and have better knowledge when there is a traumatic accident,” he said.
Twenty volunteers from the area gave up their time to participate in the theory and practical workshops across two days.
“The first response team call the ambulance but in regional areas it could take up to three hours for them to get to the scene, and if there is a person needing immediate care the team have to be confident enough to provide that until the ambulance arrive,” Mr Macpherson said.
The theory was completed on Monday night, with the practical taking place on Tuesday evening.
Careflight facilitator, Anthony Cook, said they put the volunteers in life-like scenarios to see how they react and to teach them how to improve in the situation.
“We use mobile simulation cars and dummies, and the facilitators tell the volunteers what is wrong with the dummies. Combined with the theory, the volunteers have to use that knowledge to rescue the dummy and provide aid,” he said.
Mr Cook said the feedback from volunteers who had taken the training and responded to an accident after, had all been positive.
“We’ve had many volunteers say they felt more comfortable and confident because they’ve bettered their skills on how to sustain a life. They’ve also commented on how hands-on the workshop really was,” he said.
The volunteers faced two scenarios on the night; the first a car accident involving a person and child, and the second, a motorcycle accident which resulted in the rider being hit and flung under a car.
SES volunteer, Kristy Marquett, said the workshop was a great opportunity to refresh her skills and learn new things.
“All these training days are nationally recognised and can help you obtain a job. As a child educator, the first aid training is very important,” she said.
Ms Marquett encouraged locals to join the SES.
“It is a very rewarding thing to be able to help the local community.
“There is a job for everyone at the SES no matter what skills you may or may not have.”
If you would like to become a volunteer, call the SES on 131 500.
