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The ability to administer appropriate first aid in an emergency is one of the most valuable skills a Kiwi can have, according to Hato Hone St John.
“You are literally learning how to save someone’s life,” head of training – first aid Simon Barnett says.
Hato Hone St John is encouraging people who have not done a course recently to refresh their training. Ideally, refresher courses should be done every two years.
“We know that over time a person’s confidence to act in an emergency situation reduces without training, so coming back to refresh their first aid knowledge also refreshes confidence.”
Barnett says advice also changes as new and advanced information comes to light.
“For instance, Hato Hone St John used to teach different cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to ventilation rates by age group but now it is just ‘30:2 No Matter Who’.”
All Kiwis are eligible for Hato Hone St John’s first aid courses, and workplaces are encouraged to have staff trained in first aid.
“Accidents happen anywhere at any time so having more people trained in first aid means that our frontline staff are well supported and prepared when arriving at an emergency.”
The courses cover everything from common injuries to life-threatening medical emergencies, as well as skills to assist vital assistance and CPR before more experienced help arrives. The course can be treated as a starting point to advance participants’ first aid training to the next level.
Hato Hone St John recently launched a new course called Management of an Intoxicated Person. The course has been designed in collaboration with the NZ Drug Foundation, Whakarongorau and New Zealand Police, and benefits those working in events, hospitality and security.
The course aims to teach ways of confidentially managing those in different stages of intoxication and how to apply first aid to these patrons.
The service also offers a Mental Health First Aid Course, which teaches participants how to recognise and respond to someone experiencing mental health concerns. In addition to the in-class Mental Health First Aid course, there are also courses online.
Info: stjohn.org.nz/firstaid
