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Volunteers Get Life Saving Experience
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1 May 2005
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Bodies were strewn across the high school playground. Children were screaming from the rooftops, trapped in the stairwells. The howling was bloodcurdling. Many appeared to be dead, others injured with severe lacerations and major head injuries. But all were the product of a large scale Red Cross training exercise in Bendigo.
Mass casualty management was on the agenda when 50 Red Cross staff and volunteers took over Golden Square Secondary College, Bendigo. In a mock bombing aimed at preparing Australian Red Cross volunteers for the worst, four Red Cross vehicles containing 23 trained Red Cross volunteers responded to the scenario.
On exiting their vehicles, they were faced with the prospect of a major bushfire, chemical disaster or explosion. What they found was almost 30 high school students, posing as victims of a schoolyard explosion. Their challenge was to contain the area, and ensure as little carnage as possible.
First Aid volunteers were required to safely locate the ‘patients’, and negotiate their protected evacuation. Whilst performing triage (prioritising those with the greatest need), they had to work out the safest way to move the injured and swiftly transport them to a pre-determined ambulance area. On reaching this area, many of the First Aid officers were required to perform both basic and advanced first aid, including defibrillation, oxygen administration and asthma management.
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This was all done whilst keeping in mind the extent of the ‘patients’ injuries. Some had realistic looking burns, serious lacerations, broken bones and abrasions, and according to witnesses “some of the screaming was bloodcurdling”.
The mock exercise is designed to give Red Cross First Aid Volunteers the chance to utilize their skills under real pressure. Performing emergency first aid, search and rescue, off road driving, radio communication and intense team work in a simulated scenario provides volunteers with invaluable experience and skills to handle real life situations if the need arises.
Each year the Australian Red Cross provides first aid training to more than 100,000 people. It manages 24 first aid units throughout Victoria, each being available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Working closely with other emergency service agencies, such as Victoria Police, SES and the Ambulance Service Victoria, the Red Cross assists local communities affected by emergencies such as chemical spills, floods, car accidents or bush fires.
Some people also forget that Red Cross First Aid Volunteers have a strong presence at many community events. Whether it be a smaller event requiring two or three officers, or larger events such as the Royal Melbourne Show or the Commonwealth Youth Games, the Red Cross are available to provide the expert first aid skills required at public events.
If you would like to become involved with Australian Red Cross First Aid teams and Emergency Services or would like to enqure about having a Red Cross First Aid team at your event email Jade Stanic, or call 03 8327 7700.
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Media contacts:
Jacqui Pringle
Senior Marketing and Communications Officer
Australian Red Cross
Telephone 03 8327 7756
Mobile 0448 571 484
viccomms@redcross.org.au
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