Upskilling the community

Health services can be stretched in emergencies and often the first people to arrive at the scene of a serious incident are local community members.

This month, CareFlight is hosting a series of unique community education workshops, which aim to build resilience in local communities by improving access to health services and outcomes across Australia.

The Limestone Coast is part of that workshop schedule with a session this Saturday.

CareFlight’s trauma care workshops are one of a kind and are provided at no cost to participants. Lifelike medical manikins, simulated accident scenarios and specially-designed simulation equipment aid in the recreation of a high-pressure, hands-on environment, ensuring the training is realistic, applicable and improves participants’ ability to connect learning to real-world situations. In addition to lifesaving skills, personnel are armed with essential leadership, teamwork, situational awareness and communication skills that will help them respond to traumas.

CareFlight Head of Operations – Education and Training Lara Miller said everyone should have the opportunity to be trained and equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to respond to emergencies and help save lives.

“The first few minutes after an accident can mean the difference between life and death for the patient. First responders do an incredible job for their community and can be called and at the scene of an accident before additional medical help arrives,” Ms Miller said.

“Through our partnership with local organisations, health services and emergency services, we are reinforcing the links in the chain of survival by ensuring that a higher level of care is available as soon as an incident occurs.

“This workshop is a boost for the emergency services in south-east South Australia. Off the back of an incredibly difficult few years facing floods and the pandemic, CareFlight is delighted to be able to bring the training into the community, thanks to government grants and community fundraising. Our aim is to empower locals with lifesaving skills and essential inter-agency collaboration, for the ultimate goal of creating a safer society.”

The workshops are part of CareFlight’s grassroots initiative to create a resilient and healthier community. In collaboration with local groups and their members, CareFlight is building confidence in the emergency response abilities of locals in the community. CareFlight’s Community Education workshops are coordinated by experienced doctors, paramedics and nurses who train first responders.

Participants invited to the include local community members, volunteers/emergency services from local Emergency Services South Australia including CFS (Country Fire Service), SAMFS (South Australia Metro Fire Service), SA Ambulance Service, Coast Guard, SA Sea Rescue, Volunteer Marine Rescue, and SES.

CareFlight is grateful for the Commonwealth Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program for supporting CareFlight’s mission to build resilience in communities.

IMAGES COURTESY OF CAREFLIGHT

LIMESTONE COAST EVENT:

• Sunday, 18 February 2024
• What: CareFlight Community Education Trauma Care Workshop
• Where: Kingston CFS – 2 Smith Lane, Kingston SE, SA 5275
• Contact: Lara Miller (for media enquiries) 0436 839 587 and Alana Copeland (for operational enquiries) 0483 327 052
• Eventbrite joining link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/trauma-care-workshop-kingston-registration-795870499087