Workplace First Aid

At a recent staff meeting there was a call for somebody to act as a first aid person for our floor/department. I volunteered to take up this position. On Friday I completed a two day course conducted by St John. I am now qualified in first aid.

The course was held on Thursday and Friday of this week from 8.15am to 4.30pm. The course covered unit standards 6400 (manage first aid in emergency situations), 6401 (provide first aid), and 6402 (provide resuscitation level 2). The course was taught by Tracie at St Johns Northern Region in Mount Wellington . There was a class of about 25 people.

The course covered a variety of areas including; Basic life support, bleeding and shock, first aid for medical conditions, burns, environmental conditions, poisoning, fractures and soft tissue injuries, head and spinal injuries, eye injuries, chest injuries, and Major incidents.

Of interest, the following were taught but were not formally assessed; Eye injuries, chest injuries, and major incidents.

The entire course was assessed by practical assessments using artificial scenarios. In some assessments students were asked to play the patients while their partner was assessed on their skills. The roles were then reversed and the other person was then assessed.

This course is worth 4 NZQA credits which can be registered with NZQA for $1.00 each. I received a full size certificate, a wallet certificate, and a sticker indicating that trained St Johns people were on site. The first aid certificate is valid for two years and can be refreshed by attending a 1 day refresher course.

A light morning tea and afternoon tea is provided (tim tams, biscuits, and coffee). Lunch is not provided. At lunch time a "Hey Joe" mobile food van does come with a varying supply of food ranging from rolls to pies (not a big selection). There was also a mobile coffee car that came around a few times in the two days. St Johns does set break times which coincide with the arrival of these vans. St Johns requests that food and drink is not taken into the classroom.

On attending this course you will receive a resource kit containing; CPR Manikin (Mini Anne), CPR Training DVD, Training first aid kit (non sterile, not for Clinical use), a couple of face shields, and some other material that relates to your training including a cardboard cellphone (its important that you get 111 called in the training).

Additional Information: St John's mission is to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people of all races and creeds anywhere in New Zealand.