Curtin MRC VAD 57 members undergo ambulance service training

Miri – 24 August 2011 – The Malaysian Red Crescent Voluntary Aid Detachment 57 (VAD 57) of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently organised its first Ambulance Service Training in collaboration with the Miri General Hospital.

23 VAD 57 members took part in the training, which was aimed at enhancing their first aid skills, particularly the correct procedures and techniques in handling emergency cases. They also learned about the operations of the hospital’s ambulance service, such as its response times, the medical equipment it uses, and how its personnel tend to injuries and handle patients.

The Emergency and Trauma Department of the Miri General Hospital provided nine instructors to facilitate the training and deliver talks to the participants. They comprised David Hii, Dr. Priscilla Joseph, Dr. Lim ShuXuen, Roy Cosmas, Dominic Uli, Spencer Engkasan, Minit Sigau, Katijah Jahri and Lizawati Mohammad.

The training, which was divided into two sessions, involved a talk on the theories behind operating an ambulance service and a practical exercise on what to do when responding to an emergency.

The participants engaged in role plays, assuming the roles of essential personnel such as assistant medical officers, nurses and drivers. They learned about ‘trauma management’, such as how to prioritise patients’ treatments based on the severity of their conditions.

They also learned the proper techniques of handling and transporting patients, including affixing cervical collars to patients suspected of suffering from spinal injuries and using different medical equipment to measure breathing and supply oxygen.

Many of the participants remarked that they pleased at the opportunity to undergo the training and looked forward to more in the future. Organising chairman Alex Teng Meng Cheng also expressed hopes that such training would be continued to enable other VAD 57 members to learn about the ambulance service.

Following the ambulance service training, the VAD 57 is planning other events such as its Exploring Humanity Law (EHL) Camp, Basic First Aid Course and Water Safety & Boat Handling Course.

For more information on the VAD 57, visit www.curtinrc.blogspot.com or e-mail curtinrc@gmail.com. More information on Curtin Sarawak can be obtained by visiting its website at www.curtin.edu.my, calling +60 85 443 939, or by e-mailing enquiries@curtin.edu.my.

Participants learning the correct way of carrying casualties with spinal injuries.