Horowhenua StarHato Hone St John tutor Glen Gould has returned home to Levin from Niue having taught locals there the latest in first aid and life-saving skills.
Glen was one of three St John representatives from New Zealand who met with 80 people working in health, emergency, government agencies and the local business community in Niue recently, an initiative between the Government of Niue and Hato Hone St John.
Margaret Smith, Glen Gould, Oscilyna “Kiu” Kulatea and Sheree King in Niue. Photo supplied
He was joined by tutors Margaret Smith and Sheree King and spent four days teaching in Niue’s capital, Alofi. Co-ordinated by the Niue Health Department, the level 2 first aid course was the first in 12 years to be conducted on the island.
The visit was funded by the Niue Health Department, which also bought four new automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Known as “the rock”, Niue has a population of 1820.
Glen says students in the advanced resuscitation course learnt all the advanced resuscitation skills and how to use the AEDs.
“The students were amazing and even wanted to practise airway management in their breaks,” he says. “When I realised how important this was to them, I adapted the course to fit their needs.”
Margaret says the course covered basic life support training, general first aid, and managing first aid in an emergency. Two advanced resuscitation courses were also taught.
“Having as many people as possible knowing first aid and basic life-saving skills is vital,” she says. “Knowing that the people we taught can now share their knowledge is not only great for their families and communities they live in – but the island as a whole.”
With limited training space at the Niue Foou Hospital, courses were also held at a the Scenic Matavai Resort Niue and the local police station. Much of the trip was planned from the Niue side by former Wellington paramedic Oscilyna ‘Kiu’ Kulatea, who is now working in Niue.
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