Successful training exercise

The staff of St John Kaikoura have enjoyed a successful training exercise which also served as part of the emergency planning procedures for Glenstrae Farm's four-wheel adventure tours.

This was the second year the exercise had been carried out at the Trewin property, 20kms south of Kaikoura. It took some organisation, but St John team manager Don Wright said it had been a very worthwhile evening.

Four scenarios were played out, with four of the ambulance officers acting as patients.

They exhibited a range of injuries including an open fractured femur, a closed fractured femur, a fractured ankle, a head injury, a hand and forearm injury and exhaust burns to a leg.

Four senior ambulance officers stood by, one at each scene, to observe the treatment and a further 12 ambulance officers carried out the assessments and administered the various treatments.

The evening ended with a social barbecue at the farm before the ambulance returned to Kaikoura. A second ambulance remained stationed in town in case of emergencies while the training was being carried out.

- © Fairfax NZ News