Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

First Aid And Storm Season

Having a substantial first aid kit for the Whitsundays’ cyclone season – which occurs annually off the Queensland coast from November through to April – is paramount, according to local experts.

It’s as pivotal as wearing a seatbelt.

In a year where the likelihood of any tropical cyclone is above average, the month before a predicted four weather events occur in Australia’s Eastern region is a time of preparation.

Qualified First Aid Trainer and owner of AWB First Aid First, Andrew Barker, said first aid kit maintenance was key at this time of year, and that the first step for any individual, business, or household in the Whitsundays, was in accessing their own needs.

“Whether it’s a whole family or a personal kit, they need to be appropriate for the risk level of where they’re living,” Mr Barker said.

“If they’re living in town, the risk level is different to living somewhere like Strathdickie which might be cut off in a storm event. What is needed is to have a first aid kit that is going to both give you the ability to perform basic first aid, but also more serious stuff in a situation where emergency services may not be able to get to you for up to 24 hours, such as during Cyclone Debbie.”

Mr Barker said most people buy their kits off the shelves, and in most cases, these kits are substantial and can cover all bases, but using them is another matter.

“It’s like buying a car and not having a license,” Mr Barker said.

“People may not know how to use them, and of course, we run first aid courses and we say to anyone: if you’re going to buy a kit, you need to know how it is used.

“What I advise for everyone when they buy a kit is to take it home, put it on the kitchen table and unpack it. Put it all on the table and have a look at it and understand it. Each kit comes with a list of its contents, which is used for restocking. As well, kits have an expected life expectancy of three to five years and need to be restocked or replaced.

“If there’s ever any confusion, you can come in and see us and we’re more than happy to discuss it with you.”

AWB First Aid First supplies the Whitsundays with professional first aid training, first aid kits and more.

Wendy Barker from AWB First Aid First with some of the business’ first aid kits, suitable for the tropical storm season in the Whitsundays

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