Ambos train on board ferry

Ambos train on board the ferry

Sea SA’s Spencer Gulf ferry, Sea Spirit, provided the ideal training ground for 20 volunteer ambulance officers from around the Copper Coast last month, as they add sea rescues to their list of skills.

The exercise was the first of two to be staged on board the ferry at the Wallaroo terminal outside of normal service hours, as part of SA Ambulance Service’s ongoing sea management program operated in coastal regions across the state.

“Part of our ongoing training is to conduct mock simulations of extractions of casualities out of vehicles and homes, and this is no different from that, except that the marine environment presents some unique challenges ,” SA Ambulance Service Regional Team Leader, Upper Yorke Peninsula, Amber Cooper explained.

Exposure to the ferry enabled ambulance crew to gain first-hand experience in responding to an emergency at sea, including the special nuances of providing assistance on board the ferry, amongst up to 300 passengers.

“Going on board means we now know all the safety requirements in advance of an incident occurring, from something as simple as a single passenger trauma, where for example someone has had a heart attack or fallen and broken a leg, through to a large-scale incident involving multiple casualties,” Amber said.

Sea SA crew were at hand to familiarize the group from Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo with Sea Spirit, as they under went vital community training aboard the 64 metre, multi-level vessel.

“This was a great opportunity for our volunteers to gain an in-depth understanding of the dos and don’ts whilst working on a boat,” Amber said.

“They now know exactly which stairs and exit points we can go down with a spinal board or a chair stretcher and the best way to deploy our resources in collaboration with our own ambulance networks, hospitals and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”

The exercise will be simulated in a classroom environment and liaison with SA Ambulance Service counterparts on the Eyre Peninsula side of the Gulf will be undertaken, to ensure the full benefit of the training is passed on to as many ambulance personnel as possible, Amber explained.

Residents interested in volunteering for the SA Ambulance Service with full training provided should call 1800 655 306. / ENDS

	Ambos train on board the ferry Sea SA’s Spencer Gulf ferry, Sea Spirit, provided the ideal training ground for 20 volunteer ambulance officers from around the Copper Coast last month, as they add sea rescues to their list of skills. The exercise was the first of two to be staged on board the ferry at the Wallaroo terminal outside of normal service hours, as part of SA Ambulance Service’s ongoing sea management program operated in coastal regions across the state. “Part of our ongoing training is to conduct mock simulations of extractions of casualities out of vehicles and homes, and this is no different from that, except that the marine environment presents some unique challenges ,” SA Ambulance Service Regional Team Leader, Upper Yorke Peninsula, Amber Cooper explained. Exposure to the ferry enabled ambulance crew to gain first-hand experience in responding to an emergency at sea, including the special nuances of providing assistance on board the ferry, amongst up to 300 passengers. “Going on board means we now know all the safety requirements in advance of an incident occurring, from something as simple as a single passenger trauma, where for example someone has had a heart attack or fallen and broken a leg, through to a large-scale incident involving multiple casualties,” Amber said. Sea SA crew were at hand to familiarize the group from Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo with Sea Spirit, as they under went vital community training aboard the 64 metre, multi-level vessel. “This was a great opportunity for our volunteers to gain an in-depth understanding of the dos and don’ts whilst working on a boat,” Amber said. “They now know exactly which stairs and exit points we can go down with a spinal board or a chair stretcher and the best way to deploy our resources in collaboration with our own ambulance networks, hospitals and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.” The exercise will be simulated in a classroom environment and liaison with SA Ambulance Service counterparts on the Eyre Peninsula side of the Gulf will be undertaken, to ensure the full benefit of the training is passed on to as many ambulance personnel as possible, Amber explained. Residents interested in volunteering for the SA Ambulance Service with full training provided should call 1800 655 306. / ENDS