Using personal equipment and environmental resources the tauira, Taiao team and others were able to create stretchers, which could be used to carry an injured/wounded person to safety and to the medical care that they require. This was achieved by using slashers to cut and smooth branches, which could then be placed through the sleeves of two jackets. We learnt other support and carry techniques that could be used if a stretcher was not a viable option such as, a fireman’s carry, supported carry and two person supported chair carry to name but a few.

We also learnt the importance of communication within a group and how important it is to establish who will take the lead. Each individual present was able to test their leadership skills with live scenarios created by our facilitators. This gave everybody the opportunity to take lead and delegate tasks to the rest of the group. This involved assigning tasks like, a person to access the injured/wounded person and apply first aid, to another finding and using resources to create stretchers, splinters, or shelter, to another seeking help, relaying location details and vital patient information through radio communication, cell phones – if in coverage, or in “oh no” moments the use of PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) depending on the severity of the wounded or injured party.

There was a wealth of knowledge to be gained and taken away from our two day Outdoor First Aid training, but the most memorable moments would be, Danny and Scott’s dedication to fully immerse themselves in our scenario-based training.

From Scott’s scenario of a cut artery, which literally had fake blood pulsating from the wound to Danny laying in a creek for a prolonged period of time, being at the beginning stages of hypothermia when the team found him. This gave the team the chance to apply their new first aid skills in a practical way.