Members of Hato Hone St John’s team have returned from Niue after teaching seven courses over four days in Niue’s capital Alofi.
Eighty people working in health, emergency, government agencies and the local business community in Niue have had the latest in first aid training, thanks to a joint initiative between the Government of Niue and Hato Hone St John (HHStJ).
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.
Senior First Aid Tutor Margaret Smith 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.
“Everyone who took part in the training was so engaged and open to learn. I love teaching, and teaching over there was an amazing experience. We all had a brilliant time.”
The visit was funded by the Government of Niue and its Health Department – which also purchased four new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for the island.
Also accompanying Ms Smith was Sheree King and Glen Ping Gould.
Ping said those students in the advanced resuscitation course were “fully engaged” with all the advanced resuscitation skills and learning how to use the AEDs.
“The students were amazing and even wanted to practise airway management in their breaks. When I realised how important this was to them, I adapted the course to fit their needs.”
A lot of the team’s trip was planned from the Niue side by former Wellington paramedic Oscilyna ‘Kiu’ Kulatea, who is now working in Niue.
Margaret says, “imparting essential first aid knowledge, knowing that it could save somebody’s life is just an incredible feeling.”
