First-Aid Suggestion

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30957, 13 January 1966, Page 3

First-Aid Suggestion

(.V Z. Press Assn —(Copyright) AUCKLAND, Jan. 12. New Zealand should consider setting up first-aid posts on motorways and main highways and training A.A. patrol drivers in first aid. said the sec-retary-manager of the Auckland branch of the Red Cross Society, Dr. VV. S. Dale, who is just back from a sixmonth world trip. He also had suggestions for helping needy nations. Dr. Dale said that in Scandinavia and the Philippines the Red Cross played a large pail in highway safety. Manned and equipped first-aid posts were set up at frequent intervals on highways. In Holland, the equivalent of the A.A. had its drivers trained in first-aid by the Red Cross.

Dr. Dale said that the Red Cross in New Zealand prob-

ably could also train voluntary’ officers to provide, in cooperation with surf clubs, first-aid treatment on the beaches. At a Welsh seaside resort he saw Red Cross members treating a wide range of ailments, from cut feet to sand in the eyes and sunburn. In London, he saw other agencies offering a wide | range of services to the aged Dr. Dale said the New Zealand Red Cross could establish a citizens’ advice I bureau, advising pensioners in financial, physical or fam- ] ily difficulties. An age pensioner often had no-one to turn to. In Norway, Dr. Dale con-, tributed to a fund for a second motorised ski vehicle, organised by the local Red Cross in a village of only 50 families, to help lost or injured skiers. These vehicles might be worth considering for mountain rescues in New Zealand, he said. In northern Europe, the Red Cross played an import-

ant role in civil defence, he said. Dr. Dale said that New Zealand should be prepared to aid South-east Asia “at the drop of a hat.” But aid should not be delayed until disaster struck. There was an urgent and immediate need for hospitals. New Zealand could supply simple medicines, train nurses and even build hospitals. Drivers Arc Trained (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 12. All A.A. patrol drivers in Wellington were fully qualified in first-aid, a spokesman for the Wellington Automobile Association said today. The spokesman said that first-aid was one of the first things in which an officer was instructed when he began his training and was regarded as most essential by the A.A. Many times during a patrol an officer was called on to administer first-aid; and at all times the patrol drivers were capable of doing it, the spokesman said.