ACCIDENT INJURIES

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 2

ACCIDENT INJURIES

FIRST-AID BY MOTORISTS AMBULANCE CLASSES BEING ARRANGED So that motorists will be enabled to give first aid when travelling, the Automobile Association (Otago) proposes during the coming year to form a division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. The announcement was made by the president (Mr F. J. Williams), at the annual meeting last night, following addresses by ambulance officials. Colonel P. H. Morey, of the St. John Ambulance Association, said members were no doubt perturbed over the number of accidents on the road. No matter how many regulations were introduced, accidents would not be avoided. His desire was that assistance should be readily given to the injured. Few cars carried first aid kits and few people knew the treatments to give. If any person could save another an hour’s pain it was time well spent, and the St. John Ambulance Brigade was available to give instruction throughits medical officers. The brigade was kept by practice and examination at a- degree of efficiency to give first aid at a moment’s notice.

The problem of road accidents had caused the brigade much concern, and he had brought down a scheme to train as many motorists as possible in first aid and to encourage all to carry first aid kits, said Colonel Morey. The motorists would then be able to give ready assistance to injured on the roads* and perhaps be the means of saving a life. The knowledge gained would /also be of value in their work and in their homes in relieving sufferers. He suggested that a division of the _ brigade should be formed within the limits of the as officer in charge of the Otago district, all that he would ask would be efficiency and the compilation of certain returns required by St. John’s Gate. If the association formed a class it would never regret it* he was sure. (Applause.) Superintendent J. C. White said it was estimated that only one in every 800 in New Zealand knew anything of first aid. He believed a great work could be done by the motorists, at little expense and personal inconvcnw ence, in giving assistance to the ini'u red.

Mr F. J. Williams (president) said he personally believed that the time was coming when every motorist would require to pass a first aid test before being granted a license. Even if that were not done, it would be a wonderful thing for a motorist to be able to give assistance to an injured person. He proposed to establish a class during the coming year, -'and if it were supported the association would, he was sure, have a very actjve and strong branch of the ambulance brigade./ (Applause.)