First aider chases no more horses

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 311, 31 October 1989, Page 3

First aider chases no more horses

BY

JULIE NATION

St John Ambulance stalwart George Murdie says he has "chased his last horse" and will be retiring from active duty at the end of the year.

His reference to horses stems from many years attendance of the Waimarino Rodeo as a St John's duty man, where frequently he was confronted by rampaging bulls and runaway horses. Mr Muraie is the sole registered St John Ambulance tutor in the Ohakune/Raetihi region and after serving for 53 years, is an honorary member. 73-year old Mr Murdie says his age is a factor in his retirement. "I'm too old to be kneeling down on the floor at practices," he said, "and far too old to be doing any more ambulance duty at the sports." Mr Murdie attended his last football match as a St John's representative or 'Zam Buk', over 10 years ago in "bitterly cold" conditions. He contracted pleuracy and received no thanks for his efforts. "Since then my wife hasn't let me attend" he said. Now he says, St John's face the problem of not having enough qualified first-aiders to cover all sports fixtures in the Waimarino. He successfully sat and passed his first aid certificate on 3 November 1937 and now, 50 years on, still thoroughly enjoys being part of the group. "Once an ambulance worker, always and ambulance worker," he said. "Once you learn the technique, you're

hooked." For many years he and other volunteers were required to sit their . first aid exam on a yearly basis under a qualified medical practitioner, in this way keeping in touch with constantly improving techniques. More receritly, this has been

modified to every three years.

Finding funds to buy essential medical supplies such as bandages, and money to cover expenses was no mean feat for St John's, even if it meant members sometimes paying out of their own pockets. This sometimes proved costly, particularly after spirited sports matches. Only twice in 50-odd years has the local St John's ever "gone public", instead relying on donations from groups, organisations or individuals that benefit from the voluntary service. Mr Murdie has himself repeatedly refused payment for his tutoring time, which in 50 years adds up to thousands of hours. Public appeals raised funds for a first-aid mannikin and scoop stretcher. Mr Murdie is concerned at an apparent lack of interest by the public to learn first aid

techniques - particularly by coaches and sports officials, and says he would like to see it become a compulsary part of training. He is also keen to see basic first aid being taught to primary school aged children as a normal part of the school curriculum. The current first aid course being run in the Waimarino attracted only eight applicants, but Mr Murdie is hopeful two or three successful may go on to attend a three day tutor's course at the Wanganui Community College, next year. The eight week course has been condensed to four weeks with two classes a week, in an effort to finish it before Christmas. Successful firstaiders receive a certificate from St John's Ambulance, and a brand-new First Aid Manual.