Much has been spoken about health and safety on the farm. Nineteen Tararua farmers came together recently to complete a one-day first aid training course run by St John. Initiated and partially funded by Tararua Women In Farming, it was pleasing to note an equal gender split in attendees.
The skills gained by attendees are designed to provide the confidence to help in a first aid situation where expertise may not be available straight away. Highlighting and reinforcing skills such as the DRSABCD gives a planned method of approaching an accident or medical emergency.
![Sorting out how to use a defibrillator.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/4M7DSAOJP4BPESIFOWD2QSYKE4.jpg?auth=340a5d3b1161e24bca42b762e1a007d3d31adad2ba9ac9f567df25058f3e488f&width=16&height=9&quality=70&smart=true)
Communication with services is a concern for many and it's great to see community members being proactive to try and ensure that if an accident or medical emergency did occur in our rural setting we have the skills to give help.
As Mike the tutor kept reinforcing, it's not just at work but sports, holidays, community events and in the home that these skills may be needed.