Less than 18 months ago, Lachlan Hindrum, 16, didn’t know what a first aid competition was.
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However, it did not stop him from taking out third place in the individual category at the St John Ambulance Australia National Cadet Competition earlier this month.
The Launceston St John Ambulance cadet joined three other cadets from Hobart in Adelaide between January 5 and 12.
“I remember afterwards, our team manager came up to us, saying it’s the first time Tasmania has placed in [years] at the national championships,” Lachlan said.
“It’s interesting when you look back and see how far you have progressed.”
For one of Lachlan’s tasks, he arrived at a poolside to discover two boys had collided with each other.
He had to treat an “unconscious” boy and a boy with a badly fractured wrist in less than 15 minutes before he handed over the scenario and a report to the paramedics.
“It is instinctive now. The very first thing you do is check for danger,” Lachlan said.
There were three sections in the competition – team, individual and cadet leader.
He was really happy with how Tasmania competed.
Tasmania took out fifth place overall.
“We all went in together and we had to set up a first aid post, and then from there we started into our different scenarios,” Lachlan said.
Joining the cadets would help him prepare for a career as a paramedic.
If someone was planning on entering a health profession, he couldn’t recommend being a cadet enough, Lachlan said.
It has taken him to Marion Bay Falls Festival, SuperSprint Supercars and the Tasmania Craft Fair as well as many other events.
St John Ambulance state officer of cadets Vanessa Henry said the Hobart team came fourth in their category.
“I was really proud to see how the cadets participated in the competition,” Ms Henry said.
The competition gave the cadets the opportunity to test their abilities in a stressful environment, helping to foster their leadership and first aid skills, she said. “People in general within the community need to update their first aid skills so they can then participate and look after their own family members and friends.” The cadets would be busy working on their skills before the next state competition in July.
Tess Brunton
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
