Adequate first aid training and equipment are essential for reducing the impact of any injury or sudden illness. Standards of training and equipment will vary according to the injuries that may occur. Injuries occurring in the office environment are likely to be less severe than those occurring at remote exploration and drilling sites.
First aid is usually the first medical assistance given to save lives and reduce the impact of an injury before professional medical assistance is available. In remote exploration activities, the time delay between an accident and arrival of professional assistance can be many hours, or even days. This delay has a significant influence on the training and equipment required, and also on the mental preparedness of the first aider.
This Minerals exploration safety guidance note is not a first aid manual. Details of first aid practices are available in numerous manuals and training programs conducted by the Red Cross, St John Ambulance, Queensland Ambulance Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Important first aid points to consider for exploration work include the following:
• All field staff, including contractors’ staff, should hold at least a basic first aid certificate and receive basic refresher training each field season.
• All field parties should have at least one person with a senior first aid certificate or higher qualification.
• As the size, remoteness or hazards of the exploration work increase, the higher the first aid qualifications required. In a large remote camp, a paramedic may also be required.
• Full use should be made of remote area first aid training provided by the Queensland Ambulance Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
First aid kit requirements will also vary depending upon locations and hazards. In general consider:
• providing appropriate first aid kits in all vehicles
• providing a substantial first aid kit with each field party
• not allowing any person without immediate access to a first aid kit into the field
• providing a well-equipped first aid room in a major camp in a remote location.