FIRST AID WORK.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1178, 13 July 1911, Page 2

FIRST AID WORK.

SUGGESTED DEVELOPMENTS. Good progress is being made with tho work of ambulance training in Wellington at the present time, and 6ome important developments are in train.. .Twoiirstajd classes, for men and women respectively, both of which-were largely attended, have already run their course since winter commenced. Tito members of the'women's class sat for examination last week, and the members of the men's class are to sit for examination to-mor-row. A home nursing class for women is to be started at the end of this month, and an afternoon first-aid class for women will be started at the same time, provided a sufficient number of intending entrants hand in their names. Another first-aid class for men is to be started early next month. , With a view- t<S'fufthir''ixtinding ttio useful scope of its operations, the Ambulance Association intends to invoke the assistance of a number of employers of labour. The Harbour Board and the Wellington Gas Company at present encourage their employees to join ambulance classes by paying tlie fees of those who obtain "pass" certificates. It is suggested that private employers, particularly owners of foundries and other large, industrial establishments, might adopt a similar policy with advantage both to themselves and to those whom they employ. As a further development, it is hoped that employers of this class may 1)? induced to provide and keep on their premises a small stock of ambulance appliances. Advocates of this extension of ambulance work claim that it is exceedingly desirable from everv point of view. Prompt assistance rendered to the victims of accident would tend to minimise tho effect of the injuries sustained, and in somo instances, no doubt, would lead to the saving of life. Another consideration urged is that the presence in factories and workshops of skilled ambulance workers, provided with first-aid appliances, would tend to reduce the amounts which have to be paid in compensation to those who sustain injuries in the course of their labours. Pimilnrly. side by side, with tho saving of life, there would be a saving of some portion at least of tho sums paid to tho heirs of workers who are killed. Proposals of the nature here indicated will shortly be laid before local employers on behalf of the Ambulance Association.