Summary: Local health services can be quickly overwhelmed in the aftermath of a disaster. As a veteran-led disaster relief charity founded in 2022, Taskforce Kiwi identified an ethical imperative to not be a burden on disaster-affected health services while it assists that community in recovering. This requires the volunteers to have the appropriate first aid skills to treat likely injuries within the team. Taskforce Kiwi identified a skill gap between basic first aid and Defense Force/Emergency Services Medic training. With no appropriate courses available, Taskforce Kiwi developed a bespoke peer-led solution that does not require complex or extensive training equipment and can thus be easily implemented by other voluntary organizations in low-resource communities. The curriculum requirements were researched and are evidence-based, focusing on common injuries encountered by disaster relief volunteers, such as wounds prone to infection and soft tissue injuries. Delivery is a one-day session covering patient assessment, hemorrhage control, wound care, including delayed closure, heat stress, coached rehydration, scripted telehealth consultation, incident roles, and the use of standing orders for medication, including inhaled methoxyflurane analgesia. A public first aid certificate is a prerequisite, and a pre-course webinar enables the peer-led training to be delivered to volunteers in a timely and cost effective manner. Post-course surveys of the Disaster First Aid course indicate an average 28% increase in perceived confidence across numerous skills. Over three sessions, Disaster First Aider capacity was increased by 24 people. The participant’s most valuable session was wound cleaning, which involved using fresh dead pigskin, soil, simulated blood, steri-strips, and dressings. The Disaster First Aid course fills the training gap between basic first aid and trained medics, building capacity within Taskforce Kiwi. When funding and equipment are scarce, the course provides an effective solution to disaster volunteer organizations.
Campbell Doak (Sun,) studied this question.