ST JOHN Ambulance volunteers have treated a “steady flow of patients” with minor complaints on Day 1 of the Tamworth Country Music Festival.
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St John Ambulance NSW event commander Peter Cameron said teams at the four different locations across the city had given first aid for heat-related illness and small injuries such as blisters.
But with another hot night and nine days still to go, they’re expecting – and prepared for – a lot more, he said.
“Our responders are trained to deal with anything that presents, really, from basic small wounds right through to cardiac arrest, strokes and seizures,” Mr Cameron said.
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“Anything that presents, we’re ready and able to deal with – and of course if anyone is critically unwell, they’re referred to NSW Ambulance to be taken to hospital.”
The St John posts are:
- in Bicentennial Park near the toilet block;
- in Peel Street near the post office;
- at West Tamworth League Club; and
- at TRECC.
Mr Cameron said they would be staffed by up to 30 volunteers in two shifts per day.
“We have volunteers from all over NSW coming for the 10-day festival,” he said.
He said that, given the extreme heat, festival-goers and locals out and about needed to be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness: fatigue, dehydration, light-headedness, headache and nausea.
But it was better to avoid that to begin with.
“It’s important for people to stay indoors or in areas that are shady and cool as much as possible,” he said.
“But if you do come out to enjoy, wear a hat, put sunscreen on, wear sunglasses, drink plenty of water and rest regularly.”