Red Cross Proposes Compulsory First Aid Training for Drivers
Public Service Vehicle (PSV) drivers, and new drivers should undergo basic first aid training, suggests a Fiji Red Cross (FRC) representative.
Its Northern Division manager Mitieli Duvuloco said this after an accident in Tabia, Labasa on Tuesday.
Mr Duvuloco, who has eight years of first aid responder’s experience, assisted passengers and a driver after a bus, a truck and a government vehicle were involved in the
accident.
“If there was a first-aider in the bus, especially the driver (if not injured) could have immediately assisted the victims before help arrived to limit injuries and reduce shock from victims,” Mr Duvuloco said.
He said PSV drivers should ensure that they transport their passengers in a safe environment and if a problem arises, the driver should be trained to assist.
Mr Duvuloco said first aid knowledge should be among the requirements in applying for a driver’s licence.
“PSV drivers have to be familiar and trained with first aid knowledge,” he said.
“You can’t let accidents continue. Improve the ability of drivers to ensure their passengers are safely assisted with first-aid.” He commended the bus driver in the accident for ensuring that his passengers were safe after the accident.
“When I approached the driver before he came out, he asked me for an injury update to his passengers,” he said.
Labasa Taxi Association general secretary Sujit Sharma, requested
drivers to understand their roles of being competent drivers.
“Every PSV vehicle must have a first aid kit which is a law of LTA, and if drivers did not have, go and buy one because accidents happen anytime.”
Meanwhile, he objected to the proposal for the first aid knowledge to be a compulsory requirement for PSV drivers and new drivers.
“If drivers are injured, they will not be able to help anyone, so the public must have some understanding for their own safety,” he added.