New life-saving equipment for Karijini thanks to Tom Price youth
New life-saving equipment is destined for Karijini National Park thanks to a huge fundraising effort from young people involved in Tom Price’s local emergency services.
Two more automated external defibrillators (AED) and cabinets, along with eight snake bite kits, will be installed at key locations across the park.
Over the past five years, members of the St John Academy and Emergency Services Cadets have raised more than $36,000 towards supporting the health and safety of the Tom Price community.
As part of St John WA’s weekly program for 12-17-year-olds, team members choose a community-based project rooted in their new-found understanding of health, wellbeing, and leadership.
The Tom Price Academy team identified Karijini National Park as a strong contender for more public defibrillators and snake bite first aid kits due to its multitude of safety concerns, access issues and distance from major towns.
Visitors can be caught short by injury and heat in the park’s picturesque maze of gorges and swimming holes.
And with more than 600,000 visitors annually, cardiac arrests are bound to happen.
As a local St John ambulance volunteer and Academy leader, Tom Price teacher Nicole Kelly is well versed in the dangers that come with anyone accessing a remote national park.
“There’s a number of issues we see at Karijini,” Nicole said.
“One is not respecting the culture out here and the other one is being underprepared.
“And that’s what the Youth Academy is focusing on – making our community safer.
“This equipment will make the national park safer and help the rangers by ensuring tourists are more prepared to respond in case of emergency.”
St John Academy team member, 17-year-old Kale Guthrie, has been a key driver of the group’s fundraising effort for the new equipment.
“We’ve done a variety of different things from Halloween discos to bake sales to sausage sizzles – whatever we could do in the Tom Price community to try and fundraise for this,” Kale said.
“The town has really got around us.”
St John Academy have teamed up with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) for the equipment installation.
“There’s quite a range of safety issues here at Karijini National Park and preparation is always important,” DBCA senior ranger Karijini National Park, Rocky Simachila, said.
“We’re at least an hour away from Tom Price, so having first aid equipment available is important because it could save someone’s life.”
AEDs are portable devices designed for anyone to treat people experiencing cardiac arrest until emergency services arrive.
With only one in 10 people surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, they are key to saving lives.
Anyone can use an AED and specialist training is not required.
The St John Academy develops 12-17-year-olds as community leaders, equipping them with life-saving skills and a strong foundation for future healthcare careers.