TTRC First Aid training comes in handy for police corporal

Acting Corporal Louis York of the Toco Police Station had completed the second and final day of Trinidad & Tobago Red Cross (TTRC) First Aid training when he received a call that there was a car accident at the 27 and 1/4 mile post on the Toco Main Road.

On arriving at the scene with two other officers, he saw a stationwagon pinned to the bridge with three occupants, one man and two women.

The woman in the front passenger seat had injuries to her head and back. Instinctively and with his recently acquired training, he took command and assisted her from the vehicle, placing her on the side of the road.

At this point, the two TTRC First Aid tutors Christine Seepersad and Persad Ramlochan arrived on the scene.

They were pleased to see Cpl York lifting the patient correctly and checking her pulse.

Cpl York radioed for an ambulance which arrived 20 minutes later and transported the injured woman to the Sangre Grande Hospital.

 Ag Corporal York commented that even though he had finished his training an hour ago, it came in handy and he was pleased that he was able to assist the injured person the correct way.

Sergeant Ryan Khan, who is in charge of the Toco Police Station, has recommended all his officers undergo First Aid training.

He considered it necessary as very often his officers are first responders and it is important that they have knowledge of the correct procedure when dealing with injured persons.