First aid at Red Bull Air Race

First aid volunteers played a major part at the Red Bull Air Race in London last weekend, providing assistance to over 50 spectators during the two day event.

St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales’s) District deployed over 40 first aiders to ensure the safety of the visitors at the event, which took place along the Thames on 2 Aug and 3 Aug. On Saturday, members treated 27 casualties and dealt with a further 39 incidents the following day.

The volunteers were supported by four ambulances and crew, two treatment centres – one on both the North and South Bank - a doctor, two nurses and a buggy, which ensured easy access along the stretch of the river.

The team were on hand to deal with anything from dehydration to sunstroke, and in two extreme cases, members transported a spectator to hospital for further treatment.

‘The Red Bull Air Race was a particularly busy event, but we were fully prepared to deal with the large number of incidents which took place over the weekend’ said Ann Cable, Commissioner of St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales’s) District.

‘Two treatment centres ensured the safety of spectators on both sides of the Thames and we were suitably equipped to provide assistance for the two casualties who needed transportation to the nearest hospital.’

St John Ambulance London (Prince of Wales’s) District has around 4,000 volunteer members who provide over 500,000 hours of duty service throughout the year.

Typically, in 12 months they will treat well over 20,000 people at the popular carnivals, music and sporting events as well as countless smaller fetes and fayres that take place throughout the year.