St John Ambulance Norfolk Island | Community group

St John Ambulance Norfolk Island

Phone: +672 3 22091

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25.01.2022 Knee injuries are common in sport, whether they arise from direct blows to the knee, a fall to the ground or a twist. To manage a knee injury: Follow RICE (Re...st, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and avoid HARM (Heat, Alcohol, Running, Massage). Splint where necessary. Assist the patient to walk using a human crutch, simple crutches or a walking stick. Seek medical aid. #FirstAidFactFriday

25.01.2022 Kudos to Lenny for his honesty.

24.01.2022 Chances are, if you think you need an Ambulance, you probably do. Norfolk Islands' Division of St John N.S.W. operates as a Community First Responder Service; all day, every day. If you need an Ambulance, Call Triple Zero (000), help is not far away. Stay calm, be clear and get the help you need.

23.01.2022 This 6-week-old baby who stopped breathing was saved after an Ohio officer successfully performed CPR. Would you know how to help?

22.01.2022 Since the start of the bushfire season St John Ambulance NSW has deployed over 400 volunteers, covered over 4000 hours in disaster and emergency relief, and hav...e been active at over 6 base camps, 3 fire stations and 25 evacuation centres. Thank you to all volunteers for all your hard work, dedication, and commitment to communities in need across NSW.

21.01.2022 Seizure First Aid. It’s good to know

20.01.2022 The Administrator’s media release is below: Coronavirus response travel ban In recognition of Norfolk Island being a remote community and its vulnerability to... coronavirus, I have declared a state of emergency. This decision has been made to protect the Norfolk Island community, which currently has no known cases of COVID-19. Effective from today, 17 March, a travel ban is in place in relation to passenger arrivals to the island. Only residents and essential staff will be able to travel to Norfolk Island until further notice, and anyone returning to the island will need to self-isolate for 14 days once on island. The population on Norfolk Island is, on average, older than the population on the mainland. This, together with the Island’s remote location and limited diagnostic and medical capability, makes the Island more vulnerable to the virus. The Island’s remote location means that some people would need to be aeromedically evacuated to the mainland should the virus take effect. Air Chathams and Air New Zealand have been informed and agencies are working with the airlines to manage the new arrangements. Air New Zealand flights will continue but will reduce in frequency and only carry passengers who are residents or essential staff. Anyone travelling to Norfolk Island from the mainland, whether they have travelled overseas or remained in Australia, is required to self-isolate for the specified 14-day period on their arrival to Norfolk Island. Medical evacuation flights are exempt from travel restrictions. Please see this fact sheet for further information and guidelines for self-isolation: https://www.health.gov.au//coronavirus-covid-19-isolation- I understand that the impact to the community will be significant and I will continue conversations with the Australian Government in relation to the Government’s economic response to COVID-19, including the recently announced $17.6 billion stimulus package. Businesses and individuals on Norfolk Island will have access to a range of measures designed to protect the economy, maintain confidence and keep people in jobs. Within this package, $1 billion has been set aside to support regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected, including those that are heavily reliant on industries such as tourism, agriculture and education. Coronavirus can lead to respiratory illness. Please follow the health advice provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and the Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Services (NIHRACS). If you have respiratory illness symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and are concerned you may have been exposed to coronavirus, then isolate yourself and call NIHRACS to discuss your circumstances do not attend the health service without calling. I continue to work with Australian Government agencies, Emergency Management Norfolk Island (EMNI), the Council and NIHRACS to ensure appropriate local response plans for coronavirus. For further information, see www.health.gov.au or phone the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. Decisions regarding the definition of ‘essential staff’ will be made by the Incident Management Team. If you have questions or require further information, please contact my Office on 22152. Eric Hutchinson Administrator of Norfolk Island 17 March 2020 https://www.regional.gov.au//media/2020/ni-a-mr-202017.aspx

20.01.2022 There are still no known cases of Covid-19 on Norfolk Island. However, as the community is aware, it is Emergency Management Norfolk Island (EMNI)'s job to plan... and prepare for the worst, (which EMNI can't do without of you), while hoping for the best. To that end, please refer to the below advertisement from NIHRACS and share with those you think may be interested. Thanks yorlye, EMNI. See more

20.01.2022 Brrrr we might need this tonight Norfolk Island

19.01.2022 I haven;t worked out how to get this on to insta or tiktok yet, best I ask the 12 year old.

19.01.2022 Message from the Medical Superintendent of NIHRACS Update for the Public: COVID 19 9 April 2020 It feels like a century ago that we heard about a virus in China..., but in a mere 100 days our world has been turned upside down. The life we used to have has changed. Our freedom has gone. In many cases we cannot work, finances are tight and we have reduced social contact with our family and friends. We are on a beautiful island and cannot fully enjoy all it has to offer. These are very stressful times for many people on Norfolk and across the world. TV, radio or social media do not help because this shows how severely the pandemic is affecting everyone. This can make people more angry, sad or anxious. From that point of view Norfolk is no different to other parts of the world. Norfolk is different though, in that we are in a ‘bubble ‘and can find it difficult to experience the reality of the situation. It is hard to imagine what all the fuss is about when we are so far removed geographically and personally. Norfolk is different in other ways too. At this point we don’t seem to have COVID-19 on the island and if it is here, we are managing to keep it from spreading rapidly. We are also different from many other places in the world in that we are a very small, supportive community, whereby we share and help one another in difficult times. During or after a traumatic event people often feel different emotions; some anger, some grief, some hopelessness and some thankfully a positivity to just get on with the job at hand. It is important to understand what your emotions are and what others around you are experiencing. Try to be helpful, rather than criticising others who may feel or react differently to you. It is not a person or people who are restricting your life at the moment it is the virus! You will have heard repeatedly on TV about ‘flattening the curve’. What does this mean? It means that instead of 100 people being infected all at once (which could lead to a higher death rate because the medical services cannot cope), we reduce the spread of cases into a community to a slow trickle, allowing people to become immune to the virus and the health workers to cope with the illness. Pathway forward: The lockdown on Norfolk was initiated due to several people breaching their self-isolation. This created the risk of the virus entering and spreading across the island. To date, we do not have positive swab tests, but need to be mindful that the test has a 70% success rate (in other words 30% false negative rate). We are seeing an increase in respiratory infections at the moment (as is usual in autumn and winter) and with the reduction in flights, we cannot get swabs to a metropolitan area more than 23 times a week. So despite negative tests, we are maintaining a very cautious approach for the good of everyone. We have decreased the numbers of incoming passengers which of course is our biggest area of risk. In time and with strict isolation measures, we should be able to have a better idea of whether COVID-19 has come to the island and if so, how it is spreading. It would be truly naïve (knowing that there are millions of cases in all countries around the world), to believe that we can keep COVID-19 away permanently. If all is going well, and we are happy that the risk of infection or spread is low, we will be able to go out of lockdown and back to the measures we had prior to that, while monitoring the success of our methods. Should we note that the disease is on the island and spreading we may need to increase restrictions. Ultimately a vaccine is the best answer but this may be many months away. Important factors in reducing spread of the virus: Isolation: every passenger entering Norfolk will be put into quarantine away from others for 2 weeks (or longer should they become unwell). Anyone on the island who is displaying symptoms that could be COVID -19 will be tested and kept isolated until their test returns negative or they are well. Social distancing. This is still seen as the most important way to reduce spread of the virus. This involves: - Limiting numbers of people gathering together - Maintaining safe distances between persons in offices and workplaces during face to face meetings 1.5m between each person - Reduce non-essential social contact especially for older people and people with health problems - Avoid touching the face (except after hand washing) Testing for COVID-19 At present we have increased our testing in line with guidelines from NSW Health. We still only test people with symptoms that may be COVID-19. Our test would be negative if we tested well people. There is discussion in Australia about blood testing and we are keeping up to date with this development. As soon as it is available, we will advocate for it to be available on Norfolk. Please call us on 22091 should you become ill. Our doctors can speak to you on the telephone and if necessary send a nurse out to take a swab, advise you to come to our drive in testing or get you to come to the hospital. Please do not come to the hospital without calling, unless it is urgent, in which case, please call an ambulance on 000. Influenza vaccines These should be available within the next few weeks. We will announce in the media how we intend to arrange vaccination as soon as we receive them. We encourage as many people as possible on Norfolk to have this injection, as we are obviously trying to prevent a simultaneous influenza and COVID-19 outbreak both for our at-risk patients and our limited numbers of healthcare workers. Keeping the people of Norfolk safe will rely on cooperation from all of us. Thank you to each and every one on Norfolk for working together to help our community. Dr Michelle Bonnici Medical Superintendent, NIHRACS

18.01.2022 Bees seem to be getting the tough run lately. Anaphylaxis can turn very badly, very quickly. If you know anyone with Bee sting allergies, or food allergies, take the time to learn how to use an EpiPen. Plenty of videos online, or come to one of Louise's courses. You never know, you may just save a life.

18.01.2022 Beyond Blue resources - worth a look orn fe dem who nor feel dar gude. Doont yorlye forget to teck one look at dar pink (close) moon des night and morla night fe dar full moon https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/

17.01.2022 While some restrictions may have lifted, there are other burdens we'll bearing for quite some time to come.

15.01.2022 UPDATE: 1145 Monday 16 March 2020: the advice (edited) in the below message of 0645 still stands. Stay indoors and stay safe everyone. EMNI Updated Cyclone res...ponse as at 0645 Monday 16 March: RED Alert continues for Monday 16 March 2020. Tropical Cyclone Gretel will pass well to the northeast of Norfolk Island. Note: Take screen shots of this post so you can refer to it if the internet drops out (in which case listen to the radio for further updates; AM 1566 if 89.9 FM drops out). The Emergency Management Controller advises the community and visitors to take shelter. In an emergency or if you require shelter, call 000. Emergency Management Norfolk Island (EMNI) advises that a RED Alert remains current; expect it to be unsafe to go outside. Take action in accordance with the below RED Alert advice (also refer Orange Alert if you haven't already seen it). The community and visitors are encouraged to follow the advice below, subject to any further updates: RED ALERT: For your safety and the safety of others - seek shelter. Stay home. Keep listening to your radio for information on the cyclone's progress. Disconnect electrical appliances and turn off gas valves. Ensure pets and animals are safely sheltered. Go to the safest part of your house or the building you are in (i.e. internal hallway, bathroom or toilet). Keep your emergency kit with you. Stay away from doors and windows, and keep them closed. Stay inside until the White Alert - ALL CLEAR is given by authorities. A reminder that 'seek shelter' means DO NOT go outside. NIRC have advised that if there are lines or trees down, please advise the authorities. Please leave it to Electricity to attend to the fallen trees and lines, for everyone's safety. NIHRACS have advised the GP Clinic will be closed on Monday, other than for emergencies. NICS and Banyan Park Playcentre will also be closed on Monday 16 March. Background: Tropical Cyclone Gretel is expected to have impact on Norfolk Island on Monday 16 March 2020 with sustained damaging gale force winds of 60-70km/hr (35 knots) with gusts in excess of 90km/hr (50 knots), with winds most likely to peak in the early afternoon. There is a possibility of sustained destructive storm force winds (90km/hr or 50 knots) with gusts above 125km/hr (70 knots) on Monday. The system is expected to maintain an intensity equivalent to a category 2 tropical cyclone as it passes to the north and east of the island. Damaging surf conditions and significant beach erosion is expected: http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDQ65253.shtml

14.01.2022 Updated as at 1600hrs (4pm) Sunday 15 March Take screen shots of this post so you can refer to it if the internet drops out. EMNI Update Cyclone response: ORA...NGE Alert Tropical Cyclone Gretel is expected to impact Norfolk Island on Monday 16 March 2020 with sustained damaging gale force winds of 65km/hr (35 knots) with gusts in excess of 90km/hr (50 knots). There is a high likelihood of sustained destructive storm force winds (90km/hr or 50 knots) with gusts above 125km/hr (70 knots) on Monday. The system is expected to maintain an intensity equivalent to a category 2 tropical cyclone as it passes to the north and east of the island. Emergency Management Norfolk Island (EMNI) advises that the Cyclone Response Plan has been activated. As at Sunday, the Plan is in Phase Five: ORANGE Alert. Red Alert will be initiated early Monday morning. Gale force winds are expected from Sunday evening. If internet drops out before a further update is made by this page, assume Red Alert has been initiated unless otherwise advised (on the radio, if FM isn’t working, use AM 1566). ORANGE ALERT: The community is encouraged to keep up to date with the cyclone development through radio, television or internet. Fuel your vehicles and park them in a sheltered area with the hand break on and in park or first gear. Make sure you have extra credit on your mobile phone and batteries for radio and torches. Charge mobile phones and other essential devices. Ensure your emergency kit is complete (inc first aid kit) and emergency water containers and buckets, even bathtubs, are full. Make sure your neighbours have received this warning. If you are ready and they need help, give them a hand. Board up or heavily tape exposed windows. Close curtains. Pack a relocation kit, including warm clothes. Place valuables, important papers and photos in waterproof bags to be taken with your emergency kit. Prepare to move quickly to the strongest part of your house (or to a neighbour, friend or family member's house if required). Ensure your children are home. Ensure your pets are indoors, sheltered and/or secured. Secure rubbish bins. Gather tools that will be needed for emergency repairs e.g. hammer, nails, rope, tarps & chainsaws. Prepare the safest part of your house (usually the bathroom) and place emergency stores there. Make a final check of your preparations. LIKE and follow this page (EMNI) and the BoM's Faceook page if you haven't already done so. SHARE this information with others. RED ALERT: Seek shelter. Keep listening to your radio (AM 1566) for information on the cyclone's progress. Disconnect electrical appliances and turn off gas valves. Ensure pets and animals are safely sheltered. Go immediately to the safest part of your house or building you are in (i.e. internal hallway, bathroom or toilet). Keep your emergency kit with you. Stay away from doors and windows, and keep them closed and locked. Stay inside until the White Alert - ALL CLEAR is given by authorities. Seek shelter means do not go outside. DO NOT make unnecessary demands on the emergency services, including Electricity. Beware of the calm "eye" of the cyclone and do not go outside until you are advised to to so. Rawson Hall will be open from 0700 hours Monday as an alternative shelter for those who may need an alternative. Pets are permitted. Bedding will not be supplied. Bring your emergency kit (as above) and food/snacks to get you through the day. WHITE ALERT: Cyclone has passed but damage not yet assessed. Keep listening to your radio. Stay inside until the White Alert - ALL CLEAR is given by authorities. If you need to go outside, be careful because power lines could be down and there may be fallen trees, broken plumbing, loose roofing iron and other material and debris. Do not touch wet switches, and be aware of fallen lines - treat them as if they are live. Stay at home, resist the urge to go sightseeing. Keep listening to your radio and follow advice from authorities. Do not make unnecessary demands on the emergency services or on essential services such as Electricity. NIRC have advised that if there is a tree down, please leave it to Electricity to attend to. In an emergency, call 000. BoM Update: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/norfolkisland.shtml

13.01.2022 Think F.A.S.T. act fast. If you suspect a stroke, call 000,

12.01.2022 COVID-19 I spent the last 30 minutes trying to write something different, possibly a little clever about COVID-19, somewhere along the way, it seems to have disappeared, so it is back to basics. With all the work being done around COVID-19, here and everywhere else there are a few really simple things to remember to help us, we still have no reported cases of COVID-19 on Norfolk, to try and keep it that way, remember.... 1. Stop hugging strangers, I'm looking at you Trent Christian, though I admit I'm just as bad, person to person contact is how this virus spreads. 2. Wash your hands, take the time, before you go out, when you get home, especially if you smoke, have been counting money, using the bathroom, been somewhere with plenty other people, if you don't 'catch it' you can't 'catch it'. 3. If you need to cough or sneeze, face down with your elbow over your nose, COVID-19 is transmitted primarily through tiny fluid droplets, keep it on the ground, the same way you wouldn't blow smoke into any ones face, don't sneeze or cough on people. We are a happy, healthy, strong community, we should be fine, look after each other, if you do have flu symptoms, stay home, call NIHRACS and speak with the experts. Keep informed, don't worry too much about what the tea leaves are saying, keep to links like the ones below and ignore the fear mongering. Try and be a positive influence, if Aunty is worried, reassure her, if Uncle hides under the bed again, tell him not to worry, there are plenty out here to help if need be. https://www.health.nsw.gov.au//Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx

12.01.2022 While we all know the best way to avoid a hangover, is to avoid the drink, sometimes this is easier said than done. We all need a Plan B. Merry Christmas Everyone, stay safe, look after each other, remember we are here if you need help, and the wise words of Mother Theresa, "it is not how much we give but how much love we put into giving" Follow these tips to lessen the chances of getting a hangover:... Don't drink on an empty stomach. Before you go out, have a meal that includes carbohydrates (such as pasta or rice) or fats. The food will help slow down the body's absorption of alcohol. Drink slowly and don't have more than 1 alcoholic drink every hour. Don't drink dark-coloured drinks if you've found that you're sensitive to them. They contain natural chemicals called 'congeners' (impurities), which irritate blood vessels and tissue in the brain and can make a hangover worse. Drink water or non-sparkling soft drinks in between each alcoholic drink. Carbonated (sparkling) drinks speed up the absorption of alcohol into your system. Drink plenty of water before you go to sleep. Keep a glass of water by the bed to sip if you wake up during the night.

10.01.2022 We are all in this together, if you’re not feeling well, it is as important now to ask for help as ever. People are still going to fall out of trees, trip on skateboards or just have a bad day. If you are feeling like it is all too much, we are here for you, just as much as we are to help when you se tip up en car get up. Let's help each other out and help each other up, we'll get through this together. Remember, if you think you need help, you probably do..... and we’re here to help. Call Triple Zero (000), or NIHRACS on 22091.

10.01.2022 A new, dedicated Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is now available to support all people in Australia to manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic ...on their mental health and wellbeing. Funded by the Australian Government, the free service is available around the clock. It offers easy access to a broad range of support, from online wellbeing tips and self help tools, to phone counselling from trained mental health professionals and peer-to-peer support. You can access the free service now at bb.org.au/3c1shzD.

09.01.2022 A new facebook page for NIHRACS, keep up to date with the team at NIHRACS

07.01.2022 Little Adela had collapsed on the floor in her class and started having a febrile convulsion. There was no movement, nothing. She had blue lips. There was frot...h around her mouth. Luckily the school staff members had only recently taken a St John Ambulance first aid refresher course and headteacher Bill James knew exactly what to do. https://www.daynurseries.co.uk//Headteacher-saves-four-yea See more

07.01.2022 As we all grow a little weary of current predicament, talking to a neighbour or loved one has never meant more. Some of us are feeling it more than others, take a minute, have the conversation. We are all so lucky to be here, safe and well.

05.01.2022 But by the grace of your nondenominational being on high do we not have to experience scenes like this. Please spare a moment for the millions of people (literally) around New South Wales and Queensland who'll sleep uneasily this coming week. Coming up to our own dry season, keep your gutters clean and a hose handy. You never know.

05.01.2022 Remember, stay calm, rest and reassure, one puff (with a spacer if you can), four breaths, four times, wait four minutes and repeat. And as always, if you think you need an ambulance, you probably do. We need to breathe, to live, an Asthma attack can be a life threatening emergency.

04.01.2022 Easier said than done sometimes, but being calm helps any situation.

03.01.2022 Think FAST, act quickly, I realise we are all a bit nosocomephobic at the moment but please don't be, we're going to get sick, we're going to need help and that's o.k., if you are feeling un-well, call NIHRACS, if you're in trouble, ring triple zero (000), remember, if you think you need an ambulance, you probably do.

02.01.2022 How to manage a fractured nose: 1. Assess for associated head injury, concussion and neck injury first. 2. Manage bleeding, sit patient up with head positioned ...forward if available apply icepacks to back of neck and forehead. 3. Instruct the patient NOT to blow nose. 4. Seek medical aid. #FirstAidFactFriday See more

02.01.2022 Any time you notice changes or just feel that something’s not quite right with a friend, neighbour or loved one - trust the signs, trust your gut and ask R U OK?

01.01.2022 EMNI Cyclone response, YELLOW Alert: A tropical low is expected to impact Norfolk Island on Monday 16 March 2020 with sustained damaging gale force winds (mean... winds of 35 knots with gusts of 60 knots (>110 km/hr) and a strong likelihood of sustained destructive storm force winds (mean winds of 50 knots (90 km/hr) with gusts of >70 knots (>130 km/hr)). Emergency Management Norfolk Island (EMNI) advises that the Cyclone Response Plan has been activated. As at Saturday afternoon 14 March, the Plan is in Phase Four: Yellow Alert Phase. The community is encouraged to keep up to date with the cyclone development by liking and following this page, through radio, television or the internet, including this page and/or the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM)'s Facebook page and website: http://www.bom.gov.au/ Secure boats, trailers, garden sheds, rainwater tanks and LPG bottles and tie down points. Store or secure other loose items like outdoor furniture that are likely to be thrown about by destructive winds. Consider sheltering pets early. UPDATE: Refer to the EMNI Facebook page for the ORANGE Alert that was initiated Sunday morning, and the Red Alert that is likely to be issued late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

01.01.2022 We've a bit on this weekend, as usual, let's look after each other and stay safe.