The Piha/Karekare first response unit was first established in 1992. We are a group of people trained in pre-hospital emergency care via a five-day course, which is equivalent to early training given to ambulance officers. We regularily attend monthly training sessions, and observe within an ambulance, constantly updating our skills. We have oxygen, entonox (pain relief) and a defibrillator stored here in Karekare (and Piha) along with other equipment. We should be called for any serious medical situation. We attend calls such as: broken arms, fainting, cliff rescues, car accidents, back pain, unconscious patients. Any query is considered seriously..

Our typical first aid response is as follows: we respond to a call, give basic treatment to patient(s), manage the scene, liase with ambulance control and other emergency services until the ambulance arrives, then we hand over to the ambulance staff who transport the patient to hospital. In June 2002 we were officially incorporated into the St John Ambulance system giving us access to more training, equipment and hopefully ensuring a better standard of care. We are currently applying for funding to have our equipment up-dated and to acquire a defibrillator (we currently share Karekare Surf Club's). We are awaiting uniforms which will give extra reassurance to patients when attending to accidents and emergencies.

The Karekare group consists of: Rebecca and Karel Witten-Hannah, Paul Buchanan, Shalema and Shawn Wanden-Hannay. We are contacted via a pager system from St John Ambulance. We also respond to calls on the Piha Road and in Piha itself.

If you need help
1. Phone 111
2. Ask for ambulance
3. Keep calm. Be clear
4. Tell them where (the incident is)
5. Tell them who (you are and your phone number)
6. Tell them what (has happened)

We will try to respond to all calls but sometimes we are out of the area. Any enquiries to Rebecca Witten-Hannah Ph 8128863.

by Rebecca Witten-Hannah