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We have all dreamed of being superheroes with unmatched strength and speed who bravely rescue innocent civilians in need. Well, today that dream may just come true. While I cannot promise you the boots and red cape, I can tell you how to help your fellow drivers: get first aid training! When there is a collision on the road, you can learn how to be proactive at the scene – and potentially save someone’s life. Why Should I Take a First Aid Course? As a haulage driver, you spend most of your time on the road, making you the ideal first responder. As you are most likely to be the first person to reach the scene of the collision, it is important to know what to do. While most haulage jobs require a minimum first aid training that meets the mandatory CPC standards, an additional training course will make you even more efficient. Simply put, the more qualified you are to deal with the accident, the better the outcome will be for all those involved. Where Can I Do the Course? Thanks to the non-profit organisation Driver First Assist (aka DFA), which was launched in 2014 at the Commercial Vehicle Show, hauliers have access to basic aid training and advice. With the help of emergency service workers, they run courses in first aid and accident responses. I know that haulage jobs keep you busy, but do not worry. Even with your long and erratic hours, trainers can work around your schedule. One haulier even took his training in his home depot! What Does the Course Cover? • Parking Safely When you reach the scene, the first thing to do is to cordon off the area where the collision took place. The advantage of our line of work is that you will be driving a large van or truck: a perfect roadblock! You can use your vehicle to section off the area and prevent further damage. Learn how and when to park your van so that it shields the accident, keeping those involved safe until emergency services arrive. • Notifying Emergency Services As you well know, the most important thing to do after an accident is to call the emergency services. Remember to stay calm, let responders know where the incident took place and how severe the situation is. Thanks to you, they will be able to deploy the right resources straight away and quickly get to the scene. • Tending to Casualties At the scene, you may notice that someone needs medical attention. Once you have called an ambulance, you will be able to use your first aid training to help tend to any wounds until the medics arrive. Your skills could prevent an injury from being fatal. Haulage jobs are not limited to driving freight up and down the UK. With just a few hours of training, you really can save lives. So, what are you waiting for? Join a first aid course! Oh, and don’t forget your capes – it is time to be a hero. Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting logistics professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange provides services for matching haulage jobs with available drivers. Over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.
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