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Paramedic students will put their studies into action as volunteers during Ironman Australia Port Macquarie.
More than 120 Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie paramedic students will volunteer for the May 7 event.
First year students will clock up clinical placement hours in a subject built around community internship.
Paramedics lecturer Adam Diamond said the students were given valuable experience but they were also giving something back.
“It is important they understand the role of a paramedic is very much community-based, especially in the regions,” Mr Diamond said.
First year lecturer Sam Burbridge said the Ironman Australia Port Macquarie volunteer experience helped students put their initial assessment skills into a real world environment.
Communication is a vital tool for paramedics.
Mr Diamond said the students would not only be communicating with people but communicating with people at their physically and emotionally most challenged.
The volunteer involvement also helps build the relationship between the university and the community.
First, second and third year paramedic students will volunteer their time.
The first year students will be catchers as the athletes cross the finishing line.
It gives them the opportunity to use initial patient assessment skills and walk the athletes through post-race options including food, re-hydration or a visit to the medical tent.
The second year students will be in roles within first aid and in a mobile capacity, as well as helping the first year students.
Third year students will primarily volunteer in and around the medical tent, which is a much sought after volunteer experience among the paramedic students.
Ironman Australia Port Macquarie recovery services director Vanessa Gray said the paramedic students’ experience on the day was so diverse.
“Not only are they given professional experience but they are feeling quite connected to Port Macquarie as well,” she said.
The lecturers are there for support too.
Mr Diamond said the experience was a great benefit for the students.
“It is a learning experience you don’t often get to be part of,” he said.
Third year student and peer tutor Kelly Stone said the volunteer experience built students’ confidence.
“When you are a paramedic you have to be really confident and good at working with different groups of people,” she said.
Ms Stone is excited about stepping up as a volunteer in the medical tent.
“Every year, you want to be the third years in the medical tent,” she said.
“You get swept up in the feeling of it.”
Second year paramedic student Chris Petrie will volunteer again at this year’s event.
“It’s very rewarding just volunteering and putting back into the race and into the community,” he said.
“It makes you grow as a student as well.”