Just as the Ironman Australia Port Macquarie athletes are gearing up for race day, so too are the medical volunteers.
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The 350-strong group of medical volunteers for Ironman Australia Port Macquarie features a mix of expertise from doctors and nurses to allied health professionals and university students.
The medical directors heading the team are Port Macquarie Base Hospital registered nurse Simon Ross and emergency staff specialist Dr Dawn Martin.
"The skills mix on the day is essential," Mr Ross said.
"We need a mix of qualified highly skilled doctors and nurses right through to students."
Medical volunteers are based in the medical tent and on the course.
Dr Martin said about 220 people came through the medical tent in 2018.
The medical volunteers' expertise meant only a handful of athletes needed treatment at Port Macquarie Base Hospital emergency department in 2018.
The medical team is preparing for about 300 people through the medical tent in 2019, given the record-breaking athlete numbers expected for the full-distance race and Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie.
More than 3000 athletes are competing on Sunday, May 5.
Port Macquarie Base Hospital project manager Kim Roberts is competing in the full-distance race.
"Being out there with all the volunteers cheering us on is absolutely fantastic," she said.
"There is nothing like a home Ironman."
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Lisa Tisdell
I'm a Port Macquarie News journalist, keen traveller, angler and cricket fan.
I'm a Port Macquarie News journalist, keen traveller, angler and cricket fan.
