By SGT Claire Beauvais
Waterhouse Trophy - Image 1
The Waterhouse Trophy is an annual, tri-Service medical first aid competition. Last year the event was hosted by the Joint Services Health School at Burnham Military Camp on 7 November 2009. A total of 15 teams entered from the Navy, Army, and Air Force, with the addition of a civilian Civil Defence Emergency Response team. Sergeant Claire Beauvais was there…
The Royal New Zealand Air Force entered two teams—one from Base Medical Flight (BMF) Auckland and the other from BMF Woodbourne—with skill levels ranging from junior medics to nursing officers and specialists. 2009 was the first year that Air had entered more than one team and we made the most of it.
The competition consists of four tests; each providing their own unique elements of challenge:
- Test One—CPR
CPR had a twist injected with the use of an Automated External Defibrillator—a great learning tool.
- Test Two—Written Test
Plenty of distractions to contend with—watching a DVD, listening to loud music, and other visual cues—while answering questions from the Defence First Aid Manual.
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- Test Three—Transport
The timed course proved to be as demanding as ever—set in a quarry pit, complete with water hazards, unstable slopes, and multiple obstacles.
- Test Four—Pairs
The team was split, one team working in a container with multiple hazards and lighting issues, the other testing their skills in treating while ‘on the move’ in a Unimog.
- Test Five—Teamwork
Stimulated the senses and assessed leadership and courage under fire—paintball evasion skills! BMF WB displayed outstanding skills and scored top points.
- Test Six—Mass Casualty
One of the worst-case scenarios’ that medics can encounter—limited personnel and resources, with loads of complicated injuries.
The RNZAF Medical Trade had a successful day and did not go home empty handed. Achievements included:
- Bremner Trophy for the best NZDF Medical Unit and outstanding efforts for 2009—BMF Auckland
- 7th equal Placing—BMF Auckland
- 10th Placing—BMF Woodbourne (a gratifying achievement given the strength of the competition)
Waterhouse is open to all New Zealand Defence Force first aid trained personnel. It’s a fun day full of physical and mental exertion. I encourage personnel to enter a team for 2010 and step up to the challenge of beating medics at their own game.
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RNZAF Teams
Base Auckland Team
- SGT Claire Beauvais (Team Manager)
- CPT Dave Greenhough (Team Leader)
- LAC Todd Cate
- AC Siobhan Fahy
- LAC Josh Walby
Base Woodbourne Team
- LAC Stacey Van Stijn (Team Manager)
- CPL Stacey Adam (Team Leader)
- LAC Justine Moore
- PTE Nathan Newman
- LAC Alex Senior