On December 15, 2017, WCS organized a staff training session on first aid in Terney at the Sikhote-Alin Research Center (SARC).
Working in the field, especially with wild animals, poses a large number of health risks and potential dangers. Being prepared to deal with such situations can be critical when in the field. Therefore, being able to competently provide first aid to an injured colleague is a vital skill and mandatory requirement for employees of WCS Russia.
The workshop was organized by WCS Russia for 13 employees working both in Terney and Vladivostok, with sessions led by Polina Podushko, an ambulance paramedic from Terney District Hospital.
Seminar mentor Polina Podushko, an ambulance paramedic from Terney District Hospital,
demonstrates techniques of applying bandages.
After the theoretical part, all participants practiced basic methods of providing first aid.
As Igor Kolodin, the coordinator of the WCS anti-poaching program SMART noted: "The seminar was very useful and timely. I’m very pleased that the seminar provided current techniques, including the latest innovations in the first aid practice."
Some employees, such as Vladimir Melnikov, for example, already had extensive fieldwork experience, including in first aid. However, even such experienced field staff learned something new and useful from the seminar.
Part of the seminar included a brief introduction to using hand flares as protection from wildlife.
Ivan Seryodkin of Pacific Institute of Geography explained that flares can be used
both for signaling and for scaring away wild animals,
but they should be used carefully as these devices can be very dangerous.