Medicos super on V8 track

By CAPT Sandra Turner

SQNLDR Bruce Paix, WGCDR Bill Griggs, AIRCDRE Roger Capps and WGCDR Andrew Pearce at the Clipsal 500.

Photo by LAC Mike Lucas.

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* Four Air Force reservists have been practising their skills in emergency trauma and retrieval procedures at the Clipsal 500 V8 supercar race meeting since the first Adelaide Grand Prix in 1985. The reservists are part of a multi-agency team of nearly 50 people who ensure drivers in the races are given the emergency support they require if they have an accident. .

THE rumble of V8 supercars on the city streets of Adelaide are far removed from the devastated roads in Banda Aceh, but for a small medical team in South Australia, it’s all in a days work wherever they are.

For Air Force Reservists Air Commodore Roger Capps, Wing Commander Andrew Pearce, Wing Commander Bill Griggs and Squadron Leader Bruce Paix, the Clipsal 500 V8 supercar race meeting provides another opportunity to practice their skills in emergency trauma and retrieval procedures.

Recently returned from Banda Aceh, as either military support or as part of the Government-led civilian specialist support team, this group of medicos have, between them, volunteered their services to motor racing in South Australia since the first Adelaide Grand Prix in 1985.

A multi-agency team of nearly 50 people work together at the Clipsal 500 to ensure drivers in all races are given the emergency support they require if they have an accident. The injured are initially treated at the track and evacuated to The Royal Adelaide Hospital as required.

For four days a year, this group of volunteers spend long days either in specific locations around the Adelaide race track or in the chase/safety cars on the track itself, ensuring the best possible support for race participants.

WGCDR Pearce, who is an emergency physician and trauma consultant, said it was the team approach that really made their job easier. The support team comprises ambulance and paramedic staff and volunteer doctors and nurses.

“For those of us who are also in the ADF, our training helps with our experience rather than hinders us,” he said.

“Working together in a multi-disciplinary team in times of crisis enables us to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible, which is essential in this role, as it’s important to be able to make accurate clinical decisions quickly.

“The ability to use my training in a hospital situation, as a volunteer at the race track and as an Air Force Reservist in areas of conflict and destruction enables me to continually maintain my skills in real-life situations.”

After a long four days at the track it’s back to work for this team in their respective emergency medicine roles in Adelaide hospitals, and it’s another year before the next Clipsal 500 V8 supercar race.

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