Dave’s medical experience in high trauma situations has benefited the unit with practical experience which he shares generously. His training scenarios are legendary, delivered with plenty of humour and keeps the first aid skills of the crew to a high standard. Dave reliably turns up for callouts during which he maintains a calm, professional presence, recently involved with rescuing a kayaker on the Sumner bar and assessing an injured hang glider (watch video) during an evacuation to the helicopter
Sumner Lifeboat / Coastguard voluntary maritime search and rescue
By far the best first aid instructor ... very practical based and knowledgeable
Dave was great. It is so good to have a Coastguard guy teaching us first aid as he has knowledge of how we operate and the challenges we have on the boat etc… My mum attended and she said it was a real privilege to be able to sit in with us all yesterday. She is in awe of what we all do as volunteers. She was blown away with the knowledge/skills/experiences Dave has and shared… my mum comes from a medical background
I thought it was really great, one of the better instructors we have had. I liked the way he taught and there were stories which makes you remember. It wasn’t boring. I found myself totally engrossed throughout the whole course
Dave is conversant with every part of the body and highlights situations for every emergency trauma. His knowledge in the field is exceptional and offers solutions for events of trauma whether you are in the home, workplace, restaurant, attending a car accident, in the bush or in rough seas. Dave makes you think outside the box as to how you can preserve and prolong life until the ambulance arrives
Feedback from Canterbury/North Canterbury volunteers
First Aid Revalidation course
He has a wealth of experience which was very evident
He effectively used realistic examples to emphasise and bring to life (excuse the pun!) the lessons he was teaching
He didn't stick to a boring, prescribed 'script' or bluff us with zillions of PowerPoint slides, but kept us engaged and interested by use of his personality
After a career of 35 years in the British Army as a commando and infantry officer, I still learnt loads and was reminded of a great deal - thank you
Dave was great. He talked in ways that meant something to us a boaties. His sense of humour passed the day away with ease as when you’ve done the course multiple times it’s great to listen and work with someone who understands the marine environment
Feedback from Kaikoura volunteers
First Aid Revalidation and Comprehensive course
Education Sector
We have had Dave come do our refresher courses for 3 years. Dave is great and makes the day interactive, fun and tailors it to our needs, We highly recommend Dave
Colleen, Spreydon Baptist Community Early Learning Centre
Trade Sector
No mess delivery, engaged with our team, made us re-evaluate, the well-being which got us talking, great team building
Sam, Sam Bradley Building Ltd
Dave was very accommodating in delivery, completed over two sessions 3 to 7 pm, targeting our environment and well-being. Strongly recommend
Monique, ENGCO, Consulting Engineers
The discussion to use Dave was based on time and costing, his course delivered beyond expectations, his humour and experience had us captured the entire time
Camilla, Aurecon Engineering