Rescuing Khao Lak

Our featured community heroes this issue are the men and women first-responders of the Khao Lak Rescue Volunteers Organization

Holidaymakers travelling abroad tend to take the existence of an ambulance service for granted, much as they would in their home country.However, you may be surprised to learn that in Thailand this service is for the most part not provided by national or local government, but by dedicated groups of volunteers.

We sit down with the spokesman of one such local group, Stephan Dietrich, to find out more…

So Stephan, what does the Khao Lak Rescue Volunteers Organization (KLRVO) do? We provide first aid and secondary care to any kind of accident or incident. Patient transport to Takua Pa hospital is always free of charge.

As well as the medical help we provide we get called out to everything from fires and flooding to sea search and rescue for missing swimmers. We even get asked to catch unwanted snakes on owners’ properties occasionally.

When did the KLRVO start and whose idea was it?

The KLRVO was founded by Khun Sippawit Meechamnaan, a local businessman here in Khao Lak, about eight months after the 2004 Tsunami which, as everyone knows, completely devastated the region.

Thanks to his boundless energy, spirit and financial support the survival rate of accident victims in our area increased dramatically.

Where are you based and what area does your group cover?

We are based in Khuk Khak opposite the entrance to the JW Marriot resort. The rescue station is based there in case there was ever another natural disaster such as a Tsunami, so the station could remain operational.

We normally cover from the Khao Lak Lamru National Park Headquarters at the crest of the highway over the mountain and Sunset Beach below up to the reservoir just past Bang Niang.

We also assist Sawang Khuk Khak and Rescue Pak Weeb to cover any of the Khuk Khak and Pak Weeb areas if those teams are not available or need assistance.

What vehicles and equipment do you have?

At present we have two vehicles which have been modified as ambulances. Both are equipped with oxygen, Spinal Boards, Ambu-Bags, Collars, KED’s, and First Aid equipment. One of these vehicles has also been specially equipped with an oversized oxygen tank large enough to provide sufficient oxygen for transports to Phuket or beyond.

Is it true that you operate without government help?

Yes, that’s absolutely true – and that’s the same throughout Thailand – the vast majority of rescue vehicles are privately funded and operated.

Some organizations such as ‘Kusoldharm Foundation’ in Phuket are sponsored by individuals and companies so they usually have the newest ambulances and the best equipment.

So who pays your wages and for all the equipment KLRVO uses?

I get asked that a lot! Actually,everyone working for Khao Lak rescue is an unpaid volunteer and we all have full-time jobs in unrelated fields – from crane drivers and construction workers to hotel industry employees.

Our founder, Khun Meechamnaan, sponsored the very first set of first aid equipment, telephones, walkie-talkies and other necessary instruments from his own pocket and he continues to do so today.

The rest of our funding comes from volunteers’ pockets topped up with any donated money or equipment from outside sources.

How many volunteers are there then? And how well-trained are they for the job?

We have about 15 volunteers. All KLRVO volunteers need to undergo a medical first aid training course organized by Takua Pa Hospital. In addition, we are trained by the local police on how to handle traffic etc. to protect ourselves in the field.

As for me, I first completed my 7 month community service at the ‘Herzzentrum’ in Dresden, Germany. After that I started my diving career where I became an Emergency First Response Instructor. I also did more medical training where I learned to collect blood, stitch wounds, infection control, administer medical fluids (IVs) and more.

Does KLRVO liaise with the Police and Medical Services?

Yes. If there is an accident mostly we get called first then we will radio the police for assistance, but sometimes it is the other way around. If we have a patient who is severely sick or injured we call the hospital ambulance for assistance and meet it half way.

In Thailand a doctor is never called out for such cases. Based on an American model called ‘Scoop and Run’ the doctor waits for the patient at the hospital.

What vehicles or equipment do you NOT have that you need?

Because we have to provide all of the equipment the best we can and raise the funding for it, we can’t get the best equipment available on the market or have a proper ambulance.
This is one of our priorities if we have the funding in future.

We also worry about the increasing number of car accidents. So far we have been able to get victims out of their cars but one day this may not be possible as we do not have equipment to cut people free from their vehicles. Again this is something we are aiming for but it will require raising more funds.

Finally, is there anything you’d like to add?

Yes. People sometimes complain that the sirens on our vehicles disturb them, but they need to appreciate that without the siren we would not be able to make it so quickly to the scene of an accident – which can mean the difference between life and death, especially in cases where the patient is unconscious or losing a lot of blood.

Unlike some countries, there is no law in Thailand which says a bystander needs to help an accident victim, so we find that patients are often left by themselves until rescue arrives – making our early arrival at the scene even more vital.

Can our readers support Khao Lak Rescue’s work?

Yes. Donations are always very welcome. Anyone interested in supporting us with funds or equipment can contact me, in English or German, on 083-176-5873.

Emergency Numbers
Khao Lak Rescue
1669 or 083-176-5873 (German/English)
Stephan Dietrich
free transport to Takua Pa Hospital