The commitment made by Fulton Hogan Hiways (FHH) in providing compulsory First Aid training for the company’s 465 employees helped saved the life of Malevu villager, Ratu Ritova Baleilevuka.

On the morning of August 17, FHH Road Foreman, Meli Kapaiwai was driving with his wife, daughter and son on a weekend holiday when travelling through the village of Malevu on Viti Levu’s Coral Coast, he noticed villagers standing around a body lying on the ground.

Mr Kapawai stopped his vehicle and went to investigate. He was told that the man on the ground was, a villager who was diving offshore when he cramped. He had sunk to the bottom and was then dragged onshore by an 11-year-old boy.

“Following my first aid training, I checked the man’s mouth and found that his tongue had curled into his throat and was blocking his breathing. I cleared his air-passage and immediately began applying cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

With the help of the villagers and prolonged CPR, Ratu Ritova was revived. He still had trouble breathing, so Mr Kapawai rushed him to the nearby Sigatoka Hospital.

Ratu Ritova Baleilevuka and Mr Meli Kapawai look out to sea where the accident took
place. Photo: Fulton Hogan Hiways

At the hospital, Doctor Sapna Singh, who treated Ratu Ritova, commended Fulton Hogan Hiways for providing the first aid training that saved the Malevu’s villager’s life.

Fulton Hogan Hiways Fiji Safety, Quality, Training and Environmental Manager, John Tinsley said, “We are totally committed to a safe environment, whether it is at work, at home or in the community. And having our staff trained in first aid means that wherever we are, there is basic first aid available. Meli proved how important this training is.”