I passed my first aid course

[mollykins]

All six of us cadets plus the instructor who was renewing his certificate passed our frist aid course.

Something to put on the CV plus it gives me lots of points as it was equivilent to doing 3rd, 2nd and 1st class (3,6,10 points) plus I might get my heartstart certificate seeing as I did CPR. I had just over 30 (took me a year and a half to get), so now I've got about 50!

How many of you are first aiders?

[Buenchico]

I've just realised that I forgot to say WELL DONE MOLLY!!!!!

While I'd also recommend that everyone should learn CPR techniques I also wish that all instructors should be obliged to point out that it's only effective in around 3% of attempts. Increasing the availability of AEDs (automated external defibrillators), and providing the training that goes with them, would also help. (If anyone here ever gets to see the Department of Health's official training video for AEDs watch out for me in it!).

[237SJ]

What`s the point in pointing out the failure rate? Isn`t it better to be positive so that first aiders go into CPR in the hope that it will work rather than thinking there`s a 97% chance it will fail?

[mollykins]

I thought I mentioned choking, which we did do. It's called abdominal thrusts now, but still with the pats on the back.

[mollykins]

Thanks everyone.

Thats another thing chris, we did when and what to give people food/drink, and if they don't need to be in the recovery position, the best position for them.

[sara3]

well done, Molly!

I'm a lapsed first aider, but if they sent back that hunk of an instructor.. I'd volunteer again :o)

[vulcan]

Well done molly, your thread reminds me of a friend who passed a first aid course and told me about the time he came across a road accident.In his words," the driver had blood pouring from cut arm and the passenger was moaning but thanks to my first aid training I knew exactly what to do. I sat down on the curb and put my head between my knees to stop myself from fainting".

[Sqad]

vulcan...LOL

[ummmm]

Lol...that made me laugh.

[Sqad]

vulcan something similar happened to me many years ago........3 of us had just received our final exam results and were walking down the Whitechapel Road and there was a woman having an epileptic fit. As we approached, we slowed down and then increased our pace and hurried past, as neither of us could remember what to do.

We needed Mollykins !

[bobjugs12]

My first ever shout was an unmitigated disaster. We were called an RTC with a car on fire and we were the first emergency unit on scene.
Unfortunately, the casualty was on the far side of the burning car, and we were unable to get the truck past it. I grabbed my bag, whilst my crewmate told me he would follow shortly with the rest of our gear. I sprinted past the burning car to get to our patient, and started treating him straight away. I then had the fright of my life as the car went BOOM and I was cut off from my oppo, the wagon, and any fom of advice or assistance. It took another 10-15 minutes until further help arrived in which time I wanted to cry (lol).

Anyhoo, the outcome was that the patient was fine, I hadn't done anything wrong or adverse, and the Paramedic and BASICS Dr who arrived were very understanding about the cock-up. I took away a lot of experience from that job, mainly that I should never give up my waterproof jacket in the middle of a torrential rainstorm, as I then had to spend the next 8hours in wet uniform and and wet pants!

Molly, where were you when I needed you lol :D

[vulcan]

LOL Sqad, I bet the euphoria of passing the exams quickly vanished that day.

[mollykins]

lol vulcan.

oh dear squad.

bob, it depends how long ago that was.

[Jemisa]

We're proud of you Moll's Congrats.

Q. The shed door was blown shut this morning unfortunately my H had his hand there, it caught his thumb, its now a pretty purple/pink and throbbing like mad. What should he do? He's taken a couple of paracetamol,skin isn't broken. He can move it Whats your advice?

jem

[Eve]

I used to be one of the people friends would come and get whenever something happened, have spent many an hour looking after people and up at a number of hospitals with an assortment of illnesses and injuries in the past.

A worrying incident came up on a night out some my friends went on recently but I missed due to another friend in need. Someone at the venue had an epilpetic fit. Two of my friends are trained first aiders and went to help and one of them was very concerned about helping due to possible ramifications for them if something went wrong as they work for the NHS. A very sad state of affairs.

[mollykins]

Put something cold on it like ice. But if you're using something frozen, wrap it in something, direct contact with skin can cause a feeze burn.

Jenna, according to the instructor and assessor, we're covered by st johns ambulance, if anything happens to anyone we treat.

[alexanderd]

wWell done Molly I did it years ago and one day found my elderly naighbour on the floor as she had suffered a heart attack, managed to keep her alive till ambulance arrived and she made a full recovery

[boxtops]

well done molly, it's a really good life skill. Keep it up to date as the years progress, lots of employers appreciate having a qualified first aider on the staff.

I am - mine is due for renewal next year. Thankfully I've never been asked to put CPR into practice.