St John Ambulance Unit Meeting

We have our unit meeting every Wednesday. Tonight was no exception apart from the addition of another local unit joining us.

Tonight was TRAUMA, awesome!
Well actually, not as awesome as expected.

Our trainer, Niel, had more in mind than time allowed, but the time allowed gave me some great tips etc.

Neil did some of the training for my First Aid course. I liked his style then, and I like it now.
It's upbeat and makes you feel welcome. It teaches you stuff withot if feeling like a chore.
I could easily imagine our Assistant Unit Leader and Niel making a great team when it comes to teaching (but they aren't, and probably never will be).

So what did we learn tonight? We learnt how to quickly deal with a bleed.
This probably comes as second nature to anybody who has been in St John Ambulance for a while, and anybody with good First Aid training. To me, somebody new to First Aid, and somebody quite reserved and quiet, this was gonna be a hurdle to overcome. I'm not a great people person, I'm not one for speaking much to be honest. It may be the face to face thing. I can easily talk for England on a keyboard (not that I needed to tell you that)

Anyway, the basics of dealing with a bleeder are as follows:

Assess for Danger
Introduce yourself "Hi. I'm Gaz, a First Aider with St John"
Ask what's wrong (Chief Complaint) "What's wrong?"
"I have a knife wound on my fore-arm" (For instances)
Ok, do you mind if I have a look?
Expose the wound
Examine the wound
At this point, we're just a passer-by, we have no kit etc.
Once you know what the wound is like, and that it has no foreign object in it, as the Patient to apply direct pressure to it, and elevate it.
Once it has been assessed, treat for shock (unless it's minor and only needs a plaster)
Lay or sit them on the floor and keep the wound elevated.
This is where you can seek help. Ask somebody to ring for an Ambulance, and to bring a First Aid Kit back with them if they find one.
If they find a kit, treat and dress the wound.
Now, while you're waiting for an Ambulance, carry out a secondary survey and ask questions.
Signs and symptoms: That'll be the gushing wound.
Allergies: Are they allergic to anything? They may have an allergy to plasters or latex for instance.
Medication: Are they on any medication? What's it for? They may be taking blood thinning tablets!
Past medical history: Not much use on a bleeder, but they may self harm?
Last time they ate: It may seem like nothing, but could be a vital piece on information for further care.
Events leading up to the incident: Did they pass out?

So to simplify it,

Assess for danger
Introduce yourself
Ask what the problem is
Expose the wound
Examine the wound
Apply direct pressure
Elevate
Treat for shock
Seek help
Treat and dress the wound
Carry out a secondary survey
Ask questions (S.A.M.P.L.E.)

It may not seem like much, but it could be invaluable help to a given situation.

Thanks Niel, you make learning enjoyable.

Fresh Air...

...Hell yeah! Well, I eventually got out hiking. We (My Brother Disabled Dave and I) decided to attack 'Simon's Seat' near Bolton Abbey. The day started slow, and got slower. Dave was late, and unprepared, and slightly hungover!!! We got to Bolton Abbey car park, got ready, and then set off walking. We headed over the bridge and along the track, then up the hill, which kept going! We're both unfit, we don't deny that, so it took us an hour and half to get up. I reckon we could do it in the hour if we were fitter. When we got to the top, the views were breath taking!

Now, on the way up, I pointed out that it was lovely and warm. The ever helpful Dave said 'Wait until you stop for a minute. It'll be freezing' I knew this, I wasn't daft. This lead me to putting my fleece on as we sat to eat out butties (mine which I had prepared the night before, Dave' which had been bought from Tesco's on the way there!) At this point, Dave said he was cold... We sat there, he drank my coffee and took the piss out of my first aid kit. We ate, we enjoyed the views, and we enjoyed them some more. Before we headed off, we got a pic at the top together, We packed up and made sure we had left no rubbish behind. If you know Simons Seat, you will know it is a rocky outcrop, so imagine a big Bear Grylls style leap from one to another. Dave said he wasn't so stupid and he didn't want to end up on Helicopter Heros (Pride thing, he's a Fire Fighter) This is where it went downhill (pardon the pun, we were heading for descent, and heading for disaster) Dave walked around the rocks while I hung on for him. As he caught me up I turned and put my best foot forward, then heard rustling and swearing behind me!!! I turn up to see him hopping about in agony, having twisted his ankle on a cotton plant (or something equally poor). Out comes the FAK and my Israeli Field Dressings. We had to bandage his ankle up, and then hobble down the way we had come from for 3 HOURS!!! Poor lad has done his ligaments in :D Now, all this pride thing meant he wasn't going to call out the local MRT (UWFRA) which could have made it worse, but we'll never know. As we headed down however, his pride was shattered. His pride was screwed up, swallowed, and farted out into the atmosphere. Upon gaining a small audience (one poor older lady) he told her to be careful and not hurt herself. This is where she exclaimed that she thought I was a kind person taking his disabled mate out for the day. So I bring you, Disabled Dave

I have told him the piss taking will be relentless. He can only redeem himself by getting up to match fitness soon and getting out there with me again!