First Aid Training

[hops_scout]

I was wondering what kind of training would be suggested for a 15 year old Star Scout. I feel that the First Aid merit badge is not sufficient for what I would like to do.

I've thought about getting the Wilderness First Aid course by the Red Cross, but it has not been available in my area while I've been elgible to take it.

Let me know what you think:)

[wagionvigil]

RED Cross Basic First aid and the When Help is delayed module. This is what is required for Ventures to take any outdoor elective. When you take CPR make sure you have AED training with it.

[syck03]

I try to get all my scout CPR/First-Aid Certified. It is easy for my troop. I am a American Red Cross Instructor and I hold special classes just for scouts.

[optimist]

If folks aren't aware of last year's agreement between the Red Cross and the BSA, you may wish to check out these links:

http://www.redcross.org/news/hs/firstai ... couts.html

http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/re ... IFv1i4.pdf

http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/re ... scouts.doc

https://www.redcross.org/services/hss/r ... 01-018.pdf

[scoutmasterbob]

If you are willing to put out some money, the fire dept in my area, utah, offer an EMT, emergency medical technician, course, the class prepares you to take the State EMT test.

I think there is a age requirement, and a cost of course, but if you are interested in more detailed medical training this is a good way to go.

Check with you local fire Dept.

Another good course is called the CERT training, that is short for Community Emergency Response Team. This training teaches what to do in the event of a community wide emergency. Earthquake etc. The training teaches about triage, search and rescue, first aid, fire suppression, and organizing a command post amoung others.
These are usually put on by the emergency services in your city.

I have done both of these classes, liked them both and learned alot. Also passed my state EMT test too.

[riverwalk]

For a Scout interested in skills beyond those required, there are several options. Some of these have already been suggested. Red Cross courses, and a State's EMS (Emergency Medical Services) program courses are great examples. Even some local community colleges may offer these. They may be Credit courses, or just community education. But these formal classes (all the above) do have requirements. And the State courses do have age requirements to "sit" for their final Exam.

Youth with an interest in these will find a way to attend. But, consider just having a trained person teach some of the desired skills to the Scout/Scouts. Some local First Responders are in the Scouting movement (me), others get approached for their special skills. When asking them to actually present something to satisfy Scout requirements, always provide them with the desired objectives. They know what they know...but need to know what you need to receive. A final thought on formal courses. Some require an annual accumulation of "ce" (continuing education), skills tests, and perhaps even a refresher course and State exam. This carries some repeated fees. So be sure what your needs are, and ask someone to teach just what is needed.

[Rick Tyler]

I know this is an old thread, but I did think of another solution that would be particularly applicable to a Scout. Check with the wilderness experts in your area to see if any of them offer a wilderness first aid course. You might start with mountaineering shops, or the more backpacking-oriented stores like EMS or REI and see if they can help you.

Here in Washington state, the Mountaineers offer MOFA (Mountaineering Oriented First Aid) in conjunction with the Red Cross. It is a 21-hour(!) course which combines 6 hours of standard Red Cross first aid with 15 hours of wildnerness-specific training. You can read more about it at
http://www.mountaineers.org/cna/mofa.html.

I have no idea if similar courses are offered elsewhere, but I would think so.

[wagionvigil]

The problem with these courses is in MOST Cases they charge an arm and a leg for them. BSA is supposed to have a working relation with the Red Cross but I have not seen this in practice yet.

[riverwalk]

We have an effort locally, where the Red Cross is involved in annual trainings for Scouters. I imagine that is what is planned elsewhere, but perhaps it's s l o w l y being implemented?

[hops_scout]

I've contacted MESAR, the SAR unit in our area. They have said they cant certify us, but can teach it to us if we'd like. I'm going to look into it more.

[riverwalk]

Sounds like a willing group can consider helping out. Yeah, in most cases people that seek some kinda Certification don't need that. It's important if one hopes to use the Cert for some other requirement. But a trained person is a trained person, and may not hold a "card" for something.

We see it often in my Industry. Citizens want to be certified in CPR or something, to help their loved ones at home. They don't have to certified, just trained. Businesses however, like Day Care centers etc., have to satisfy the Law in their area. They will require Certification, to prove their readiness.

[wagionvigil]

remember in Venturing they Must take certification Courses. Basic First Aid and When Help is delayed.

[riverwalk]

....having said that, yes that's a good point. They do need that.

One issue in years past, for CPR training, was the depth of compressions required. Unless one had a certain amount of body weight they had a difficult time to do this.

Let's hope that we can prepare as many of our Youth as possible. We may all know some youth member that faces an opportunity to save someone, or help in an emergency.

[t305spl]

Sorry all for posting this here but I can post a new topic so this is as close to the topic as I could get it!


I want to speak with National about adding a
leadership position in the Troop for Troop Medic.
This person could be either an adult or a scout but
only one per troop. They would be incharge of keeping
the first aid kit, and keeping it up to date and in
stock. This person would have to have exceptional
First Aid skills someone who is certified as an OEC
Tech. or EMT. They would also keep medical forms, and
lists of meds. on trips and the instructions for the
meds. If a scout were holding this position he would
not be able to hold the meds. but he keeps track of
them. They are also on call at every troop
function. They teach and demonstrate and coordinate
the first aid portion of ranks. They plan to have
people come down to meetings for certification and
recertification of CPR/First Aid. You would have to
apply to your local council to be awarded this
position to make sure you are qualified for the
position before awarded it. This position you hold as
long as you are certified or you cant coninue with the
troop. This would help many troops on campouts and
any other function even training with safety being an
extremely important factor. This is someone you can
rely on to know what to do when you dont. I am in
training as of Sept. to be an OEC Tech. so this would
be a position I would want to hold to use my skills
and help the troop by using my skills.

Let me know what you think.

[riverwalk]

Since I'm in that Field (Emergency Services), I always like to see people interested in such efforts. This would be a proactive approach, in a Society that's usually reactive, haha. I don't think the Organization will consider such a Position as one of the minimal Required ones. It is apparent however, that the growing body of Safety requirements warrants someone being in charge of it. Having said that, a number of Units have someone dedicated to ensuring the Health and Safety concerns for the Unit. This is different from but in companion really to the District H&S Position.

Perhaps in the meantime, you could get your Members to earn the new Award, and kinda sorta get everyone to focus on these things?

[Lynda J]

Recently Kevin's campus Police officer died of a heart attack at school. He wasn't around but was upset when he heard tha no one knew CPR. Said "If I had been there maybe I could have helped". Kevin is 11 and weighs 85 lbs. I mentioned this to the EMT friend and said that Kevin probably wouldn't have had enough body weight to do compressions. He said he went on a call once where a 10 year old girl had done compressions on her grandfather until help got there. She weighed about 90 lbs. So yes is would be a lot of work but it can be done. But if you can get just enough pressure to keep things moving it can help.

Kevin wants to see if the school will offer a CPR course. Wish he was where he could be working on his Eagle project.