how many of us are first aid trained?

[magicaldr]

X medic volunteer, good few years covering rugby, or the far more dangerous netball (I kid not, running like nutters on concrete they broke more bones than a season of rugby in 1 day). Followed up by a few years of 4x4 rescue work at motorcross events.

All civi, non professional trained, mostly working with the army medics who were just the best guys to be with. What they couldn't do with our old landy, side ways in the rain, lights n sirens blaring on a steep hill and hate to think what speed. These guys really put the kit through its paces, them were the days.

All expired now, but I still always stop to lend a hand. You can spot the first aider, they step forward when the stuff hits the fan while everyone else steps back.

Considering a wilderness first aid course now to get my skills back up to scratch as the FAW (hate FAW courses, but work we paying so was last cert I still held after the interesting ones expired) expired around a year ago.

 

[FreddyFish]

I've done a few first aid at work courses and have just done a first responder course with the scouts (as a scout leader) basic but interesting.
It is surprising how much simpler CPR is these days.
30-2, optional rescue breaths, all unconscious casualty's go into the recovery position. It seems the current training is more simple to encourage people to have a go..

 

[lannyman8]

i just did my team medic course ready for Afghanistan its more about bleeding and chest stumoch and lung wounds though.

but im now up to date whhhhhhho!!!!!!!!

 

[Miyagi]

i just did my team medic course ready for Afghanistan its more about bleeding and chest stumoch and lung wounds though.

but im now up to date whhhhhhho!!!!!!!!

Well done fella.

Fingers crossed for you.

 

[Poco]

i'm a medstudent if that counts.

 

[John Fenna]

Just re-did my rEC level 2 last weekend, ready to patch up the next wounded Bushcrafter....

 

[cu14]

i get two days training a year in emergency first aid, just re qualled

 

[tim_n]

Until recently I had both Ambulance and First Aid qualifications. Ambulance qual has now lapsed and the 'first aid' side of things is much simplier.

Most the stuff you can't slap a plaster on you'd be in difficulties with in the wilderness even with a proper first aid kit. I should think I'd cope treating someone as best I could because no qualification is an excuse for common sense.

 

[gregs656]

I'm working as a lifeguard on my gap year so I'm a qualified first aider. As part of my job we do training of some sort for one hour a week, quite often it's first aid based.

I would say that whilst not everything would be generally useful, a whole lot of it is, and it's all the little things you learn through doing it often and talking about the best way of dealing with various injuries in a fairly large group.

 

[taws6]

Never had any training, but just got booked on a St John's course. A good start for £30 IMO

Alot of you are saying about different qualification etc, I'm sure if you've undertaken any training you're much better prepared than the majority of untrained 1st aiders.

 

[PRKL]

last option.

i have Finnish red crosses first aid 1 and first aid 2,and im looking for a chance to go thru grade 3.

 

[Locky]

First aid trained 2009, and basic safety at sea trained but no certificate for this.
always had first aid training, its surprising how much it changes over the years thanks to science.

 

[Rob]

Hoping to complete some further training this year which will mean that I can use some of the more invasive techniques in the UK - without then having to justify my actions afterwards.

Also means I can, officially, get the needles out for teaching purposes

 

[Front Room Woodlander]

Finnished Immediate Life Support training today. Was a one day course and I hope I never have to use it.

 

[georann]

I have basic first aid training (with certificate) and I am a fully qualified Royal Life Saving Society lifesaver (water)

 

[jonajuna]

well, im a nurse albeit specialised in mental health and subsequently addictions, but have done many of the nursey things, have been first aid qualified, basic life support, advanced life support and AED. including making use of such skills in "anger" a few times

all these things although done/updated/refreshed several times over through the years, have lapsed now, last formal was probably 3 years ago, other than basic first aid which is a yearly half day thing in my job

hoping to do the 4 day adventure first aid course in a couple of months, trying to secure the funding as we speak!

 

[kaosblacksmiths]

Ex paramedic here.........

 

[MrEd]

yep, im a critical care nurse but also have worked had trauma training with the ambulance service and can cannulate, and i have done my share of 999 calls. was in st john as a kid/teenager to. However out of hospital i just stick to the first aid principles as the stuff i do in the hospital is in a controlled supported environment and not for a muddy field etc when im on my own. in the field i would stabilise and get help on the way sharpish. i.e. broken leg - would immobilise, keep caualty warm and treat for shock whilst waiting for help to come get us. i certainly wouldnt try set it or anything like that - thats for the hospital and surgeons etc

 

[Biker]

I used to be a retained Fire-Fighter in the Kent Fire Brigade, or as it's called now the Fire and Rescue Service. (apparently the nanny state leadership thought Brigade sounded too martial.)

I went for a weeks intensive training in first aid and dealing with roadside trauma etc. Loved the training but sadly that was over 6 years ago.

Classic case of: "Ya don't use it, ya lose it."

One thing we were told by the paramedic teaching us, was that chances are what we'd learnt we'd probably never have to use "in anger". But it was more than likely we'd use what we learnt on our immediate family. Scary thought that!

MrEd said it clearly, leave it to the professionals, make the casualty safe, ensure they're not going to get any worse and wait for the paramedics and the cavalry to gallop over the hill.

Even reading a first aid book now and then is better than total ignorance.

 

[Mr Cake]

Ex combat med tech, former diagnostic radiographer, now a first aid instructor. Definitely agree with there being major differences between battlefield/military first aid and the civvy world. Even as radiographer there were major differences between what I was allowed or even expected to do in the military especially in the more remote parts of the world (radiation protection screens are so very useful for hiding the fact you've got the manual open to check as you go along what you're supposed to be doing) and what I was allowed to do on civilian hospital attachments.