|
Everyone knows they’re supposed to carry a first aid kit with them into the hills, but apart from sticking the odd plaster on a cut how many know what to do with their kit in an emergency? OutdoorMagic members got together for an intensive training weekend hosted by member and 1st Aid trainer Wayne Thackray set in the northern Peak District. Winter Skills The DIY Way Following in the footsteps of a year of successful OM Exclusive courses the first ever members first aid course took place in September.
Organised by professional 1st Aid trainer and Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team member Wayne Thackray it involved 16 hours of intensive practical and theoretical training, followed by assessment and certification at the end of the course. In the process £600 was raised for the Woodhead team, who kindly accommodated members at their HQ as well as cooking members a hearty meal on the Saturday night.
The course itself followed strict guidelines according to according to HSE regulations 1981, 1990 and 1997 for Industry European Resuscitation Council Guidelines so that certificates were valid both in the workplace and more importantly by all the major national governing bodies for the outdoors, like the MLT and BCU. Theory was covered indoors, and was followed for each section by practical, “hands on” sessions held outside in as near real life environments as possible.
The course started on the Friday night with a quick introduction to the legal issues involved in administering first aid, and the traditional OM “icebreaker” session where everyone got to know each other over a beer or two (or more). Saturday morning dawned with the sun rising over a mountain of empty pizza boxes and beer cans – and the Woodhead MRT bar almost emptied, but amazingly with everyone ready to deal with whatever Wayne had in store for them.
Woodhead MRT base
The Saturday session started with Basic Life Support and moved on from there, with each session in the “classroom” followed up with outdoor practise. By mid afternoon they were covering treatment of an assortment of injuries out in the field, with the benefit of Wayne’s “box of tricks” to make things more realistic. This box contained everything needed, from fake blood to latex sleeves simulating serious injuries. The group split into pairs and took it in turn to treat each other for anything from a simple cut to a piece of wood sticking out of the chest, with random unconscious episodes thrown in for good measure.
The Dirty Dozens
Cara treating Jez’s simulated chest wound
Saturday night came, and in traditional style members got down to the serious business of socialising, both amongst themselves and with the members of the Woodhead team who kindly organised a meal for everyone. Just as they thought it was all over Wayne suddenly sprung a surprise on them all, with a simulated multi casualty incident with MR assistance resulting in them assisting in the carry off of a casualty on a Bell Mk 3 stretcher.
Saturday evening saw the introduction of table dancing -which is trying to get all the way round a table with out touching the floor., This was followed up with a new peak district climb when several members tried to climb the North Face of the Woodhead HQ via the toilet block arete, most were held back at the Crux "Cara’s Step".Sunday saw the conclusion of the theory and practical sessions, followed by written exam of multiple choice questions.
The final 3 hours consisted of practical assessment where members had to deal with a series of simulated incidents ranging from a simple cut to an unconscious patient with no breathing or circulation. Each of these assessments had to be passed to qualify for certification – and every OM Member passed successfully.
Wayne showing essential techniques
Throughout the weekend Wayne was generously assisted by members of the Woodhead MRT who not only fulfilled the roles of casualties but made everyone feel extremely welcome – even when they found their well stocked bar was empty!
The course itself was totally professional, as it had t be to result in valid certification, but was done in wonderful spirit of friendship and cooperation. The results were a credit to Wayne and his team, and the bonus was to be able to contribute £600 to the Woodhead Team’s funds at the same time as getting a dozen well qualified OMers.
The more people on the hills who know basic first aid the better, and let’s hope this is the first course of mant hosted by Wayne and the Woodhead team. Wayne himself stated “On a more serious note, as a professional trainer I have never delivered to a more enthusiastic or happy bunch as the 1st OM 1st aid course”, Plans are already underway for a repeat course in January, and most of the members on this first course are returning to Woodhead next month for a refresher weekend.
| 