First Aid: From Practice to Action
Essex Army Cadet Force Adult Instructors and Cadets over the age of 16 had the opportunity to complete the First Aid at Work course over the weekend. The nationally recognised course equips individuals with lifesaving skills and knowledge, enabling them to respond to emergencies. Participants spend eighteen hours gaining a wide range of knowledge from CPR, treating wounds, managing burns and other medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes. All learners are assessed in their understanding and ability with these topics and many more.
The course took place 24第-26第 January at Leigh-on-Sea Detachment and was open to participants from across the county. The highly qualified First Aid Instructors came from different frontline backgrounds enabling them to draw from real world experiences. Leading the course was Captain Myles Ward, an Ambulance Service professional who also trains Firefighters and GPs. He commented that it is “good to see some tangible results and sense of achievement from the cadets”. Myles particularly values hearing reports of cadets applying their newly acquired skills in real-life situations.
Senior citizen aided by cadets
Whilst at the shops getting lunch, cadets witnessed an elderly lady being assisted into a car. Cadet Sergeant Will Frostick and Cadet Lance Corporal Michael Rummelhart were on scene to help and found out she tripped over on the kerb. Some cadets went to get Sergeant Major Instructor Lee Evans who was nearby on his own quest for food. Will stayed with the casualty who was experiencing pain in her left hip and told a pedestrian to call for an ambulance. A First Aid assessment was conducted by Lee whilst Will supported her back in the car as she was struggling to move. The County Medical Support Officer, Myles, also arrived at the scene for additional support. Cadets and Instructors stayed with the casualty until the ambulance arrived and handed over.
Upon reflection after managing to eat his lunch, Will commented it made him “feel useful and strangely sentimental” as he has a Nan of similar age, and he was thinking it could have been somebody else’s Grandparent that he helped.
Qualification not just used in the Cadet Forces
It is mandatory for all Adult Instructors in the Army Cadet Force to hold First Aid at Work and it is helpful in all aspects of their lives from a personal level to workplace and job seeking. The 3-year qualification is also a big advantage for Cadets and will still be in date for at least 1 year after leaving the Army Cadet Forces.
Success
The First Aid at Work course was a tremendous success, with all 7 Cadets and 8 Adult Instructors passing. Another course is set for next month, and with any luck, everyone will enjoy a more restful lunch break.