Up to a dozen Carnethies, and at least one HBT, attended a full two day course at the weekend organised by Al McGowan, and taught by Sandy McSporran of BASP – associated to Mountain Rescue. For some of us (Gio, Graham, Olly, Steve) it was a rerun that must be done every three years, but for us novices it was an eye-opener.
We were introduced to key response steps in emergency care for both medical and accident victims – but so hard to tell them apart. Essentials of how to keep that airway clear, cardiovascular resuscitation, medications, really helpful and informative. Lots of discussion about emergencies for runners.
Then, the ‘real life’ simulations. Jings. Fatalities including adminstration of insulin to a hypoglycaemic diabetic, anticoagulant aspirin to an aspirin allergy, and one of us (C) died three times because not one team was prepared to investigate a thoracic puncture in a female. A lesson to be learned. (The lesson is – apply something like a plastic bag over the wound, so that air cannot pass through)
Thanks Sandy, and Al, for a fantastic course. And KB Union for hosting. Take home lesson – how is it that we’d never done this training before? If anyone gets a chance to take the course in the future, it’s superb, leap at it.
Richard and Connie