Hi there

Shame to hear it is scrapped.

I am coming to London in October after what will be 9 months on the road. Having been stitched up by someone who gave St John`s courses (lucky me- thankfully nothing critical), I am extremely keen to learn whatever I can as my preparation was not adequate had the situation been reversed.

Around this time if Becky or someone is going to offer something or has any suggestions on alternative courses, could you please email me through the HUBB as I expect I`ll be out of the `biker loop`for a few months getting set up.
thanks in advance if someone has their ear to the ground.

Hey Bec - sounds like a great idea and I'd be more than happy to come along - I qualified as a nurse in the UK quite a while ago now - then left the profession 18 months later - I must admit I don't recall the nursing code of conduct stating that I had to get involved in accidents outside my day job (A&E) and certainly not stating that I could be 'struck off' for not being involved.

If I were to withhold care in a professional environment - sure - my head is for the block - but in the street? I don't think that holds water - and I'm sure the RCN would support that view.

m

PS - I lost count of the ribs I broke when I was working - come to think of it I don't think I've ever seen CPR done without cracking a few - so don't stress it!

"Accident" and "sickness" kits .. well I'd call them "Trama" and Personal"
The Trama kit is to save a life... no bandaids .. some Asprin .. not for the pain relief but because they are blood thinners .. usefull for heart problems.. What is in here is stuff you need quickly ..

The personal kit is for bandaids, panadol, lipbalm etc. The comfort stuff.. long term care type stuff too.

You'd not try to teach a GPS beginer how to do every thing in 30 minutes.. same thing for "First Aid".
Here in Australia the "Remote Area First Aid" course takes 3 days. I think that is too quick. At the end of it you get a book .. well you actually get it at the begining .. some 300 pages from memory.. I bought another 3 books to give you an idea of teh amount of information avalible. The course is valid for 3 years .. at the end of that you are suposed to retake the course... things change .. Likwe anything else - if it is not practiced then you will loose teh skill/knowledge .. so I read the notes every now and then .. and sometimes a book.

In the USA thay have the "woofer" course .. about 9 days from memory ... I may well take that if I ever get to the states... and I'm fit enough to do it.

Yes you get a bit of paper at the end of it .. but in Australia you have to pass a test at the end .. and the pass mark is not 50%... and yes it is not worth anything .. well not unless you use the knowledge gained ..

A 30 minute first aid presentation is simply a sales presentaltion to convince you lot to do a proper course. A one day course will get you the basics for preserving a life for the first 30 minutes before help arives. If you need/want to do more than that then you need more time to get and practice the information ... at least that is my experience..