My parents taught me first aid from an early age I have learnt first aid. It started at home initially as both of my parents used to be first aid instructors however when I joined Air Scouts and later RAF Air Cadets I was able to gain a range of qualifications which provided me with the experience to handle a number of serious and potentially death threatening medical emergencies! Without my first aid training my mother for whom I am a young carer may have died in 2021!
These days I assist on first courses and train other cadets in essential first aid skills as they work towards their own qualifications. My goal is to ensure as many young people as possible can obtain the skills and knowledge that could help them to also save a friend or loved ones life.
My First Aid Qualifications & Training
Below is a summary of my current qualifications. I am also however currently working towards my trainer/assessor qualifcations as part of my Gold First Aid with RAFAC and St Johns Ambulance as well which will enable me to lead classes and see me travel around the region with cadets supporting other squadrons. You can see my full CV on the website here to discover my other qualifications, certifications and experience.
- British Heart Foundation Heart Start
- SJA Essential First Aid
- SJA Youth First Aid
- SJA Activity First Aid
My Personal Experiences
Since before even my first formal qualification I have gained experience in not only human first aid but also equine. The skills are very similar apart from trying to calm half to three quarters of horse is considerably harder than many humans. We have always had horses and my mother had equine emergency nursing and artificial insemination training when she was riding professionally before I was born. We have deal with fractures, deep cuts and even assisted in emergency field surgery.
My many first aid experiences with friends and family members and even members of the public are just as varied and in some cases as serious. From calling ambulances for my mother or members of the public to dealing with my father falling down the stairs and receiving serious burns from a drink he was carrying. One of my close friends has epilepsy and I regulary have to monitor her or sit with her during or after an espisode.
My Commendations
As I mentioned above I am a young carer for my mother and on one very scary occasion when she was taken seriously ill I was the only person with her in the house. I was well used to her having asthma and breathing problems however on this occasion she collapsed and need treatment and an ambulance asap. She was feeling poorly and I had gone upstairs briefly however when I came down she was collapsed on our sofa. She was unable to speak and was struggling to breath.
Air Scouts Commissioners Commendation for First Aid in an Emergency Situation
RAF Air Cadet Regional Commandants Certificate of Meritorios Service
