Speedway Update

Two casualties offered - both minor cuts to the hand - one was palmed
off to K who being young and keen was up for it. Second was told to go
away or I'd amputate his hand - he is a speedway rider so he should be
able to cope with a small graze.

Speedway Again Tonight

So an update at last.

Speedway again tonight. First duty in a few weeks. Really looking
forward to it. Might get some action for a change. I think this must
be a general EMS thing - we don't actually want people to get hurt but
it would be nice to have something do every once in a while!

Will report back tomorrow....

Medical Gases

Passed my medical gases exam last night. Managed 100% on the theory
paper and got all Competents on the practical. So now I'm legally
allowed to administer oxygen and analgesic gases. All I need now is my
Fundamental Care and Ambulance Aid 1 then I'll be able to do some real
work and crew the ambulances. The only problem is that everything
seems to take so much time!! After May and June where I seemed to be
on a course every week ther is now nothing scheduled until November. I
know St John is a voluntary organisation and we have to rely on
volunteer trainers but the division is crying out for ambulance crew.
There are four of us who are keen and eager ( bet that will change )
but are not allowed to crew till we do the course. At this rate it
seems that none of us will be crewing till early next year whilst the
division has to scratch around for a crew for various events. Dumb or
what?? Haven't volunteered for Speedway tonight as I'm on call for the
day job. According to the Beeb it won't go ahead anyway as we are
expecting 2+ inches of rain sometime this afternoon. Excellent!!

Medical Gases

Part 3 of my Medical Gas course last night. This is all about being
able to administer oxygen and entonox as well as insert airways for
Bag-Valve-Mask resus. It is a very mechanical course with a lot of
"take this apart and put it back together". All very interesting and
is getting to be a bit more serious than the fairly basic first aid
I've done so far. Its like the Fractures course I did a few months
back. This is more about ultimate survival and a good outcome for the
patient rather than just keeping them alive till an ambulance arrives.
I guess this is because I'm now heading towards being the crew of that
ambulance.

Speedway 30/6/04

Busy night at speedway last night - we had our trouble magnet on duty
who managed to attract 5 fallers in the first 4 races. Nothing serious
and I managed to have a good chat with one of our Sgts about changes
that may/may not happen over the next few months. On Tuesday it was
announced that our Anbulance Aid 2 guys can voulnteer to third man
County ambulance, second man the Paramedic response cars. There are
two views on this. Either it is to sharpen the skills for these guys
as there is nowhere else to go after this, or County are struggling to
cover so they are getting us up to speed to have us on frontline
duties. Whichevr it is I'm so jealous. AA2 is at least a year away for
me.....

More Medical Gases training tonight - exam on Tuesday!!