As I indicated in my report in the last issue of The Fellrunner, Chris Knox suggested some time ago that the FRA should look into setting up a first aid course suitable for those people who volunteer to help at fell races and also for those who assist with our teams at international events.
This is not meant to be a prelude to some kind of compulsory certification, but simply a facility which the FRA could provide for those who want to make use of it. We fully appreciate that not everybody wants to get involved in first aid, and, because of other existing services, first aid requirements will vary from event to event.
As a result of discussions, the FRA has decided to put on a two day pilot course at High Peak First Aid's training centre at Pindale near Hope in the Peak District on the weekend of 22-23 November.
High Peak First Aid -
www.hpfa.org.uk - is a company which provides training specifically for those who work in outdoor situations, outside the scope of normal NHS facilities. I have discussed the requirements which Chris and I agreed were key to a fell running specific course, and HPFA have agreed that it would be possible to cater for these within one of their current courses, such that successful delegates would end up with a nationally recognised qualification. I would also like to add that I have attended courses run by HPFA (as a Peak District Cave Leader) and have been very satisfied by their standards.
If this pilot is successful, and this will be determined by the number of attendees, and their comments upon completing the course, then the FRA may continue to run courses like this.
The cost of the course, which is not residential, is normally £100 but will be fully subsidised for any FRA member who can demonstrate that their attendance will benefit fell running or FRA events. For this pilot course the FRA is also willing to subsidise any other FRA member who wishes to attend in which case the course fee will be only £20.
There are twelve places available on this pilot - if you would like to be considered for the course, please send your details to the FRA Secretary (address details can be obtained from the FRA Handbook or the current issue of The Fellrunner).