Fell Running First Aid

[Alan]

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).

[IanDarkpeak]

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).

I would imagine the demand for this would be quite high. I know there are quite a few providers out there that run 'Outdoor specific' first aid courses so there should be no problem getting on one but obviously you would have to pay the going rate.

I do think however that everyone should have some knowledge of basic first aid.

If any one lives in the Peak/Yorkshire area and would like to get on a course (once the FRA one is full of course) then WMRT runs regular weekend courses through the year from our base culminating in attending a mock incident on the hills to try out your new skills.

If any one is interested PM me and I'll pass on your details.

[wheezing donkey]

The last thing that I want to do is wear the 'Mr Negative Hat'; but in todays litigious climate, I think that it is a relevant question:- If as a reasonably well trained but nonetheless 'amateur' first aider I come upon an accident and voluntarily put my 'skills' into practice, but despite my best endeavours the victim suffers some form of negative outcome. Am I open to legal action from a maimed victim or bereaved relative?

[AllanT]

The last thing that I want to do is wear the 'Mr Negative Hat'; but in todays litigious climate, I think that it is a relevant question:- If as a reasonably well trained but nonetheless 'amateur' first aider I come upon an accident and voluntarily put my 'skills' into practice, but despite my best endeavours the victim suffers some form of negative outcome. Am I open to legal action from a maimed victim or bereaved relative?

Well if you are trained in a skill and use those skills correctly as you have been trained to use them in any situation you have the advantage of the insurance of your trainer behind you.

If however you go outside your remit and use other skills which you have not been trained or certified as competent in, then basically you're on your own mate.

That said there is a very low proportion of cases of this type which actually suceed. Most of them get throw out of court relatively early as long as the individual in question has attested that they have used the skills which they have been trained in and despite this (and not as a result of their actions) their casualty has died or their condition have deteriorated.

Do not quote me (perhaps there are some lawyers on here who can give us chapter and verse) I think even in relatively unusual cases (ie where the normally correct course of action was shown to be the wrong one in this particular case only but would normally result in a positive outcome for most cases of that type (that you would still be covered by the insurance of your trainer).

Things are actually going more the other way - ie that if you have specialist skills and choose not to use them that you are accountable for this.

[IanDarkpeak]

The last thing that I want to do is wear the 'Mr Negative Hat'; but in todays litigious climate, I think that it is a relevant question:- If as a reasonably well trained but nonetheless 'amateur' first aider I come upon an accident and voluntarily put my 'skills' into practice, but despite my best endeavours the victim suffers some form of negative outcome. Am I open to legal action from a maimed victim or bereaved relative?

Well if you are trained in a skill and use those skills correctly as you have been trained to use them in any situation you have the advantage of the insurance of your trainer behind you.

If however you go outside your remit and use other skills which you have not been trained or certified as competent in, then basically you're on your own mate.

That said there is a very low proportion of cases of this type which actually suceed. Most of them get throw out of court relatively early as long as the individual in question has attested that they have used the skills which they have been trained in and despite this (and not as a result of their actions) their casualty has died or their condition have deteriorated.

Do not quote me (perhaps there are some lawyers on here who can give us chapter and verse) I think even in relatively unusual cases (ie where the normally correct course of action was shown to be the wrong one in this particular case only but would normally result in a positive outcome for most cases of that type (that you would still be covered by the insurance of your trainer).

Things are actually going more the other way - ie that if you have specialist skills and choose not to use them that you are accountable for this.

I agree pretty much with what Al has said. This question does come up at courses that I have attended fairly frequently.

All the trainers I know have said as has Al as long as you go with in your remit and have acted with good intentions then you are ok. Non of the trainers I know have heard of a single case being prosecuted.

One note however is if you offer help and they decline don't touch them.

[Stolly]

What's with all this expert training - just look it up on the internet. Assuming you happen to be running with a bic biro case to hand here's how to perform an emergency tracheostamy