Scott's Spiel

We had our inspection this week as planned and, thankfully, a new inspecting officer had to be drafted in at the last minute. She hadn’t, so I guessed, severed any length of time in the forces and as such wasn’t quite checking whether both boots had enough polish on them or not. Once she checked the line of members we got taken in to another room 3 at a time and asked just 3 questions, mine where:

• What is angina? (Would’ve been killed if I hadn’t got that right)
• How do you treat a nosebleed?
• How do you treat food poisoning?

In all, pretty painless and a lot less stressful than I was expecting. It was followed by a rather small buffet and then that was that. Done for another year.

Personally, I’d make it much more practical. Get people to attend in uniform and ask them to demonstrate a number of tasks as a company on each other. Then walk through them and ask questions. Would’ve been done so much quicker and probably highlighted anyone struggling (which there would be, under pressure).

In the morning I had a duty in the Kelvin Hall with my other medical student colleague. As we (and 900 primary kids) arrived we realised that we didn’t have access to our trolley beds and carry chair which are in the Kelvin Hall. If any relative serious happened (fracture or dislocation is what we were thinking of) we would have no real option but to keep them on the floor until an ambulance arrived. Since we were rather new we felt it would be the exact time that something serious would happen, but thankfully it didn’t.

Ice, plasters and TLC got us through the event.

We did manage to entertain a local newspaper photographer/journalist. He decided to take a picture of us with the possibility of it being included. Unfortunately I have no idea where I can get it so I can only hope it’ll catch my eye.

After that we both went to HQ (my first visit!) to get some uniform sorted. The fact it’s taken 5 and a bit months for me to get this bit of uniform (it’s technically what we wear outdoors) speaks volumes. The money (£60!) also comes out my expenses so for 15 duties I will receive no contribution towards travel. This really annoys me, since the event organisers are paying what I don’t imagine will be a small amount to get cover. I have no real problem with being a volunteer I just feel that out-of-pocket expenses should be covered, especially by an association which is in the position to do so.

In the evening I was attending the Scotland vs. Croatia friendly at Hampden. Unlike my last big match at Hampden, I was much more confident for some reason and we had a greater number of first aiders available. The event went without any significant injuries. We had a young (perhaps a bit younger than me) French-turn-Scottish fan start chatting to us before the match and he dutifully returned at half-time. I wasn’t too sure if he was drunk – I couldn’t smell anything – or just very excited to be there but he was an interesting character and I hope he enjoyed it.

As far as casualties went we had a middle aged chap looking for some paracetamol for a migraine. He got sent to the docs and got some co-codamol instead. We were expecting him to be back later in the game but that must’ve helped as we heard no word from him again.

Radio problems were all the rage on the night. We had a visit from two other first aiders to tell us our radio wasn’t working. By the end of the match we had to go back and tell them the same thing. Thankfully my colleague was dealing with the radio and was happy to do so because I could hear a lot of interference.

I was almost not going to be allowed to go to the game as our company were at odds with the exec over nothing other than money. I don’t even pretend to be interested in these debates – we’re volunteers and we’re not concerned about money. When we’re not allowed to go to an event we want to (and they’re struggling to get first aiders to cover it) then I don’t see why I shouldn’t move. In the end we were allowed and we made up about a 1/5th of the first aiders.

The form for covering T in the Park has been made available on the website. I really do want to do it (it may be my only year!) but I just don’t know what days I can do due to my (*shudder*) job. I’m thinking of just putting down the Friday/Saturday and sort work out when I’m actually employed. Will wait and see if I can gather up any support.