Scott's Spiel

Welcome to Edinburgh...

It’s been a while now since my last post. I’d love to say that things have been hectically busy but this is not really the case. I’m now into my 4th week of 4th year with only 2 left to go before I’ve finished 1/10th of my final years.

So why has it not been too hectic? Unfortunately my “cohort” timetable is a bit medically challenged (at least before Christmas). I’m current on an SSM/SSC looking at Major Incidents, soon to be followed by one on neonates (which, I guess, will have some medicine in it). After that will be my first “proper” block – psychiatry.

So what have I been up to? Well in truth I’ve been holding out for some pictures to show. They should be worth it, but they’re not forthcoming. Instead, I’ve managed to find some video from Edinburgh Evening News here (hit play). The article basically explains what is going on. I can’t find myself in the video (I’d be on a stretcher) but will hopefully be able to get some sort of pictures in the future.

As my SSM is loosely based around this sort of stuff I also went to the site the week previously. This was a much smaller group, giving the ambulance staff a chance to familiarise themselves with the equipment. Unlike the actual scenario though, that day was raining considerably. I was pretty glad to see the sun on the 16th, since we were lying around for ages. The ins and outs of the day are a bit much to go into but I would recommend the casualty bit for the future – just make sure it’s summer (money is also a plus).

Other things I’ve been doing in the last few weeks include confined space rescuing with the fire service here (in the tunnel in the last photo. I managed to cannulate…ok so the model had no blood but still….). Also with the police in their vehicle (or similar!). The camera is fantastic, beware!

Finally getting started with the Red Cross. Should hopefully be doing a couple of events in the next month, including the fireworks in November. It was that night, 4 years ago, where I first considered becoming a first aid volunteer. Somehow it’s taken the 4 years for me to actually go there are a first aider. As per last year I’ll (timetable permitting) be teaching the 1st years some sort of first aid. Being me I’ve went and decided to redo some of last years slides to try and keep it interesting. I can hope…

Also managed to go to what may have been my last appearance an Open Day. I was giving 2 talks to prospective applicants (both went ok…I think).

Now I’ll try and keep this updated a bit more!