Outdoor First Aid Course

The DMC’s Outdoor First Aid course was held on Saturday 27th March at the Strutts Community Centre in Belper, a grand Victorian building. We shared the venue - on the day - with a gathering of model railway enthusiasts in the main hall - much to Greg’s delight, and in an adjacent room, a practice session rock for band drummers. The collective noun for drummers is apparently an asylum, a fagot, or a roll of drummers. They were louder outside in the car park than inside the building.

The course was run by qualified Al Cash of Gritstone Adventures and was a single day compaction of the 2 day certificated course aimed at outdoor professionals. Half the time and half the price, but including all the most important bits you might require if called upon to react to an incident in remote areas.

Lots of basic procedures practised on each other or dear old Resusci Annie (actually Andy) and lots of creaking and groaning from some of the more elderly DMC members crawling about on their knees and bending backs while resuscitating Annie.

An excellent and very worthwhile session enjoyed by all 10 DMC attendees, be they First Aid virgins or those more experienced at the game. Al’s presentation was clear, concise and included all the current practices of procedures that are continually changing.

The photo is of Paul Dolan in a moment of inaction on the set of the Return of the Mummy.