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First Aid

First Aid Training is an important part of our syllabus and is available for all our staff and cadets. Our squadron aim to equip our personnel with vital skills and knowledge to be good citizens, but equally the need to equip people with skills that can be used when things go wrong.

All cadets and staff are required to undertake First Aid Training as part of their ongoing development. All cadets can undertake the British Heart Foundations Essential First Aid award, a 2 hour introduction into Emergency Life Support. All cadets have the opportunity to undertake the St John Ambulance Youth First Aid course, similar to those undertaken by adult staff.

First Aid Training is an essential skill and works towards the aim of providing skills of good citizenship and given the nature of the activities we undertake, it is essential that all our staff and cadets have the vital skills to deal with an emergency.

The Essential First Aid syllabus concentrates on providing each new cadet with the essential emergency life-saving skills. As part of the cadet training syllabus every cadet will be taught the Essential First Aid syllabus. This short course is normally split over a couple of parade nights or a weekend and you will be working with a group of cadets to complete the training so there is no pressure.

The aim of the Essential First Aid course is to provide an understanding of:
- Assessing an unconscious patient
- Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- Dealing with choking
- Managing serious bleeding
- Helping someone that may be having a heart attack
- Placing someone in the recovery position.

When cadets have completed the Essential First Aid syllabus they will have the skills to assist in a First Aid situation, either on Squadron or out and about in the public. You will also receive the Essential First Aid certificate on completion of your training.

If you want to take your first aid training further the Air Cadet Organisation offers the St John Youth First Aider qualification. Designed to be more in-depth than the Essential First Aid programme, the St John Youth First Aid qualification covers the below:
- Asthma
- Choking
- Communication & Casualty Care
- Primary Survey
- Recovery Position
- Bites and stings
- Bleeding (minor)
- Bleeding and shock
- Burns and scalds
- Foreign objects
- Poisons
- Bone, muscle and joint injuries
- Chest pains
- Electric shock
- Fainting
- Resuscitation

To pass the Youth First Aid Award you will need to be tested on what you have learned. This usually takes the form of a number of scenarios where you will need to put your first aid skills to the test. Once you have finished these practical sessions there is usually a quick question and answer session with your assessor.

If you are successful you will be awarded the St John Ambulance Young First Aider badge for your uniform and be presented a certificate for your records. The Essential First Aid and Young First Aider Awards are also a great way to prepare for first aid competitions such as those held at the Wing Activities Day.