Re: First Aid Kits (AED's, EMS availability)
Ray Callaway (ric@beau.atlanta.dg.com)
Wed, 22 Jan 1997 14:39:29 GMT
At 04:58 PM 1/21/97 -0600, Bob Amick wrote:
>
> The new Red Cross Emergency Response/First Responder training course
>has included information on AED's (automatic electronic defibrillators)
>in its training materials, as has the revised Emergency Medical
>Technician Training guidelines. Each State Emergency Medical Services
>Division will have protocols and regulations for training and
>certification in the use of the devices. Folks with current certifications
>are taking transition courses to include the new materials.
>
I would like to reiterate Bob's statements and add this note. I was
trained by the Red Cross last year for the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
The First Responder Training did _not_ cover AED use. The Emergency Response
Course had that information in an appendix. However, the Red Cross did
not instruct the ER class in AED use. The Red Cross told us that as we would
be operating under Red Cross protocols, we would not use (or be expected to
use) AED's.
Naturally, the question came up, "Why is this information in the book?"
The instructor stated that this same course is also used to train police
officers, fire fighters, etc. Indvidual organizations, acting under
authorization from the State Emergency Medical Services Division, will
decide if particular equipment and procedures will be authorized for use.
I encourage everyone to get advanced First Aid training whenever possible.
Be sure that you understand your limitations and responsibilities. You
never know when you will possibly use the training. I never thought that
working inside the Olympic Village would call upon much in the way of skills.
But, as I was performing inline stabilization on a security guard that took
a header off of a tram, I remember thinking how grateful I was to know what
had to be done in that case. Luckily, the person got off with just a few
lacerations.
YIS
Ray Callaway | I do not speak for Data General
ASM, Troop 534, Atlanta Area Council | Corporation
"I used to be an Antelope ..." | ric@atlanta.dg.com
| 
