The Patrol Method

This is the correct attitude right here. Especially the occasional review part; heck we all forget stuff.

This seems really bad at first. But is it that bad? I was able to see my CST membership April to April for the past 4 years and that 25% drop doesn't show year-over-year April-to-April in my CST. My CST might be an anomaly, but I doubt it.  

The key that is going to mean no is the end of item 10. "Carry everything you will need throughout the trek."

Funny you should mention.... I have been trying to organize/schedule  CPR/AED training for some time and by chance at a recent  IOLS/BALLOO weekend, met a Scouter who does such things.  We got it scheduled, and it will occur tomorrow. There is a fee, which I find reasonable for what is offered. He remits his share BACK to  the org that he works with.  We have publicized it in local Scout Troop, District and Council Campfire sites, and in our local newspaper and in our church. One of the rationales for this is  our House of Worship is FINALLY to  buy/install an AED.   Now to the frustrating parts... 1) we have been greatly underwhelmed by the sign ups.  We shall see how many they have from the internet sign up.... 2) One Scout enquiry was to ask about  "the CPR Merit Badge Class, and what rank requirement it met".  I had to respond that it was NOT a "Merit Badge Class" (they might have thought it was First Aid?), that it  was instruction in the skill, and as to what, if any, rank requirement it fulfilled to ask his Scout Master.  3) Since I work at a Retirement Community, I am required to take just this sort of training.  I can say that since my Paleolistic days as a Scout, up to my present state, I have learned no fewer than five techniques to deal with loss of breathing/heart attacks, each an improvement on the prior.  I can claim only two times when this training has been of value,  one very good, one not so.  I tell people it's like wearing your motorcycle helmet or your auto seat belt.... you may only need this training once, but which once? 

BTW, I have had conversations with Camp Directors on this wrt NCAP.  And wherever the standard is vague or conflicting, they have interpreted it in their favor (training versus certification).  I know a Camp Director who also asked for clarification from National on this issue... and got no response.  So he used "training" versus "certification" to meet NCAP requirements.