Advice to a new Camp Medic

[blueheronEVF]

So this is my first post on this site and I need a little advice. I have accepted a position as a Camp Medic for this coming summer (i.e. 2 weeks from yesterday). I have been looking online for some kind of a guide to being the camp medic. My experience with scouting as a youth is pretty extensive and I have worked on staff in Waterfront (Sailing Instructor), Nature (Director), and Camp Commissioner. I have assisted the medic several times in the past but I have just recently graduated from college and have taken a brief (one year) but complete hiatus from scouting in order to finish my course work. Does anyone out there have any advice in this field or better yet an online guide to the policies and procedures of BSA that affect a camp medic. Other than responding to medical "emergencies" and teaching First Aid and possibly a few other merit badges, I'm only slightly lost on what to do. My only hope at this point is that my Camp Director (whom I have never met) will tell me exactly what he would like and that the Medical Director for the camp will make his expectations clear as well. Also, I am planning on buying a crash bag for my own personal use but I was going to use it for a field emergency if needed at camp. Any suggestions on which companies do the best job (I have heard of Gall's but wanted to know if there are any others). Thank you all for your help and time

[mdutch]

While I have no expirience in the medical field, I recently was made aware of the following power-point avalible from the national website.

www.scouting.org/pubs/19-141.ppt

 

 

[Scoutndad]

Congrats on the position...

Try your local fire dept and ask them what they would recommend in a "crash" bag. First aid kits are great but these guys can tell you what you might want more of and then go purchase separately and more inexpensively at a medical supply store or drugstore.

You can also use your experience for your supplies and stock up on ice paks if you have seen more heat related injuries or bumps and sprains. If you see more open wounds, stock up on gloves, 4x4's, tape and band-aids (flourescent band-aids work great for the boys-almost like a "badge of courage").

Let experience be your guide and it sounds as if you have plenty of it.

By the way, buying some of the little pouches that hold gloves and attach to the outside straps of your crash bags are great..you can run to scene while putting on your gloves without rummaging through your bag and having items fall out.

 

[LPC_Thumper]

Some of the medic folks I've seen have gotten fairly creative with what they did.

 

I know one that gave a weather report after examining the camp weather station (a large bolder near the flag assembly area) "Let's see the rock is hot to the touch, I think it's going to be clear today", "The rock is wet, I think it's rainy", or the ever popular "The rock is dark... it's after sundown!"

 

Once this gets started and you get the campers attention, try these sage bits of wisdom... "Never put your hand down a hole", "If you aren't thinking about the bathroom, you obviously haven't had enough to drink", and "Remember eat all the food at the mess hall, but not all the food at the trading post!"

 

You get campers laughing, and listening, and then you can teach. How far away from civilization is your camp? This may drastically effect what you need in your bags. The idea of talking to local Fire Department is a great one. Your job can be fun, and very rewarding, here's to a GREAT summer!

[dsteele]

Heron:

 

First of all, welcome to the forums!

 

It's been a while since I've worked closely with Boy Scout camp, but I may be able to give you some specific advice you may find helpful.

 

1) Don't think of yourself as a medic. Your official title should be "Health Officer." I don't say this to be petty. I only seek to broaden your definition a little bit. As Health Officer, you have a duty to look at the overall health and well being of the campers, adults, and staff. For example, if there is extreme heat, you should be warning participants and staff to drink plenty of water and keep an eye on the color of their urine. (I didn't say it was a pretty example

 

2) Take a look at the National Standards for Boy Scout Resident camp and make sure you're in compliance. Your Camp Director has a copy. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have been hired if you didn't fit the bill, but it's worth a check. Make sure the camp director has copies of your certifications. On the day of the camp visitations, have the actual copies on your person. You'll probably be asked for them.

 

3) Don't overlook having a copy of your own health form on file. Often a Visitation specialist will ask to see the Health Officer's Health form because that is the one (along with the camp director's) that is most often missing. It's a valid question, though. What if something should happen to YOU during camp?

 

4) Your camp will have a set of standing orders from a physician. Make sure you read them, know them, and follow them. If you have questions, call the physician and ask. Do not hesitate to call that physician during camp if you have issues that arise. His/her name will be listed on the emergency phone numbers near the camp telephone(s.)

 

5) Follow those national standards I mentioned. One of them includes locking up medications. Even the ones in the refridgerator.

 

6) Log every medical incident you take care of. Initial or sign the log book at the end of each day.

 

7) Understand that homesickness in young scouts (and sometimes staff) often manifests itself in phantom stomach aches. My suggested treatment method is to give the young man attention through an older staff member or fellow Scout to take their minds off the trouble.

 

8) If a kid doesn't show up to take his meds at the appointed time, seek him out. You probably knew that one already, but thought I'd throw it in for good measure.

 

9) Even though I'm sure it will be part of your staff week training, take Youth Protection Training on your own. Look for an online link on your council's web site. The YPT for camp staff is different than the YPT for adult leaders. As Health Officer, you have much to protect in camp, including yourself.

 

10) You'll do a basic health check with each camper when they check in. I'd advise you to spend a few moments discussing what to look for with the camp physician. You will be in a position to spot things others may not have noticed such as unusual bruises, cuts, or cigarette burns on a child.

 

Finally (and this is the last bit) although I like for most people to have interesting experiences -- I hope that your tour as Camp Health Officer is uneventful or even boring. A bored health officer is a good health officer. The one who is constantly running from emergency to emergency needs serious evaluation.

 

Have a great summer.

 

No. I was never a health officer, and I never played one on television. But my wife was a health officer. She was bored a lot.

 

Unc.

[blueheronEVF]

Thank you to all who posted. Unlike other jobs in camp, the role of the Health Officer has been very mysterious, at least from my perspective. As a previous Head Commissioner (w/Camp School) I actually have a copy of the 2003 Req's for camp and I had assumed that barring some great catastrophe/revision they had not changed. I'm a little rusty on my EMT stuff, but like all protocols, its riding a bike. A few hours in front of the books and a list of standing orders should be all I need as a refresher. Again, appreciate the advice.

[scoutldr]

Not to throw any stones, but I find a little odd that someone hired as a "Health Officer" of a camp has to ask these questions. blueheronEVF, are you a licensed EMT or do you hold any other credentials that would qualify you for the position? Are you going to be the only medical support for the camp?

[blueheronEVF]

I am in fact an EMT-B. My questions were more directed at gathering information rathering that appearing incompetent. I know how others do things in their camps, at least those that I have been a part of, but I was not sure as to what was the most up to date information and I really did not want to go into camp unprepared as I am currently traveling in Europe and will be driving straight from the airport to the camp. Mainly, I wanted to make sure that my knowledge base was at par with expectation before arrival as there is little support or doctrine available for transition from program staff to business staff. As for medical support, I have been assured that others are staff are qualified to provide medical support and that we have a physician on 24 hour standby (again, par for the course of most quality camps) along with local fire/rescue and a hospital that is aware of our presence. In other words, all of the pieces are in place, I was more concerned with how I would fit in with those and what advice others had coming from similar positions. More than anything, I really wanted to be the best medic that the camp could have and my guess was (and still is) that by asking others I would gain outside insight for the position. Thank you for the criticism...it is by this that we all grow.

[scoutldr]

No criticism was intended, Blueheron...good luck with your new position. As an experienced camp staffer, you already know that most of your time will be devoted to homesickness and ticks. In the part of the country you're in, read up on Lyme disease and deer ticks. Ticks need to be removed as soon as possible to prevent transmission of the Borrelia spirochete.

 

Let us know of your experiences after camp!

[blueheronEVF]

As I am from this area I have had more than my share of ticks and (luckily) have not gotten lime disease/Borrelia burgdorferi (sorry, I graduated in microbiology...not meant to be dorky) but am very well aware of how bad it can be. As a commissioner I found that homesickness is an endemic of scout camp made only worse by the advent of cell phone usage mixed with parents who demand that their child carry, but that is a whole other thread. I have found that the cure for this is to make oneself as available as possible...often times the child just needs a friend or someone who will listen and perhaps share a candy bar or bug juice with them. Again, I thank all who responded and look forward to reading about others experiences in all positions this summer.

[hacimsaalk12]

Welcome to the forums!!! I hope you enjoy your stay

 

 

i dont know much of the medical world. i would, if i were you take into consideration how far you are from the nearest abulance service. if you are way back in the boonies, i would take lots of supplies, to treat everything from a paper cut to someone who is having a asthma attack, to someone who broke a leg. i know down at our summer camp we had a new medic, who didnt know anything, and didnt bring much either. we had the ambulance there 3 times that week, once, because we didnt have the equipment to fo it. just be prepared for anything and you should be all right

[Scoutndad]

if your an EMTB then no use throwing away your money on a Gall's pre-stocked bag...from the sounds of your posting you probably have not...

However I noticed a sports medic on the field the other day and he had a pretty great looking bag that looks like a fanny pack (slightly larger) but it has compartments and firm sides. Thought it was pretty cool and it was the perfect size for most of your "traveling" supplies needs...it would not hold a BVM, o2 or defib but certainly would carry most of the other necessities.

One note up here in Mich (not sure in VA) is the administration of epi pens...as of this Spring, First Responders and EMTB's need approval from MEDCOM (or central medical control) to administer epi pens vs. EMTS and Paramed's can still administer at their discretion. Probably a huge consideration at camp but thought I might throw that out there in case you need to carry a cell phone with MEDCOM on speed dial...

Last tip...make sure you read up on all of the current AMA remedies for the infamous "slushie" headache...I hear it afflicts more campers than any other illness...have a great time!