This year’s Casualty Care course kicked off last night with our sister team Tavistock, at the Post Graduate Centre in Derriford Hospital. It is an intensive six-week course held each week on alternate Tuesdays and Wednesdays, followed by a written and practical exam at the end. Successful completion of the exam authorises non-healthcare professionals to administer essential medication out in the field. It is a national qualification allowing Mountain Rescue team members to practice first aid to the highest recognised standard in the UK.
Last night’s session covered what you would initially do when you locate the casualty. The first part was lecture-based, covering the primary survey and the acronym DR ABCDE which essentially consists of checking vital signs and symptoms of the patient.
After a coffee break, the remainder of the session was scenario-based. This gave everyone a chance to practice what had been covered earlier, and those that volunteered to be casualties were able to utilise their amateur dramatics skills to their best degree.
It was a thoroughly interesting and informative evening and a huge thank you to Tavistock’s medical faculty for chairing last night’s session.
