Redkite - Specialist Ambulance and Rescue Consultancy...

When working in Technical Rescue, there is lots of information required, as well as training and knowledge required to perform a perfect rescue. To aid this, similar to those used in medicine and first aid, there are loads of mnemonics used to 'make life easier'.

When HSE’s FAAMS (First Aid Advisory and Monitoring Service) was replaced with the concept of Awarding Organisations (AO’s) in October 2013 and the HSE as a body no longer approved first aid training providers or qualifications a massive increase in training providers hit the market across the United Kingdom.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 give a definition of ‘confined space’.

As a former casualty care medic with a civilian Mountain Rescue Team I am well aware of the additional hazards involved with remote first aid and the prolonged care of a casualty in locations far removed from the roadside where an ambulance can reach you and take over your patient.

As someone who has spent over fifteen years working in event medical cover as the former operations manager and emergency medical technician for an independent ambulance and event medical provider and have provided event emergency planning for some major international events and I am dismayed by the current ‘trend’ from some event organisers when they go for ‘first aid on the cheap’.