The annual Realistic First Aid Campout was a very fun and instructive campout, despite totally unforeseen and unpredictable weather patterns. The troop left for Yards Creek in Blairstown, NJ early Saturday morning. Upon arrival we brought all of our gear up a large and somewhat steep hill to our campsite. While down by the lodge the first aid stations were being organized, the scouts prepared camp, collected firewood, began to teach Totin Chip, and cooked lunch. The Totin Chip classes were taught be Mike B., Steve D., Billy C., and Mike V. This is when the crazy weather began. It went from being sunny and fairly mild to blustery and rainy. For a short while the rain turned into a brisk snow.
At this time the stations were ready and we were lead down to the lodge where we were told to rotate through the five stations. The stations, as always, were very realistic due to the hard work and dedication of Mr. M. The stations required first aid knowledge of treating for snakebites, internal poisoning, compound fracture, burns, glass wounds, and shock. Panther achieved first place overall, followed closely by Hawk, but all of the patrols did extremely well and proved that they knew their first aid well.
The remainder of the day consisted of more firewood collecting and Totin Chip teaching and dinner cooking. For dinner, a handful of scouts went for cooking and fire building requirements and did exceptionally well in both areas. When dark arrived so did low temperatures, but that did not squander the scouts desire to hold a traditional game of capture the flag. The night was topped of by a campfire program, and then lights out.
The next morning most of the scouts and adults did an exceptional job of getting up on time (with the exception of the lazy-boned Asst. Scoutmaster M.) even after a cold and stormy night. While breakfast was being cooked, the New Scouts finished their Totin Chip course and were awarded knife use privileges. Breakfast went well as did packing up, even though the wind was howling. Overall this campout was a good first aid learning experience and for the New Scouts a good camping experience.
The following descriptions were given to the "victims". They were not read to the Scouts but served as a guide on how the victim would act. The Scouts reacted to the victim's make-up and acting:
Scenario 1: You're bitten in the left arm by a poisonous snake. In your panic to get help you start to run and fall over a tree branch breaking your lower right arm (simple fracture). You're now conscious but in shock and panicking quickly.
In your delirium you see a Boy Scout patrol come by and you call in a panic for their assistance. It's dusk and soon it will be dark. They're still 3 miles away from their camp. They're also 5 miles away from the nearest known phone, back on the highway down the trail they came up.
Scenario 2: You've fallen into your campfire and your clothes caught on fire. You managed to roll and get the flames out but you now have 2nd and 3rd degree burns and related shock. You're lying on the ground and are very groggy from the shock.
You see a Boy Scout patrol walk by and call out to them. It's mid-morning. The nearest known help is back at the Scout's campsite where there are some adults with cars.
Scenario 3: You've drunk a liquid from a jar that you expected was water but in reality was paint thinner. You're nauseous and are vomiting. Your stomach really hurts and burns. If the scouts ask you what you swallowed tell them you don't know but it smelled like paint.
A Boy Scout patrol comes across you. It's in the early afternoon. The nearest help is at a ranger's cabin 5 miles away.
Scenario 4: You were painting a window and fell through it, hitting your head on the ground. Not only that but a piece of glass has become lodged in your arm and you're bleeding heavily. When the Scouts find you, you're unconscious but moaning heavily.
A Boy Scout patrol finds you. You have a phone inside of your house.
Scenario 5: You and your family were driving when you were in an accident. You were all thrown from the car and have various injuries.
It's very late in the evening and a patrol of Boy Scouts crossing a road finds the accident. The only known phone to them is miles back on the trail. The road is only lightly traveled. However, one of you has a cell phone but none of you have thought to use it.