First Aid: Basics

Objectives

Each Scout should be able to do the following: (Boy Scout Handbook pp 124-147)

• Complete advancement requirements T11, T12a, T12b, S7b.

• Assemble a personal first aid kit to take on hikes.

• Treat for minor first aid, e.g. simple cuts, minor burns, nosebleed, bites and stings.

• Care for a choking victim.

Materials

• First aid practice kit, troop first aid kit, personal first aid kit, fake wounds.

• CPR faceguard and protective gloves.

• Bandages suitable for simple cuts, burns, etc.

Discovery

• Display the personal first aid kit and troop first aid kit.

• Ask Scouts who will provide first aid when we are out camping and someone gets hurt?

Process

1. What is in a first aid kit?

   1. Briefly go through the items in your troop first aid kit and their uses.

   2. Show the contents of the small personal kit.

2. Use EDGE to teach Scouts how to administer simple First Aid.
   They must demonstrate the skill, not just tell how they would do it. Use fake wounds or red marker, water, band-aids, moleskin, etc.
   You already Explained the need to know first aid. Demonstrate a problem on a Scout. Then, Guide Scout buddies to do the problem on each other and show you their results. Then, do the next problem.
   If they performed the first aid adequately, they are Enabled otherwise have them practice more.

   1. Simple cuts and scratches

   2. Blisters on hand and foot

   3. First degree burns

   4. Bites or Stings of insects and ticks

   5. Poisonous snakes

   6. Nosebleed

3. Poisonous Plants

   1. Tell how to identify three poisonous plants.

   2. To how to treat for exposure: wash skin, wash clothes and relieve itching with lotion.

4. Use EDGE to teach Scouts how to care for choking victim. Show positioning, but DO NOT actually do abdominal thrusts or back blows. Demonstrate on one Scout and then have buddy pairs act it out and show you their positions.

   1. Encourage continued coughing since some air is getting in.

   2. If coughing and breathing stop, do abdominal thrusts and back blows. DO NOT actually do these!!!

   3. If victim goes unconscious, lower him to the floor and switch to rescue breaths and chest compressions.

Application:

Scouts make their own first aid kit. Ask the scoutmaster if the troop has items to make personal kits.

Scouts should identify a poison ivy plant in the wild.