First Aid and Health Care
What the exam tests
Priority order at an incident, correct handling of common camp injuries, and the camp hygiene that prevents them.
Primary survey
Danger to you and the casualty, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation - DRABC. Shout for help and send a clear message: what happened, where, how many casualties, what has been done.
- Unconscious but breathing: recovery position, monitor breathing, nothing by mouth.
- Not breathing: CPR with 30 compressions to 2 breaths, compressions 5–6 cm deep at 100–120 per minute.
- Severe bleeding: direct pressure with a clean pad, elevate, do not lift the pad repeatedly.
- Fracture: support and immobilise with a splint across the joints above and below; never attempt to reset.
- Burn: cool with clean running water for about 20 minutes, cover loosely; no ice, butter or toothpaste.
- Snake bite: keep the casualty calm and still, immobilise the limb at or below heart level, remove rings, get to hospital; no cut, no suction, no tight tourniquet.
- Sprain: RICE - rest, ice, compression, elevation.
- Heat stroke (hot, dry, confused) is an emergency: shade, cool, fluids only if fully conscious.
Camp health
Safe drinking water by boiling, filtering or chlorination; covered food; handwashing before eating; daily latrine care; rubbish disposal; no shared towels; insect protection; a checked first-aid kit before departure.
Worked example
A Scout faints at the flag ceremony. Catch and lower him, check response, breathing and pulse, loosen clothing, shade and air, place in the recovery position, raise the legs, give nothing by mouth until fully awake, note the time and inform the Scoutmaster.
Traps
- Pouring water into an unconscious mouth.
- The outdated 15:2 CPR ratio.
- Cutting or sucking a snake bite.