'I've become someone I never thought I'd become' - Mary

[@pathosanimations8401]

I like how there's always lots of medics there for a displaced ankle.

[@jordanwhite8685]

In this instance there are a number of reasons why there would be 3 first aiders; a Cadet First Aider is required to be supervised by an adult of at least rank of Operational First Aider for safeguarding reasons, in this case she is paired with an Advanced First Aider. Another reason could be the other First Aider is less experienced and would also be paired with an Advanced First Aider as is best practice to pair with someone else more experienced. Lastly, in this case the event is extremely busy and if the patient couldn't walk the use of a carry chair may be required, which has a minimum of two operators; from what I can recall the organisation does not usually allow or expect Cadet First Aiders to operate carry chairs, but I could be wrong on this. Either way, 3 first aiders in this situation is actually very practical.

[@pathosanimations8401]

@@jordanwhite8685 Wow. How is sja at the moment? I feel like joining it again.

[@jordanwhite8685]

@@pathosanimations8401 I'm loving it but I've only been operational for just over a month now though I joined the organisation in 2020, I had a personal loss so I took time out. I think SJA is starting to get into the rhythm of things but in my area a lot of contracts have been withdrawn for SJA, can't speak for other regions but I imagine this is the case elsewhere. Despite this, there will always be events and when they see the quotes for alternate providers I think more contracts will come back. From a discussion with an EAC today they said (if memory serves) that SECAmb charge £3000 an ambulance to cover an event (i.e. football), I can't speak for our prices but I imagine a bit more competitive. That pricing makes sense when you consider an ambulance is minimum a crew of two highly skilled health care professionals, whereas St John Ambulance have a range of skillsets that can be deployed according to operational requirements at the time. Sorry, bit of a rant but that is my personal view on the matter - well worth coming back!

[@simongreer6179]

@@jordanwhite8685 I think the reason why there was 3 FA's was that a Foxtrot team is normally made up of 2 people, and the cadets aren't actually counted as FA's. I don't really know but that's what happens in NI normally.