Seasons greetings.

Seasons greetings to one and all, this bloger approaches 2017 as...

• The newly appointed lead canoe instructor for A to Z expeditions, 
• Pendine outdoor education centres on site advisor for the newly launched Llanion project (previously princes trust),
• Recently 5 star trained and looking for assessment next year for open canoe,
• nearly finished with UKCCL3 open canoe assessment portfolio (the end is in sight),
• up and running First aid at work Instructor (with Nuco training),
• an all ready busy employment for 2017!!!

 Having started 2016 as a new and uncertain freelance self employed instructor, it has been really encouraging to be asked or invited back by two of my clients with more requirement back to the 2017 season.

Non of this is possible without the brilliant teams of people I have worked with particularly at Pendine OEC and with A to Z expeditions. I am truly blessed with professional and really fun co workers. With an underlying Integrity that is refreshing and at a level I aspire to match, hopefully on a daily basis.

Thanks for reading.

Over the summer.

Over the Summer, I have steeped up with my self employed networking, and also let the ball drop on some things letting people down in the process.
It sucks sometimes when you knuckle down and do the sums for a client and it turns out you simply can't deliver what you have said you can, hey ho experience learned and it wont happen again.

A potentially huge booking for me running a too day first aid course boiled down to me unable to acquire the right, affordable Liability Insurance, maybe if I had asked for a hefty deposit I would have been able to secure the insurance, but technically you need liability insurance (as far as I am aware) to cover you from the deposit stage onward. I hate letting clients down but I hope this scenario is one I have learnt from and can prevent from re occurring.

I am pleased to announce how ever that I will be insured for delivering First aid at work courses as of the 1st of September, and I am hoping that this bold, and reasonably costly move will give enough employment to get me through the less profitable winter months. We will see.

 

I have also been running some paddle power awards through Cardigan Bay Water sports which has been a really fun experience and saw me on sit on top kayaks for the first time in a while. I am looking forward to developing more links with this brilliantly located and run centre. In a town with some of the best 'foody' establishments, lunch breaks are equally fun in New Quay. I have also 'bean' paddle boarding.

Stay tuned for pricing info and dates for first aid courses (FAW).

Preparing The Ground

This week has seen some stressful times with payments not being made and not being quite enough when they are.

However I have been and shown my face and abilities at a new centre, Black Mountain Activities, who are giving me some freelance work later in the summer. They pay a respectful daily rate.

I am submitting my very first first aid at work (FAW) proposal this week, which outlines duty of care in regard to FAW, as outlined by the Health and Safety executive. It's interesting as due to their status they are legally allowed to do very little in regard to FAW, however the amount of things it is 'recommended' to do is considerable.

I outlined how I can help in terms of FAW courses and training and ongoing development, then priced up how much I believe it will cost. Compared to other providers the rates have turned out more than competitive.

First Aid Instructor

First Aid Instructor!

I am now officially a FAW instructor, including AED (De fibulation) and Anyphalaxis managment (epi pen's), I can run out door First Aid Courses and Paediatric courses. I will also be a qualified L3 teacher (very very basic entry level) I just need to sort out some Liability Insurance and I will be away, watch this blog for the very best of best deals!

The course took 5 days and was hosted by Nuco training a company based in Cornwall and focused on the delivery of First Aid at Work nationwide. There support structure and resources are the very best in standard and I am excited to be under such a professional and well regarded banner.

A few things I learned, you or we are now protected by law in the equipping or the delivery of people suffering from asthma attack a blue inhaler. Ie if a member of my group has "forgotten" his inhaler despite reminding and all the safe guards, If he were to undergo an Asthma attack I could legally give him someone else's in the groups. It is also possible to obtain a blue inhaler from the local chemists/ pharmacists if you can prove you may have need of it. EG. a School First Aid Kit or A Churches, Scout groups, Guide groups.... Outdoor Instructor operating with groups, you get the picture.

Better to give an individual an inhaler then let them pass out and die whilst waiting for an ambulance which will just give them a (you guessed it) blue inhaler if they get there in time and CPR and defibrillator if they are to late.

The same applies to the administration of self injectors or epi-pens when dealing with anaphylaxis.

First Aid Course and Essential Kit

I finished a Mountain First Aid Course yesterday with CRT Medical (www.crtmedical.co.uk). It was a very cool location and a very knowledgeable ex-army medic, Russ, who was instructing us. Good course and one of the cheaper ones I found.

If you're looking to put together a first aid kit be sure to include these essentials:

• A pair of Tuff Cuts
• A couple of decent long crepe bandages
• A Sam Splint or it's equally good cheaper cousin the Anaconda Splint
• An Emergency Care Bandage (E.C.B.)
• Several pairs of Nitrile Gloves (that fit your hands!)
• Knowledge of how to use the above.

All items and more available from the CRT Medical Shop.

Not actual location.