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NOTE:
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Due to a technical problem with the recording equipment, this transcript has been written from memory, and then verified with Mrs. Medcroft.
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Edward: |
Thanks for coming along, I think I've explained what we are doing already?
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Mrs. Medcroft: |
Yes
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Edward:
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We will use all or parts of this interview on the website. Are you OK with us
doing this?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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That's fine.
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Edward:
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Are you aware of the difference between First Aid and Life Support?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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I would imagine that Life Support is resuscitation, CPR and that sort of thing,
whereas First Aid is less serious incidences.
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Edward:
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Do you have any Life Support qualifications?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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I took a course a couple of years back, but I think it expired after 3 years -
because you don't use it often and then you forget it. But it included things
such as the recovery position.
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Edward:
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When arranging a Youth Group or regular get together, do you consider the
Health and Safety and First Aid aspects of it?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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When we go on a weekend away, for example, we do a risk assessment for the
travel, then again at the place, and we ask to see their own risk assessment.
Most of it, however, is common sense - if you are doing a game where everybody
has to rush to get somewhere, you make sure there aren't two groups of people
trying to get through the same door, etc.
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Edward:
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How do you currently cover First Aid and Life Support in the Youth Groups?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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We are fairly strict with consent forms, we have first aid boxes and a first
aider around all the time, and once a year we perform a fire drill - so that
everyone knows where the assembly point is, for example - the green tick
outside in the car park.
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Edward:
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Are you aware of medical conditions that someone who attends a particular youth
group has?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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Yes, part of the consent form is to fill out any medical conditions. Some
people are very specific - 'Little Jane is allergic to strawberries and will go
purple in the face if she eats one...' whereas others are too vague - 'asthma'.
We then follow up on that and find out how to treat it - an inhaler for
example.
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Edward:
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How do you cover First Aid and Life Support at the church in general?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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We have safety notices, including in the service sheet and on the 'Welcome'
powerpoint that shows at every service, plus Kelvin manages the First Aid /
Medics list. Everyone with medical qualifications is listed there, whether it
be a first aid course to GP and Nurse.
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Edward:
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What is the Christian approach to Life Support, Resuscitation and CPR?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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Quite simply, if you can do it, do it.
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Edward:
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Should Christians in particular be encouraged to obtain Life Support
qualifications?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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No more than everyone else, I think.
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Chris Hill:
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What would you like to see on the site particularly?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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I think, the basic Life Support, such as the recovery position, and treating
common incidences - asthma etc. In addition, when I was trained in Health and
Safety at the Halifax, we spent a lot of time on risk avoidance. For example,
if there was a piece of loose carpet which you tripped up on, and then you
stood up and walked on, it wouldn't get reported. But the next person could be
carrying boiling water, and in tripping up could cause serious burns. Common
Sense things as well - not carrying 20 files down the stairs at once, because
you will drop them and reach out for them... It would be good to show some
example risk assessment and consent forms too, for people who have come to the
site for advice.
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Henry Cooksey:
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That's a good one, we hadn't thought of that!
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Edward:
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Yeah
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Chris Hill:
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Hmm
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Edward:
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If you have a look at the menu structure document that we have already done,
are there any sections that you find particularly interesting?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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looks through the list - oh, Test Yourself, that would be especially valuable.
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Edward:
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Do you think it should be compulsory for everyone / students to learn Life
Support skills?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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Compulsory, no. It isn't something everyone wants to learn, and you have to
have the ability and willingness to do so. Nevertheless, I think it should be
encouraged, and if you could do it, go and do it.
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Edward:
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Do you think it shows a certain character or type of person who actively goes
out to learn these skills? I asked the last person we interviewed this, and
suddenly realised that it doesn't sound very modest!
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Laughing
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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I think it does, you have to keep up to date on your knowledge, and read it
over so that if an emergency does come about, you are able to act. You've also
got to have the guts to act at the time, and that shows an element of bravery,
in my opinion.
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Edward:
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Why do you think it's important that students should learn Life Support? Strike
students - anyone should learn Life Support?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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Often it is essential to provide Life Support before paramedics arrive - often
the person would then survive, who might not have done if there had been a
delay.
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Edward:
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Would you be able to put us in touch with a paramedic?
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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Personally, I don't know a paramedic, but talk to Tracy Jackman because she
might know one.
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Team:
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Thanks for your help.
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Mrs. Medcroft:
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My pleasure.
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