Any experiences?
I'm thinking of joining up to get some first aid training to start and then look into doing some voluntary work with them - patience transfer type work, using it as a grounding then looking to apply to the local ambulance service maybe in the future if current job doesn't get better
I have spare time and to coin a well used phrase 'want to give something back'
cheers
Mate's wife is a St John's Ambulance-ist. Seems to love it, and has clearly learned lots. I recall she's trained to use a defib. machine.
There are various local events etc. that the St J's bunch cover, and she seems to invariably be manning the ambulance during them. She seems to love the opportunity to do something for the local community that's practical.
Liked this typo:
patience transfer type work
🙂
What about a First Responder? They seem to do a great job and the guys I've met doing it were superb.
Unfortunately, the St JA I've worked with over the years were terrible with only one exception.
cheers,
to becom a first responder i have to start off at the bottom which doesnt bother me,
what was bad, the way it was run/incompetance?St JA I've worked with over the years were terrible with only one exception.
As a rule, johners tend to get looked down on by NHS ambulance people, which is a bit unfair, though the stereotype of over eager people who smell slightly is often alarmingly accurate, many are people like yourself looking for some experience. If your local area has a community first responder scheme, thats always worth getting in with, they'll train you in basic life support and defibrillation and oxygen use, which looks good for NHS interviews and shows "giving something back". Also might be worth considering the red cross, and the scouts. FWIW Scouts would be my favourite, cos you get to fun things like mountain biking, kayaking and climbing, learn first aid, show that you are organised and responsible and really give something back (plus if they're out riding bikes, the little scrotes wont be stealing your car!).
A lot of St Johns stuff (according to a friend who's quite high up) is quite cliquey. the same people do the fun stuff, while others get stuck in the church hall making cups of tea.
A lot o the medics I work with came from a life guard background, maybe your local leisure centre is hiring for evenings/ weekends (and you'd get to blow a mean whistle!)
Also, there are plenty of specialist first aid courses, see if you can tie it into your interests, to show them in interview that you are more than just another sap with 2 day first aid. Some kind of mountain leader course will give you genuinely usefull skills, both in life and as a paramedic and interview questions always involve giving examples of situations where you've helped someone ec... if you can give clinical situations, and know what you're talking about then all the better! Depending on your location, life boat, mountain rescue and cave rescue are good places to get valualb eskills for free as well (and you're certainly giving something back with those groups!)
Good luck!
Jim
My brother-in-law is doing really well as a paramedic - he went straight into the ambulance service from being a car mechanic, so not sure if joining St.Johns will help you.
Want me to find out more about how he got in?
Don't you need to be over 16stone and unable to waddle more than 20yds to be accepted - and be completely oblivious to all thats going on! 😉
MY bro-in-law is definitely over 16st. Mainly because he's 6ft 5. I'll point out your lil joke to him eh?
They were incompetent, inept, unable to cooperate, insular and several years out of date with most of what they practiced. I was better and more currently trained as a beach lifeguard than the St JA who were supposedly giving first aid cover on our stretch of coast. I was a lot younger and looking back on what they did, with the experiences I've had since, gives me a sense of horror at how close they occasionally came to real trouble.
ourmaninthenorth - MemberMate's wife is a St John's Ambulance-ist. Seems to love it, and has clearly learned lots. I recall she's trained to use a defib. machine.
Modern de-fibs are automatic. They even work through clothes. You don't need training per se to use one, but you could do with some training to know WHEN you should be using it (ie, not on someone that's just fallen asleep on a bench!). IIRC if a pulse is detected the machine tells you, but you really dont wanna be randomly shocking people!
thanks all especially meehaja...
i'm looking at all options, i thnk i'll join anyway to get me out the house 😉
i quit fancy the specific mtb first aid course aswell a few have done on here.
Dezb ive sent you an email mate.
cheers