Apollo Explorers Showcase First Aid Skills During Expedition

While taking part in their Chief Scout’s Diamond (Duke of Edinburgh Silver) Award Practice Expedition last weekend, Explorers from Lagan Valley Apollo Explorers (Ballymachash) found themselves in an unexpected situation. As they neared the end of their expedition, a mountain biker approached the team, riding with one hand on the handlebars and the other outstretched. He asked if they had a first aid kit and whether they could help.

Mai, the designated team leader for the expedition, immediately responded, “Yes, we can help,” and proceeded to retrieve the team’s first aid kit from her bag. “I don’t think he realised just how bad it was,” Mai recalled. The mountain biker had suffered a badly lacerated arm, and despite the bleeding having started to congeal, it was still dripping onto the ground. “I could see the bone in his arm,” Mai said. Despite feeling nervous, she managed to bandage the wound, her hands shaking almost as much as the biker’s. “I was shaking almost as much as he was,” she said.

The team tried to persuade the biker to wait for further help, but he refused, telling them the bandage was enough and insisting on continuing his ride. He thanked them for their assistance and went on his way.

This was just one of several challenges faced by the team throughout the weekend. Despite lots of rain, poor visibility on the first day and night, and a modified route on day two due to streams becoming uncrossable torrents, the team completed their expedition successfully. Other obstacles included a team member suffering a broken rucksack, followed by an asthma attack near the end of the day. However, the Scouts remained composed and handled every situation with determination and care.

Andrew Stacey, one of the adult leaders, reflected on the weekend: “It’s really enjoyable to work with an amazing team of supervisors, but what makes these weekends fantastic are the great calls made by our young people all the time. Whether that’s a contact just to seek advice, or finding out they had just dealt with what could have been a serious medical incident. It makes you feel really proud of our youth members.”

Well done to Mai and the rest of the Lagan Valley Apollo Explorers for their quick thinking and exceptional teamwork in a challenging situation. Their actions are a testament to the skills and leadership qualities developed through Scouting.

Story submitted by Andrew Stacey