"If we encourage everyone to have a basic first aid knowledge we will all be better off". Oh how i have tried, you would think it would be easy to give away some basic training! My not quite 4 year old grandaughter Lily was with me when "little Junior" (other brands are available) was delivered, she was besotted with it. Very brief and simple training session later one very proud Lily quoting the ABC's and delivering compressions with gusto. Fast forward 2 days, i am picking Lily up from preschool, met by the teacher/childminder/narrow minded idiot who told me "you should not be teaching this type of thing to Lily it confuses her and has disrupted the class" apparently A is for apple B is for.......you get the drift. i have offered free training for the class (yes i have all relevant enhanced CRB clearance) but it appears it is not a skill deemed useful enough or important enough for the children. better stop now before i really start ranting.........................

glennjo,

Having read that I decided to give it a go, the Facilities Manager had a total hissy fit, she was not happy with me at all, however the roars of laughter from the staff as she went round cursing me whilst removing them was an exelent tonic.

Any more idea's like that gratefully received.

Being ex ambulance (recently retired) I have witnessed on MANY occassion the use of inappropriate address.
It is quite difficult not to lapse into the "are you OK my love?" type conversation. I am sure that when used, these terms are indeed well meant, never-the-less I guess we should endeavour to get it right.
I found myself on many occasion asking the patient what they liked to be called. Part of Good First Aid involves introducing yourself. If the patient is unresponsive, I guess you can call them what you want but reassurance and calming the patient down is imortant, and if by calling them by an address which causes them a little offence, then be careful.
This is my first comment, having just joined the forum etc, so I hope I have not caused any offence 'my luvvers'

My resolutions.........none. Dont make any, cant break any, cant fail any.

Oh there is one.........to stick the Bristol Stool Chart up in more loos at work. This is acheivable and more fun hearing the grapevine feedback!

No, not at all. And remember in order to save fatigue, change arms once in a while.

I Firmly resolve to give my right arm more exercise, smacking trained First Aiders round their ear when they e-mail or phone me after watching the Vinnie Jones film about CPR and asking me if we don't have to do rescue breathes any more.

Or would that be going too far?

Yes, there are probably some regional influences here but I so agree with the gentleman's dislike of being called 'mate', especially by someone who is considerably younger than me or is trying to sell me something. Why are we so reluctant to use terms like 'Sir' in this country. Most people in other European countries are quite content with their various words like monsieur, herr, signor, etc. Why not the British? Is it some kind of reaction against school, the Armed Services, the 'Honours' system?
And don't get me on to so-called greetings such as 'Hey'.

Just the one 'thedarg'? Oh-dear. Would you like to borrow some of mine?

Call me old fashioned, but I'll be waiting at least another fortnight before I put my decoration up.