Collected and Edited by David Frydenlund (last revised in 2013)

First Aid

Moves and Carries

The Patrol must simulate moving victims away from a dangerous accident site. Two cones are placed twenty feet apart. The Patrol is provided with two suitable poles and a tarp. At the beginning of the event, one Patrol member is half way between the cones, on the ground. Another member of the Patrol must drag them (using a tarp drag) to one of the cones. From this cone a different Patrol member is aided in a walking assist (arm over shoulder) to the other cone. From this cone a different victim is carried back to the other cone using a one man, over the back, carry. Then another Patrol member is carried back to the other cone using a four hand carry. Then another Patrol member is carried to the other cone using a two man sling carry. Finally, the Patrol rigs a hasty stretcher and moves a victim (two duffel bags each with about 30 – 40 pounds of sand) back to the other cone where the clock stops. If a victim is dropped the team must go back to the cone and start the carry over. No member is allowed to be the victim twice. This is a timed event. Lowest time wins.

Bind Him Up With Neckerchiefs

The Patrol is provided with 10 triangular bandages and confronted with a victim who has fallen from a tree. The Patrol is one mile from the nearest road and there is no cell phone service. The victim is bleeding from the scalp, the back of the right hand, his left knee and the top of his right foot. In addition there is a little bit of bone peeking out from the blood on his arm, half way between the wrist and the elbow. Using only the "neckerchiefs" the Patrol should bandage the victim for bleeding and apply a splint (from scrounged materials or from provided boards) and sling. This is a timed event. Improperly applied bandaging or splinting should be identified while the scenario is in progress and redone while the clock runs. Lowest time wins.

First Aid Relay

One member of each Patrol acts as a patient for the Patrol. In relay fashion, the other Scouts tie in a fixed order the following bandages. Cravat head, palm, leg, ankle support, arm, and triangular sling. The patrol leader should set-up his Emergency Response Team based on these skills. The patrol leader, after having directed the bandaging of the patient, will designate the Scouts who will transport the patient 10 yards for each of 3 carries (the walking assist, two-person chair, and Four-man [stretcher] carry). This is a timed event. Lowest time wins. However the clock does not stop until all treatments are satisfactory to the judge. Inadequate treatment should be pointed out as it occurs and immediately corrected.

Stretcher Relay

This event is designed to make Scouts aware of a variety of improvised stretchers and how they work. Most BSA Scouts know about how to make a stretcher by folding a blanket or tarp in thirds over two spars. Very few know about making the stretcher by rolling the edges of the blanket around the spars until you have the width you want. Similarly, few know that, for a short carry, rolling the edges of a blanket or tarp to create handholds is "good enough". This relay is a timed event. Two markers are set 25 feet apart. Each carry goes from one marker to the other and the next carry goes back. The number and complexity of carries is up to the event planner. For a complex event the three stretchers found at http://www.paratusinstitute.com/Wilderness%20Stretchers.pdf may be adequate. Add in the rolled edge tarp and the roller spar tarp varieties already mentioned and you have a tough half hour event.

Electrifying Accident Scenario

The Patrol is hiking in a thunder storm. They hear a nearby lightning strike followed by a scream. Going to the scene they find a victim on the ground who appears unconscious. There is a fallen power pole nearby and a power line (simulate with rope) lies on the ground next to the victim. The victim has charred skin on the left hand. At the left shoulder the shirt is still smoldering and smoking. It is a mile to the nearest road. There is no cell phone service. Take appropriate action. This event is scored on points. A time limit should be established for the scenario. Scene safe is a key element. ABCs are important. Stopping the burning is important. Treating for burns, shock, and maintaining breathing are key elements. Major penalties should be assessed for failure to clear away the energized power line.

ATV Accident Scenario

It is five miles from the trailhead and there is no cell phone service. You come upon two victims who were riding an ATV which appears to have hit a deer and then a tree. Pick appropriate injuries and have the Scouts resolve them. This event would be run for points.