Details of Meeting held on 8 August 2013

On Thursday 8th August,  we heard a most inspiring talk from Dr Stuart Strachan on 'Emergency Pre-hospital Care'.

 

Early involvement with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme first gave Stuart an interest in first aid. However, when he was studying graphic design at university,  a motor cyclist crashed into the garden of his home. Unfortunately the man's leg was severed, but Stuart succeeded in saving his life by applying hand pressure to stop the bleeding until professional help arrived. He received several humanities awards and made the life-changing decision to join the Scottish Ambulance Service as a paramedic. He went on to study medicine, qualified MB ChB and is now a practitioner in general medicine at St John's Hospital. Stuart's primary interest, however, is the promotion of high quality pre-hospital emergency care through BASICS - the British Association of Immediate Care Scotland. This organisation trains and equips doctors and first responders for action in emergency situations ranging from medical emergencies to traffic and industrial accidents. With the help of the Sandpiper Trust, it provides emergency packs equipped with a full kit of drugs and medical apparatus for use at accident sites which may often be in remote and inaccessible locations.

 

Stuart's well-illustrated talk prompted many questions from the floor and members showed great interest in the amazing range of life-saving equipment which could be fitted into the BASICS pack.