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Meerkats: As sentinels, we are not as good, but we should be!

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Martin Gallagher • Mar 17, 2018

Meerkat Sentinels

We don’t need to go around killing cobras, but we do need to return to a socially aware mindset. Like the meerkats, we need to work together to keep everybody and our children safe, so we can live, grow, learn, work and play in a safe environment.

Are these animals a frightened collective?

They are not living in fear, but they are highly alert. The members of this successful social group of animals look out for each other, they take turns in guarding and monitoring their environment, whilst allowing other members to feed and play. They do not have or rely on a police force, military or security service. When they see something suspicious, they tell the rest of their collective, when a cobra enters their area, it is usually spotted by at least one member of the team and together they deal with it.

Without their excellent and constant vigilance, their unit would eventually be destroyed by predators.

Put all the advertising gimmicks aside, remove the “Oh they’re so cute” factor from your mind, these amazing animals are tenacious and have a much better survival instinct and work better as a collective than we do because their first care is to their unit and not to themselves.

When your brain is off-grid, buried in your mobile phone or reading your newspaper on the usually cram-packed tube, train or bus, you are prey. Look up from time to time and check your surroundings if you see something, say something. Bet your last dollar that nearly all (if not all) the other commuters are off-grid too. Personally, I have seen this all too many times when traveling.

Enrol on our first aid training courses to learn how to handle emergencies. Call Crisilience Ltd on 07889 151 757

Based in Northolt, we can provide courses to students across Middlesex and the UK.

First Aid Refresher

This relates to our “theory only” Online First Aid Refresher

Practical elements must be performed face to face with an instructor.

Although a First Aid at Work Refresher is not compulsory, the HSE and all awarding bodies “strongly” recommend that all qualified first aiders undergo an annual 3-hour refresher.

Having done your full course, be it FAW level 3 or EFAW level 3 etc, you may never have to use your skills and you may also not review your training until your certificate expires and you have to re-sit or re-qualify 3 years later. Will you remember it all? If you had to use your training as a first aider, would you be competent?

Why not consider doing our FAW Refresher on-line on our Learner Management System (LMS)?

Currently, it’s free as it is in BETA stage, (We have the first 5 modules up already). Yes, modules, they are bite-sized with a small quiz at the end of each module. You can do a module at a time and return anytime you wish to continue, the quiz is timed and must be done in one sitting, we have allowed an extremely generous 30 minutes for each quiz, which in reality, could be completed in 5 minutes. When all 20 or so modules are complete there will be a grand quiz, which will test you on all your theoretical knowledge.

If you feel you didn’t do as well as you expected on any quiz, you can always try it again. In future, the FAW refresher will only be accessed by Crisilience clients and those we have taught for other training organisations. So jump in now and register on our Education site while you have the chance. If you have already registered, visit our LMS site. Of course, we’d appreciate any and all feedback regarding the modules or the program in its entirety.

Paediatric First Aid 2-day level three course

This Paediatric First Aid Level 3 two day course is for persons who are working with infants and young children or those who are working towards an NVQ in Childcare and Education (teachers, au pairs/nannies and playgroup leaders).

This qualification teaches theoretical and practical aspects in First Aid techniques that are particular to infants aged 0 to 1 year, and children aged from 1 year old to the start of puberty.

Students will become accustomed to the role of the paediatric first aider and be able to assess and respond appropriately to an emergency condition, for example; a child or an infant who is unresponsive, has an airway blockage or is suffering from shock.

As you will see from the course content below, this is an extremely busy course and is as intense as the Level 3 First Aid at Work course.

We at Crisilience feel that this course justifies a 3 day attendance, whereas our Awarding Body states, “It was agreed with the First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum, Skills for Care and Development and the Sector Skills Council for the qualification that, in addition to this guidance the minimum contact hours, excluding breaks, should be a minimum period of 12 contact hours, which normally equates to a two-day programme.”

Although we strongly feel that the course should run over three days, this has not in any way impacted the cost of this course by adding the extra day, which we believe is very beneficial to the learner as the lessons will be delivered at a slower and more relaxed tempo allowing positive information retention and excellent learning outcomes. After all, the welfare and well-being of children is very important.

Course Content 1
  • Responsibility of a Paediatric First Aider
  • Minimising the risk of infection to self and others
  • First aid and personal protective equipment required for emergencies
  • Using first aid and personal protection equipment safely
  • Information required to be included in an accident report/incident record and how to record it
  • Reporting procedures following an accident/incident
  • Definition of an infant and a child for the purposes of first aid treatment
  • Conducting a scene survey
  • Conducting a primary survey of an infant and a child
  • When to call for help
  • The information required to be given when obtaining assistance
  • Assessing the level of consciousness of an infant and a child
  • The reasons why an infant and a child should be placed in the recovery position
  • Placing an infant and a child in the recovery position
  • Continually monitor an infant and a child whilst they are in the recovery position
  • Assisting an infant and a child who is experiencing a seizure
  • Identifying when to administer Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to an unresponsive infant and an unresponsive child who is not breathing normally
  • Administering CPR using an infant and a child manikin
  • Identify when a foreign body airway obstruction is mild and severe
  • Administering first aid to an infant and a child who is choking
  • The types and severity of bleeding
  • The effects of severe blood loss in an infant and a child
  • Controlling external bleeding
  • Define the term ‘shock’ relevant to first aid
  • Recognising an infant and a child who is suffering from shock
  • Managing the effects of shock
Course Content Continued
  • Common triggers for anaphylaxis
  • Recognising anaphylaxis in an infant and a child
  • Administering first aid for an infant and a child with anaphylaxis
  • Types of fractures
  • Recognising suspected fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains
  • Administering first aid for suspected fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains
  • Recognising suspected concussion, skull fracture, cerebral compression and spinal injury
  • Administering first aid for suspected concussion, skull fracture, cerebral compression & spinal injury
  • Conditions affecting the eyes, ears and nose
  • Recognising sickle cell crisis, diabetic emergencies, asthma attack, allergic reaction, meningitis and febrile convulsions
  • Managing sickle cell crisis, diabetic emergencies, asthma attack, allergic reaction, meningitis and febrile convulsions
  • The effects of extreme cold and heat
  • Managing the effects of extreme cold and heat
  • Safely managing an incident involving electricity
  • Treating a casualty of electric shock
  • Recognising the severity of burns and scalds
  • Managing burns and scalds
  • Routes that poisonous substances take to enter the body
  • Sources of information for treating those affected by sudden poisoning
  • Managing sudden poisoning
  • The severity of bites and stings
  • Managing bites and stings
  • Administering first aid for small cuts, grazes, bumps and bruises, small splinters and nose bleeds
  • What and how to record information that is required to record illnesses, injuries and emergencies
  • Confidentiality procedures for recording, storing and sharing information

Emergency First Aid at Work 1-day level three course

The 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) Level 3 RQF qualification is for those who are working, or preparing to work, within the industry who would like to become an Emergency First Aider in the workplace for the purposes of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.

This qualification launched on 1st October 2017 and replaced the Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (QCF).

On the course, learners will be given their own manual as well as a delegate pack containing all the first aid items necessary for practical aspects of this training.

Learning Outcomes Unit 1 – The Learner Will:
  • Understand the role and responsibilities of a first aider
  • Be able to assess an incident
  • Be able to manage an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally
  • Be able to manage an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally
  • Know how to recognise and assist a casualty who is choking
  • Be able to manage a casualty with external bleeding
  • Be able to manage a casualty who is in shock
  • Be able to manage a casualty with a minor injury
Course Summary
  • Introduction to the first aider
  • What is first aid?
  • First aid in the workplace
  • Roles & responsibilities of the first aider – 1 hour
  • Assessing an incident
  • Scene survey
  • Primary survey
  • Casualty communication – 1 hour
  • Principles of resuscitation
  • The respiratory system
  • CPR
  • Adult basic life support
  • Compression only CPR
  • AED (Defibrillator) – 2 hours
Course Summary Continued
  • Obstructed airway
  • Choking – 1 hour
  • The circulatory system
  • Types of bleeding
  • Wounds & embedded objects
  • Hypovolaemic shock – 1 hour
  • Seizures – 30 mins
  • Minor injuries & burns – 30 mins
Who is this qualification for?

This qualification is aimed at learners who wish to become emergency first-aiders in the workplace.

The qualification meets the requirements for training emergency first-aiders in those organisations that have identified that staff need to be trained to this level within their first-aid needs assessment.

How long will it take?

To complete this qualification, learners should expect to undertake 7 hours of learning, typically over one day, with a minimum contact time of 6 hours.

Topics Covered

The qualification covers knowledge such as the roles and responsibilities of the first aider and how to assess an incident. The qualification also covers first aid skills in CPR and use of an AED, providing first aid to a casualty who is choking and dealing with external bleeding and hypovolaemic shock.

Assessment Method

This qualification is assessed by a practical demonstration and written/oral questioning.

First Aid at Work 3-day level three course

RQF First Aid at Work (3 Day Program)

RQF First Aid at Work (2 Day Re-qualification)

This First Aid at Work course is available as a three-day program or two-day requalification course, equipping you or your employees with the skills to deal with major and minor emergencies in the workplace.

This qualification launched on 1st October 2017 and replaced the Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (QCF).

Learners will gain the confidence to prioritise casualties and administer the relevant treatment.

Course Content
  • Health and safety regulations
  • Risk assessment
  • Contents of the first aid box
  • Dealing with emergency situations
  • Casualty communication
  • The initial assessment
  • Assessing for danger
  • Response checks
  • Calling for help (999/112)
  • Management of the airway
  • Checking for breathing
  • Secondary assessment
  • Body checks
  • Recovery position
  • Cardiac conditions
  • Cardio pulmonary resuscitation
  • The chain of survival
  • Safe use of an AED (defib)
  • Choking protocols
  • Resuscitation for children and babies
Course Content Continued

Dealing with a casualty who has:

  • Sustained a bleed
  • Been burnt or scalded
  • Shock
  • Broken bones, fractures and dislocations
  • Soft tissue injuries, sprains and strains
  • Eye injuries
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Concussion
  • Compression
  • Skull fracture
  • Spinal fracture
  • Miscellaneous conditions
  • Asthma
  • Anaphylactic shock
  • Diabetes
  • Poisoning
AssessmentWho is this qualification for?

This qualification is aimed at learners who wish to become first-aiders in the workplace. This qualification meets the requirements for training first-aiders in those organisations that have identified that staff need to be trained to this level within their first-aid needs assessment.

How long will it take?

To complete this qualification, learners should expect to undertake 22 hours of learning, typically over three days, with a minimum contact time of 18 hours.

Topics Covered

The qualification covers knowledge such as the roles and responsibilities of the first aider, how to assess an incident and recognising signs and symptoms of injury and illness. The qualification also covers first aid skills in CPR and use of an AED, and assisting a casualty who is suffering from major injury and illness such as chest injuries, spinal injuries and anaphylaxis.

Assessment Method

This qualification is assessed by a practical demonstration and written/oral questioning.