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Original poster

St John ambulance youth program

12 replies

MumSam16 · 15/03/2023 16:26

Hello,

Does anyone's son/daughter goes to st john ambulance youth program (Badger)?
If so, could you please share your feedback on how you feel about the experience.

Is it medically focused or is it similar to scouts?

My son is keen to join if he will learn about what doctors do etc. Thank you

OP posts:
dietcokelime · 15/03/2023 16:33

My little sister did it when she was med school minded! She loved it, got first aid trained and used to attend events and be a first aider.

It's obviously very different to what doctors do, but helpful for patient facing experiences 😊

She left eventually as she decided her medical dream wasn't for her!

Slicedpeaches · 15/03/2023 16:53

I did St John Ambulance when I was younger- (about 10 years ago so it may be different now)
It was more first responder/paramedic skills than doctors but it was regarded very well in the interview for my nursing degree- so still helpful if he is medically minded.

There was medical things- basic first aid, stuff like how to clean wounds and use bandages and slings. How to fill in incident and accident forms and treat things like sunburn and foreign bodies in cuts. We were taught CPR with the dummies, re overy position and how to respond to allergies and choking, how to take a temperature and take basic observations

Simulations like how to respond in medical emergencies like car crashes or someone fell off a ladder.
We did casualty simulation- where they taught us to make fake injuries like burns and gashes and then set up an 'injury scene' that another group would then respond to.

Also some cadet type things where you learn to line up and drill.
Also random home skills like what the laundry symbols on clothes mean and how to safely use appliances and store chemicals, also we did tie dye once.

We got to go and sit at the tent and ambulance at events like some festivals in our city- mostly giving water bottles to sunburned people.

Original poster
MumSam16 · 15/03/2023 21:45

Thank you @Slicedpeaches and @dietcokelime for your prompt response. It sounds very interesting. Will do my best to get him in :)

Thank you :)

OP posts:
OpposableThumbs2 · 15/03/2023 22:05

My daughter was a badger from age 7, now a cadet. it's a bit like brownies in that there are badges to collect, not just in first aid. She has learnt some sign language and played games amongst other things. First aid is obviously the main thing they do though. Once they are 13 (I think) they can shadow the adults at events. DD is nearly 12 now and still enjoys going and seems pretty confident and competent at dressing wounds, treating nosebleeds etc... I've seen her doing cpr on a dummy and she was really good at that too although I doubt she could keep it up for long in real life.

GoodnightJude1 · 15/03/2023 22:16

My DD has been on the waiting list to join for 2 years now! (East Anglia)

I hope you’re more successful!!

TokyoSushi · 15/03/2023 22:19

DD is 9 and has just started, she was on the waiting list for 3 years! As pp have said, it's a bit like Brownies but first aid focused so they gain badges etc. She's learned a lot already and they obviously have good equipment to train with, for example she was doing allergies and they were allowed to play with dummy Epi pens. It's amazing how much she knows, she loves it and it's a great life skill.

MerylSqueak · 15/03/2023 22:28

My 15 yo has done it for four years. She loves it. It's the only thing she absolutely hates to miss.

Marchsnowstorms · 15/03/2023 23:40

I used to run a unit. I really liked it as so useful. Great for kids to build people skills

Heckythump1 · 16/03/2023 11:32

My 7 year old is a Badger and she absolutely loves it, she's been going since September and hasn't actually done any first aid yet :P they've done a science badge and currently working on eco badge I think, they do lots of lovely crafts and activities. Lots of parties (even for Bertie Badgers birthday!!) and next month she's going away for a 2 night Badger camp with Badgers from all over our area, which she is SUPER excited about!
She's made lots of lovely friends and the staff at her Sett are lovely too. Brilliant organisation.

Heckythump1 · 16/03/2023 11:33

MerylSqueak · 15/03/2023 22:28

My 15 yo has done it for four years. She loves it. It's the only thing she absolutely hates to miss.

My daughter missed her Badgers for the first time last week as she was poorly.... she was absolutely devestated bless her!

Original poster
MumSam16 · 16/03/2023 21:05

Thank you all. Will enroll him and hopefully we dont have to wait long for a place. I heard there is big demand! Thanks again :)

OP posts:
Lastnamedidntstick · 16/03/2023 21:27

I did the Red Cross one at uni. Loved it. Free gigs, weekends away doing rope rescues and search and rescue.

I think sea cadets/police cadets etc might be similar as well, less first aid focussed obvs.

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