Minimum first aid presence for a mini SJ competition? Also in CR

Eriskayowner

Eriskayowner

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My tutor group at work have got an enterprise endeavour this year - they are given £100 and need to make as much money as possible from it.

One of my tutees is a keen rider, and attends lessons with me every week so wants to organise a Christmas mini show jumping competition. I have organised many events before, and have always had an ambulance on site, but we want the minimum outlay for the maximum income - naturally! - so not spending £200 on two paramedics and ambulance that don't move and drink copious amounts of tea would be nice!

If it a legal requirement to have them there, then they will be there, but I am first aid trained, as are many of the other helpers so do I need an ambulance? What is the minimum we can run with? The maximum height of the jumps will be 2'3".

Many thanks x
 
Would have thought that first aid trained would be fine! - but you know me, and we both know what people like out there - to be wrapped in cotton wool and for any bump, bruise and knock to be taken to A+E?!?!
Just make sure someone is on hand who has transport to do the hospital run??
And emphasise (sp?) on the shedule that first aiders will be in attendance.
I want to come.... bearing in mind - where is it?? (iam running and leading - max 1ft!)( as Meg is on winter holiday - turned into a fair weather rider!!!)
 
You've changed your name!!!! I know what you mean about the fair weather rider - I'm the same!

It'll be over at Conquest (RDA), near Taunton in December some time. Xmas themed.

That's good about the first aid then - I'm hoping that a few first aiders should be fine. The thing that annoys me about paying for an ambulance is that a 999/helicopter should be called for a riding fall anyway so seems a little pointless!
 
i don't think ive changed my name!!
memory is completely tits up anyway at the mo, so I may have done something horrendous and not know!!
If I were you, I wouldn't go down the amulance route - cos you can call them for serious falls anyway and a first aider should be able to cope with the basics. BUT make sure that partispents (sp again!!) know that, and maybe put a first aider in one spot so all know where to go if they need a plaster!
Its a crazy world out there, expect the unexpected and hope for the best!!
 
ambulances are overly expensive I use first aid trained person who is also a nhs first responder, charges between £5-7 per hour, much better and he often has much more kit and has a lot more experience of horse falls.

we have a few other first aiders about to but its nice to have a designated one keeping on eye on things who can get there quickly if necessary.
 
Were you not foolsedition before? Maybe not :S

It would be clearly stated on the schedule, and the first aid base would be at the secretarys inside the gallery so that should be OK.

Ran a CT last Easter and had only one fall (an RDA rider who was schooling in the outdoor arena!) that needed the paramedics (which cost over £200) and they ate loads of bacon rolls, drank loads of cups of tea etc and didn't do anything - so I'm quite keen not to go down that route again!
 
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I think you need to be guided by your insurer as to what the minimum cover should be.

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The insurance would be part of the school's insurance (it was last time
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) so will consult the head on Monday but I can't see it'll be a problem to go with the first aider plan.
 
PLEASE Please, get a fully trainned paramedic team/doctor/nurse!!!
I am an A&E nurse and have been to a couple of low key comps as a competitor where first aiders have totally done the wrong thing. It fills me dread when I see many first aiders. I cannot comment on your level of experience or competancy, but from what I've expereinced the general standard is low.

I'm sorry to sound extremely negative, but having delt with paralysed riders it is not something that I would chance!
 
Might be worth contacting St John Ambulance Service? For some designated first aiders with the necessary kit to attend. Might be looking into seeing how much they charge?
 
As it's a charitable event to raise as much money as possible and you have a little time to plan I'd suggest ring up your local friendly reporter on your local paper and ask them if they could help you in our quest to find a paramedic/doctor to donate their time by attending to cover the first aid, which I'm sure they will, and it'll add to your general publicity for the event = more attend too.
 
Have you looked into just the first aiders? We had a school fate, that the school got some first aiders to attend. No ambulance, they just had all the kit and came in there own cars. I would imagine itld be the ambulance that would cost all the money? Might be worth having a look?
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Nick
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[ QUOTE ]
Have you looked into just the first aiders? We had a school fate, that the school got some first aiders to attend. No ambulance, they just had all the kit and came in there own cars. I would imagine itld be the ambulance that would cost all the money? Might be worth having a look?
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Nick
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I tried that before as well - they said they needed the ambulance as it was an equine event - would need somewhere to take riders with limb injuries etc that was secure and private.
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I have run a show (in aid of RDA) for several years and we state very clearly on the schedule that we have First Aid in attendance, but no ambulance. The top class is 2'6. The show gives a lot of pleasure to local riders, raises a reasonable amount of money for the centre, but it could not carry on if we had to pay out for an ambulance and two people to stand about all day.

The first aid charities will not supply one person, it has to be two for 'elf and safety reasons (well it gives them someone else to talk to all day as that's all they seem to do!). They quoted over £300 to come, and said it had to go before the monthly Monday committee, but they had just had one so they couldn't tell me for another month if they were free. At which point I figured I could do without them.

We are minutes from the local hospital which has an A&E, so if we had a serious accident I would call a proper ambulance, and if it was my child I would not let them go off in anything else.

Serious accidents require fully qualified people, and the people you get for a few hundred quid are not usually that well qualified, so what is the point of paying a huge chunk of your takings for relative amateurs if you are going to call a proper ambulance for anything serious?

Controversial perhaps, but how i feel about it. I don't have a fully trained paramedic following me about when I hack, or go to a jump clinic, or take a group of children xc schooling, so why do I need one when I jump at a show?
 
Isn't it really crap when your trying to do something like this and there is a load of red tape. Sadly its just the way things are though.

I've done a load of events and we get the St Andrews Ambulance to cover them for us. I think St John's is the English equivalent. They are great. They are extremely well qualified, often come with an ambulance and tend only to look for a donation.

Everyone whose mentioned insurance is quite right. You'd be nuts to do anything like this without it. But speak to your local authority and see if you can run it through there's paying them a small sub. Otherwise it can be hugely expensive - especially if you don't have a 'professional' person organising it.

I'm not sure if anybody has mentioned this but you would be well advised either to have a vet or a vet nurse present - or at least know of someone nearby who know will be available quickly. Its not really a legal requirement but it is definately good practise. What we've done in the past is have a vet cover this in turn for him sponsoring a class - obviously which he hasn't paid for.

You'd be amazed what you can beg borrow or steal.

If that all seems too much hassle how about instead of organising a show that you advertise yourself as a poo picking service. if you charge £20 an acre and all you need are a few barrows and pickers. It would only take 5 acres worth to earn another 100 squid. Could be that people would use it as a one off luxury
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