[philmont] No Wilderness First Aid in 2007

Gee, imagine that. BSA National mandating a unit level requirement without first estimating the impact, and then changing their mind.
Reminds me of the Swimming Merit Badge fiasco of a few years ago.

Don't get me wrong, WFA is a great thing to have at Philmont. If you have a major injury in the back country, that may be your best hope. But before mandating it, Philmont and National should have first checked to see availablity of the course and help local Councils make provision for their crews. As I pointed out in a previous post to this list, most Councils east of the Mississippi River don't even offer WFA to their units becasuse the Red Cross has no qualified WFA instructors in their area. At least with an additional year, local Councils and the Red Cross can coordinate things and make the course available (hopefuly at a reduced cost) to not only for their Philmont Crews, but any other unit leader wishing to take the course.
We, as an organization, constantly promote safety and first aid to our membership. We must have our Med Forms up to date each year. Elements of First Aid are requirements for 2nd Class, 1st Class and an Eagle required Merit Badge. All of the outdoor merit badges contain a First Aid requirement. Every element of our outdoor program has some fist aid qualifier.
The concept is absolutely well intentioned. The execution leaves a little to be desired. (OK, in some cases, a lot to be desired). Lets hope that Philmont and National will assist Councils with this requirement.

Craig Winney
UC, GSLAC

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Pete Swiggum
  To: philmont List Member
  Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 5:18 PM
  Subject: [philmont] No Wilderness First Aid in 2007

  There has been discussion about the Wilderness First Aid requirement on this
  list server, but I wasn't sure if it was speculation, rumor or what, so I
  spoke with Fran at Philmont yesterday and she made it official.

  The requirement for each crew to have a minimum of one person trained in
  Wilderness First Aid has been rescinded until 2008. Basic First Aid
  training will be required, as it has been, for 2007.

  The reason given was there weren't enough course offerings around the
  country to support the change.

  Each council will be notified very soon by letter.

  Pete Swiggum
  Green Bay, WI

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Received on Tue Oct 3 23:23:33 2006