I have to run the First Aid tent for an upcoming event for my kid's high school. I am looking for any advice I can get. Also, I am wondering if there are legal issues I need to be aware of. Is it okay to give people over-the-counter drugs that they sometimes come and ask for, such as Tylenol and Motrin? I'd appreciate any advice I could get. Thanks

Hi sleepy 247.

No you can not give meds at your tent especially to minors! You have no idea of the Hx of any of the people you are treating. You are not a Dr. or a Pharmacist. Do not even have any OTC's at your tent. You will need: Water, water, water, and more water. You should also have you steth, BP cuff, and an oral thermometer. You should also have bandages, tape, bandaids, splints, and slings, and Lots of ICE. A cot would also come in handy. Is there a school nurse in the district?? Find out who the school nurse is for that school. Ask for their help and advice. If you are not a nurse then you should have a current first aid cert and CPR to have the background you will need to tx the minor injuries. You should also have a cell phone or radio that you can use to call up to the school and have them make your Emergency calls. If you are a nurse, O2 would be good to have also. Good luck and most of all have fun. Also, if you are a nurse you could show up early and identify any areas that you consider unsafe and have them changed before the event begins.

Good advice from flowerchild. Just a few more things. You will also need a box of gloves & some zip lock bags to make ice packs unless you will be using chemical cold packs. If it's an event for students only you may want to ask the principal for the emergency contact cards. If you have a pocket mask bring it just in case you have to perform CPR.

Have fun & don't be afraid to call for help.

sleepy--I would suggest that you have a chat with your local Red Cross for guidance. They have a lot of experience with temp medical aid and may be able to keep you out of trouble. (Or even do it themselves?) Or if that doesn't work out, your local police department can probably direct you to companies who regularly do this for sporting events, rock concerts, etc. who might be willing to advise you.

There are a LOT of issues and potential problems here, legal and medical.

Thanks for the great ideas. Hopefully, the weather will cool off enough that I won't have to worry about heat related illnesses and bee stings!

I've helped man the first aid booth for the local high school's senior lock-in for the past few years. We have a doctor, nurse, or EMT volunteer scheduled for each of the scheduled sign up shifts; and also have slots available for non-medical volunteers. Our school district has individual (2 pill) packets of Tylenol and Motrin available for the kids; they can come in and sign out 1 packet and take them themselves. This is what they do in the school nurse office while in school anyway (once there is a parental signature on file), so we are not liable for "prescribing" OTC's to minors. Each year at this event, we dispense lots of bandaids, TLC, companionship, and several ace wraps for sprained or strained digits and ankles. One thing I have found to be invaluable is the sterile spray saline in a can. Our first aid booth is near the bathrooms, but if you've got someone with a skinned knee with dirt in it, trying to get that knee up in a school bathroom sink is sometimes tricky and the canned saline is easy to use. Do have paper towels handy for catching the drips! Don't use the spray directly into the eye, though because the pressure may be too great for that use; we have used it to rinse an eye by spraying it into a small paper dixie cup and having the kid hold it up to his eye and tipping his head back when the kid got something in his eye (that doc really liked the product for that use!).

Most of all, be avilable and open and cheerful when the kids come in. Many times the kids are just tired and need a time out from all the activities; they just don't want to admit that to themselves! This can be a fun way to connect with the kids; many of my kids' friends would stop in and just say "Hi" to me and I've noticed that with the other volunteers also. We are an indoor event in early spring, so have never had to deal with bees yet.

Hope that helps.

Good luck and have fun.

Jenny

Jenny, Thanks so much! I really like the idea about the saline spray. I will be pretty far from running water so it will be a wonderful thing to have on hand. Thanks also for the advice on the OTC stuff. I will check w/ the school nurse at the high school and make sure of the rules in our area. My primary area of nursing is Labor and Delivery so I tend to feel very uncomfortable w/ any patient who isn't pregnant. This should be an adventure! Thanks again, Colleen

Colleen,

If you're going to be outside, be sure to have sunscreen. Sunburns are still possible in Nashville at this time of year!

Joy

Even if it cools off I've noticed the yellow jackets are swarmming here in GA. Check with the local EMS they can give pretty good advice on what to have on hand