My Mountain Training Association account helps keep the insurance and first-aid certification up-to-date by sending me emails to remind me when these things need to be renewed and updated on my profile. I may have in fact renewed them but it is useful to be reminded to RECORD things on the Hills of Hame website and on my MTA account. I also work for Rescue Medics (UK Ltd), who provide co-ordinated medical and rescue services for the outdoor events industry in Scotland.
Al working as a cycle first responder in the Pentlands
I renewed my outdoor first-aid qualifications with the British Association of Ski Patrollers (BASP), who provide a range of courses from one-day events up to Emergency Medical Technician level. I’ve done several BASP courses, including first-aid at work, over the past 10 years or so and they have all been good, all have been different. In part that reflects the interests, background and experience of the trainers and also the group of people undergoing training.
This time round we had two trainers who work as specialist resuscitation officers within NHS Scotland, as well as working in the remote, hostile and austere environment of the high mountains. One focus was very much on delivering the best quality CPR we possibly could as teams working on dummies wired with sensor packages, which was a hugely informative experience.
To complement the intensive work on CPR and airway management there was the usual fun and frolics with a range of outdoor scenarios within the grounds of Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Centre.
If you’re working in the outdoors in a land-based career or are involved with a national governing board scheme for outdoor activities, BASP offers an excellent set of courses with a strong focus having you leave the course with the sense that you are a safer and more confident responder than when you started, no matter how many courses you’ve previously done.
I am a palaeobiologist in my early 40's carrying out research work. I am based in Scotland.
Hills of Hame 
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