Scouts Focus On First Aid At KCC

By Kendra Bobowick

Do they know what to do if they are bitten by a snake?

Learn to stay calm and call poison control, agreed den 3, pack 570 boy scouts Christopher Beal and Ryan McNerney. The two were among members of their troop visiting Kevin’s Community Center (KCC), Saturday, March 10, where they learned what to do in case of a poisonous snake bites, nose bleeds, abrasions, or collapse.

“First aid is the focus,” said troop mother Tricia Curry. The troop members were working to earn the Arrow of Light badge for emergency preparedness that day. “Some things are new concepts and they learned not to panic; they could help.”

The center’s Clinic Director Linda Pinkney said, “They can now recognize an emergency.” Ms Curry said, “These are good things for fifth graders to know.”

Swinging their arms up immediately to pinch their noses, heads thrown back, scouts Kevin Curry and Stephen Sedensky demonstrated what they would do in case of a nose bleed — pinch, and stop the bleeding. Across the hall, scout James Mok took a handful of gauze and pressed it to the inside of doctor John DeFrance’s arm as he would do if the doctor were bleeding. Peeking in the room, Ms Curry noted, “This is a big day for these guys.”

Ms Pinkney found the group’s attitude toward the day’s lessons “charming.” She said, “They bring their own experiences and stories, adding their own to each [lesson].”

 In the front room Jack Boushie was prone on the floor, imitating a person who had collapsed. Kneeling beside him was volunteer Micheline Williams, who said, “The most important thing is to stay calm. Take a deep breath, because you want the person calm, then get help.”

She said, “Scream to get help [if you have to] and don’t worry about looking like a fool.” She also explained that if a person has collapsed in a seizure, “move everything out of the way.” Ms Williams made motions to move away tables and chairs near the person who might flail during a seizure. She also warned, “don’t touch them.”

Kevin’s Community Center founder and president, Doctor Z. Michael Toweh signed certificates for each of the scouts that day.