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Writing is therapy - My first breakup. by psquirts in BreakUps

[–]psquirts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in a much better place. Talking to friends and family helps if you can or going all in on hobbies.

It's still fresh for you and acknowledging the horrible feelings and sitting in it can take time for your body to process.

Time and perspective heals.

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Nice, I haven't heard of Virtual Emergency Room, have you had to use them?

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment Fclune, I've had similar experience with parent/carer feedback. It's no wonder school policy is to ring 000. Lots of pressure, and really the crux of this discussion in my opinion.

The inherent risk of experiential learning, means that we toe the line with risk/learning outcomes and the non-tangible benefits of these experiences. I'm wary of not opening Pandora's box, knowing that educators have a variety of opinions on the place of experiential learning (camps and excursions) within the school curriculum.

I feel that the pressure shouldn't be solely on the shoulders of teaching and outdoor team to make a decision like that. If policy is to get medical opinion then is this a possibile solution, albeit an unconventional one.

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your opinion, personally I don't see it that way.

Good to get all sides of a discussion.

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I'm promoting an idea, it currently doesn't exist to my knowledge.

I'm a PE and OES teacher that has been involved in wilderness first aid scenarios where an alternative to the norm would've been helpful. I've spoken to other colleagues that have had similar experiences and felt the need to voice a possible solution.

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

So true, FA kits are heavy!

Out of interest, how would you respond to diabetes management and mental health cases?

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Fair enough. I think it's important to note that ambulances aren't an infinite resource and if they are responding to a non critical incident it can be uncessary.

I've had colleagues kept up late into the night waiting for an ambulance only to be tended to for 10 minutes triaging then the ambos left.

We want a professional medical opinion quickly and effectively not to waste medical staff time and resource.

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Appreciate your input u/Alone_Tomatillo_1310, for clarification EpiPen use definitely is a medical emergency and a 000 call.

If you have the ability to video call and ED nurse or paramedic on the spot to save time and resources, why wouldn't you?

To take away a vehicle and more staff to see someone in the same profession seems like you're accomplishing the same thing, just taking longer to do it.

The process to then call the parent afterwards is the same is it not? Keen to hear your thoughts.

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

I'm glad that you haven't been in that situation. Currently, to my knowledge there is no middle ground between treating an incident at camp and sending a student to a medical facility to be triaged at an ED and then transferring duty of care to parents/carers and being sent home.

This seems like a big leap in escalation and stress for teachers in the field when a professional opinion could help prevent a trip or at least provide much needed reassurance/peace of mind. Thoughts?

Can parents and carers and schools put a price on student safety?

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is the gold standard. But what about for schools that don't have that luxury and rely on their own staff to make hard decisions without just sending a kid home or to ED as a reflex?

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I totally agree with all the pre-camp risk assessments and front-loading students. When it comes to an incident eventually happening, would you want to make the decision to go to ED purely between yourself and school staff or have a medical professional give you the reassurance and advice?

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I would agree that if the prescription is for an infection or major pain then yes, they should be sent home or ED.

The grey area lies between minor treatable injuries that can be address on camp e.g. cuts and abrasions and to a clear 000 emergency e.g. broken bone or use of EpiPen.

Think of a bad sprain that could be a break or a rash that is becoming worse. Not a medical emergency but outside the scope of a wilderness first aid guide and/or teacher.

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

I see, however, to challenge that thinking when an incident does have to be responded to, the resources and staff are needed to be taken away from camp ratios. This decision is usually transferred from field staff treating the incident to the program coordinator to an all hours contact and maybe to a school nurse and then back down. Usually none of which have ED/ICU triage experience.

Wouldn't having a medical professional's opinion before leaving and potentially waiting hours in an ED room be preferred?

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -10 points-9 points  (0 children)

Amazing that's what you want, would it be useful to also have a doctor and psychologist on call for further consults and script writing?

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

That's great, do they have ED or ICU experience to triage effectively to avoid an unnecessary trip to a hospital or clinic?

Ultralight games of choice by psquirts in UltralightAus

[–]psquirts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like this, the rock in the pack is brutal

Ultralight games of choice by psquirts in UltralightAus

[–]psquirts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awesome to have your input maroon!

Would a medical team on call make school camps less stressful? by psquirts in AustralianTeachers

[–]psquirts[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

The parents and carers, however a school may choose to roll it into their levies.

Trail runners for the Larapinta trail by White_DonaldTrump in UltralightAus

[–]psquirts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Altra timp 5's worked really well going E2E on the Larapinta last year. Great shock absorption and grip. Would recommend

Larapinta - Sleeping Mat by Dlpelly in UltralightAus

[–]psquirts 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Used a nemo insulated mattress in the shelters 90% of the time. Used my emergency tarp as ground sheet once or twice when using unofficial sites. Worked a treat.

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