Bagel Belly Blog

First Aid

Reading bsag on First Aid reminded me of a couple of things. Back in Easter 2002, I was on holiday with my sister and nephews at Butlins, bastion of the great British holiday experience (or something). During the few days we were there, the eldest nephew, Tom, took to climbing the tree opposite the chalet. Like all good kids, he ignored my warnings about dead trees and brittle branches, and was soon at the top of the tree saying "look at me, I'm the best tree climber in the world!"

Inevitably, a branch snapped and in just a few seconds he was relegated to the most unconscious tree climber in the world. Here's where I learnt a useful first aid lesson: don't try and lift up people that have taken a fall, wait for them to wake up first if possible, so you can make sure there's no broken neck etc. Seems obvious in hindsight, but I didn't know it at the time. Thankfully helpful bystanders did.

On Saturday night, I was making my way to a takeaway after having a few beers (and a few more beers, and a fair amount of wine too). Crossing over a notorious bridge in the middle of Norwich, I was unsurprised to see someone lying flat on their back on the other side, having slipped on the icy slope. Every winter this spot is icy and polished smooth by people crashing to the ground. The unconscious guy was being prodded and lifted by his mates, so Paul and I stepped in and advised them to leave him to regain consciousness first. Always tricky, when you're not sure if it's a concussion or excess drinking.

Anyway, the guy eventually came to, and no doubt had the worst hangover of his life the following day. But it seems to me there's a real need for a first aid website listing "things you really ought to know", or maybe something like a "tip of the day" mailing list. Just a thought.