First Aid First Aid

I think I took my very first, first aid course when I was about 13. And then it was pretty much part of my life until I was in my early twenties. I became a lifeguard in my college days, which just meant more first aid. First Aid First Aid First Aid. And then I left all of that behind, and somehow got enchanted by the nightclub business. Then there was no-more first aid.

Yesterday (some 15 years after leaving it behind) I started my St. Johns Ambulance Instructor Program. The group I am working with is as well rounded as one would hope. We have an EMT, a WCB case worker, a safety coordinator, a bus driver, and a future firefighter, and a housewife. Most are in the program so that they can make some extra cash. Only myself and one other candidate are in primarily to allow us to train our in-house personnel. However, after hearing how short St. Johns is for the instructors I am seriously considering giving up a few weekends to make a few extra dollars, God knows I could use them trying to survive here in Calgary.

Anyway, I just wanted to comment in this blog on how quickly certain things come back to you. Going through the lessons I sometimes find my thoughts wandering back to the water park, studying my signs and symptoms with Cara Anderson, or doing drills with Dave Contardi, and who could forget secondaries on Leanne Stewart....that was her name wasn't it Wayne....oh my my.....those were huge tracks of land.

A few weeks ago when Wayne and I were enjoying a beer with Chris he made a comment on how people seem to come around to those things they know. And this course is reminding me what I knew, and what I was doing prior to reaching for that brass ring. I am not really sure how Karma works, but it is ironic how my life is lining up quite similarly to the way it was before I made that incorrect decision to explore the nightlife.

Back then I was a lifeguard at the world waterpark who got called on by the marketing department to take a shot at promotions. And now I am a safety officer for a company that is asking me to assist with their marketing initiatives. Site Inspections and Trade Shows all in one. Just like the good old days of working the first aid room by day, and dawning the mallphin costume by night. Ah isn't life a trip

I will be happy to get through this course and become a certified instructor, not just so I can train our staff more effectively, but also for the opportunity to work with St. Johns. And not just because I will have a chance to make some extra cash, but because I will have a new and positive outlet for some of my energies and talents that don't involve sitting at the end of the bar.

That's all from me for today.....Hope everyone is well....I will be in Edmonton Tue and Wednesday so I hope to see at least a few of you up north....Kelly, Tina, and course I will have to make a trip to see Danger Williams in his elements. NMZ out