CFAV comes to aid of sick colleague

03.12.2019
Cadet with certificate

A Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) has received a First Aid award after she came to the aid of her colleague. 

2nd Lieutenant Abigail Robertson, Stanley Detachment, The Black Watch Battalion Army Cadet Force (ACF), teaches the cadet syllabus at Beath High School in Fife alongside being a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV).

On November 8 she was called to administer first aid to a member of staff who had taken seriously ill. On recounting the incident, Abigail (pictured, above) recalls the casualty having shallow breaths and pain in his chest – her first aid training meant she could identify this as a possible heart attack.

With another member of staff on the phone to the emergency services, Abigail made the decision to prepare a defibrillator as the casualty’s condition appeared to be deteriorating.

She said:We didn’t know how long the paramedics were going to be so we made the decision to prepare to use the defibrillator; we wanted it to be set up and ready to apply straight away in case he fell unconscious as his breaths were getting shallower.”

Just as the defibrillator was being prepared the paramedics arrived and took over. The gentleman was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery and is recovering well.

Abigail’s training with the ACF proved invaluable in this case.

She said: “The training and experience I get through the ACF has definitely helped me keep a calm head and deal with the situation in front of me. This is really important as it ensures I can give the correct first aid to the casualty as well as comfort and reassure them. This is crucial for casualties of all ages.”

Colonel Craig Hubbuck, Commandant of The Black Watch Army Cadet Force, praised Abigail’s actions.

He said: “2Lt Abigail Robertson showed remarkable calmness when faced with a high pressure situation. Abigail’s actions are a credit to herself and The Black Watch ACF.”

Colonel Hubbuck also presented Abigail with an Army Cadet Force Association Praiseworthy First Aid certificate on December 16.

Abigail with Colonel Hubbuck and (right) Beath High Rector Steve Ross.

Beath High School is one of nine school Linked Detachments in Scotland. These were created as part of the Cadet Expansion Programme, a UK Government initiative introduced in 2012 to increase the number of young people benefitting from the cadet experience at school.

If you want to find out more about becoming a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer please contact your local ACF Battalion.



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