Young lifesavers vie for top place in national First Aid finals

The finals are the culmination of months of training by these young people, aged from 10 – 16 years, who have mastered several techniques such as how to treat people for burns, poisons, crush injuries, and cardiac arrest.

Supporters and teams from all over the country will be hoping that their "Minors" bring home the silverware in a day-long test of their abilities to save lives and treat illness and injury this Saturday (11 October) in Co. Laois. And they will also be cheering on adult First Aiders who are also testing their skills for the first time at the National Novice and Cadet First Aid Finals.

National Competitions Chairman, John Costin says these annual First Aid competitions are vital for younger and new Red Cross members to test their quick-thinking and treatment skills in responding to emergencies. Organisers of the competitions are, as always, tight-lipped about what challenges the youngsters will have to deal with as the "surprise" element is one of the features of the competition which most resemble a real-life emergency.

"Confidentiality is critical to preparing for the competitions because the whole challenge of First Aid is dealing with an unforeseen incident," said John. And he stressed that our national First Aid competitions are a gateway to European competitions.

"There is actually a lot of prestige involved in Red Cross First Aid competitions as it represents the highest standards of First Aid and care that people across Europe can rely on in times of crisis," added John.

This year sees the highest number of entrants ever in the national Novice and Cadet First Aid finals from across the country, with some counties fielding entrants for the first time ever. John says this is mainly due to the very hard work of the Competitions Working Group who have sought to get as many members as possible involved in competing for top prize in First Aid by creating demanding First Aid scenarios that challenge all of the abilities of a First Aider.

"I would like to thank all of my colleagues on the Competitions sub-committee for their tremendously hard work in preparing for this event. I would also like to thank all of the Red Cross members who are not competing, but are giving up their time to be casualties, adjudicators, score-keepers and even serving tea on the day!

"These people together with our excellent hosts in the Irish Red Cross in Co. Laois are all deserving of our sincerest appreciation," said John.

Note to Editors:

The National Cadet & Novice First Aid Finals consist of four events – a team and individual event for Cadets and a team and individual event for Novices (ie first-time competitors).

The Finals take place at the Heywood Community School, Ballinakill (5km east of Abbeyleix), Co. Laois on Saturday 11 October 2008, starting at 1pm and finishing at 5pm approximately. Details of each county’s team are contained below