The National Red Cross and Girl Scout Instruction in First Aid

[Ill.u.s.tration]

By special arrangement with the National Red Cross, it is possible for a Girl Scout completing satisfactorily the requirements for the First Aid Proficiency Badge to secure with slight additional work the Red Cross certificate in First Aid. Or the course may be taken entirely under Red Cross auspices, though arranged by Scout officials, in which case the Scout may receive both the Proficiency Badge and the Red Cross certificate. The conditions of this co-operation between the Girl Scouts and the National Red Cross are as follows:

Cla.s.ses are to be organized with not less than four or more than twenty-five in a cla.s.s. The best size is ten to fifteen. _Scouts must be at least sixteen years of age to be admitted to these cla.s.ses._

The instructor must be a physician appointed by the Chairman of the First Aid Committee of the local Chapter of the Red Cross. He or she may be supplied upon request by the Chapter, or chosen by the cla.s.s and the name submitted to the Chapter for appointment.

The Red Cross cla.s.s roll must be sent in to the local Chapter early in the course.

A Secretary to handle the records should be chosen, and where the cla.s.s is made up of Scouts, the officials should be preferably a Scout Captain or Scout Official.

The examiner must be a physician appointed by the local Red Cross Chapter and is preferably some one other than the instructor, but this is not necessary. Like the instructor, the examiner may be supplied by the Chapter or chosen by the cla.s.s.

The Red Cross examination roll, which may be obtained from the Chapter, should be used in giving examinations and then returned to the Chapter, who will issue the certificates. Follow the directions on the roll carefully.

If a Scout holds a First Aid Proficiency Badge she may complete the course in seven and one-half hours. If she does not hold a Proficiency Badge in First Aid then fifteen hours will be required. A Girl Scout holding a Proficiency Badge in First Aid and taking a school course held under Red Cross auspices which she pa.s.ses with a mark of at least seventy-five per cent, can, when the school princ.i.p.al certifies to this, get the Red Cross certificate without further examination by applying to the local Red Cross Chapter.

_Advanced Courses_

Advanced courses are open to those who have the Red Cross certificate.

There must be an interval of at least six months after the elementary course before an advanced course can be taken, and the same interval between repet.i.tions of it. The course of instruction is seven and one-half hours, mainly practical demonstrations. A Red Cross medal is given on completion of this course. Each time it is repeated, up to three times, a bar (engraved with year) is given to be added to the medal.

_Fees_

A fee of fifty cents is required for the elementary course. The local Red Cross Chapter has the right to reduce this fee.

The fee for the advanced course is one dollar, which covers the cost of certificate, examination and medal. The fee for bar and engraving is fifty cents. These fees cannot be reduced.

These fees cover the cost to the Red Cross of postage, certificates, medals, bars, and so forth, but do not cover that of instructor, examiner, or cla.s.sroom supplies, which the Red Cross requires the cla.s.s to take care of.

_Information_

Where there is no local Girl Scout organization refer to the local Red Cross Chapter; or if there is none, either to the Girl Scout National Headquarters, 189 Lexington Avenue, New York, N. Y., or to the Department of First Aid, American Red Cross National Headquarters, Washington, D. C.

4. THE HOME NURSE

The Girl Scout who has earned the Home Nurse Badge may be of great help where there is illness. But, she should remember that only such people as doctors and trained nurses who have knowledge and skill gained by special training and thorough practice are fitted to care properly for those who are very ill.

If the Scout with the badge keeps her head and shows herself steady, reliable and willing, when called upon for help in illness or emergencies, she proves herself a true Scout who is living up to the Scout motto of "BE PREPARED."

To earn the badge she should know:

How to keep the sick room clean and comfortable.

How to make a bed properly.

How to prepare for and help a sick person in taking a bath.

How to make a sick person comfortable in bed, changing position, etc.

How to take temperature, pulse and respiration.

How to prepare and serve simple, nourishing food for the sick.

How to feed a helpless person.

How to prepare and use simple remedies for slight ailments.

How to occupy and amuse the sick.

When helping about the sick, the Scout should wear a wash dress or an ap.r.o.n which covers her dress. She should be very neat and clean. She should wash her hands frequently, _always_ before her own meals, and after coming into contact with the sick person and after handling utensils, dishes, linen, etc., used in the sick room. Great cleanliness is necessary not only for her own protection but to prevent illness spreading.

She should move quickly and quietly, but without bustle or hurry, taking care not to let things fall, not to b.u.mp against the furniture, not to jar the bed, not to slam doors, in fact not to make any unnecessary noises, as sick people are not only disturbed but may be made worse by noises and confusion. If a door is squeaky the hinges should be oiled.

Too much talking, loud talking and whispering are to be avoided. Only cheerful and pleasant subjects should be talked of, _never_ illnesses either that of the patient nor of others.

The best nursing aims not only to bring relief and comfort to those already sick, but to guard against _spreading_ sickness.

We know, now, that many diseases are spread by means of _germs_ which are carried from person to person by various means, such as air, water, milk, and other food; discharges from the mouth, nose, bowels, bladder, wounds; clothing; the hands; the breath, and so forth.

It has been found that great heat, intense cold, sunshine and some powerful drugs called disinfectants kill germs. Germs thrive and multiply in dirt, dampness and darkness. That is why it is important to have fresh air, sunshine and cleanliness in order to keep well, and to help in curing those who get sick.

The Room, Its Order and Arrangement

The hangings and furniture of a sick room should be of a kind that can be washed and easily kept clean. Plain wooden furniture is better than upholstered furniture which collects and holds the dust. If there is a rocking chair it should be for the use of the sick person only. Seeing and hearing other people rock may be very disturbing.

If carpets are movable, so much the better, as they can be taken out to be cleaned.

The room should be bright and attractive. Sick people like flowers and pretty things, but the flowers should not have a strong perfume, and there should not be too many ornaments around to collect dust and to take up too much room. Flowers should be taken out of the room every night and the water changed before being returned to the room in the morning. Never have faded flowers around.

The room should be kept neat--a place for everything and everything in its place.

Neatness and attractiveness are not only pleasing to the sick person and those who come into the room but may really make the sick person feel better.

Medicines should not be kept in sight. All dishes and utensils not in use should be taken away and should be washed immediately after use.

_Ventilating and Lighting the Room_

The room of a sick person should be so situated that it will get plenty of sunlight and be easily aired. A room that has two or more windows can be better ventilated than a room with only one. When there is only one window, it should be opened both top and bottom. If there is not a screen, one can be made by hanging a shawl or a blanket over a clothes horse or a high-backed chair, or over a line stretched across the lower part of the window. A fire place or a stove keeps the air circulating--the air being constantly drawn up the chimney--and so helps in ventilating a room.

When "airing" the room great care must be taken to keep the sick person free from draughts.