First Aid

When do you Need a Level 1 or Level 2 First Aider?

   Most troop first aiders are classified as “Level 1.” This training includes basic first aid and CPR skills, but is primarily designed for the lay responder who is within the 911 emergency calling area. Many leaders are concerned about what happens if their first aid training expires, or if their first aider cannot attend a meeting. It is strongly recommended that a first aider be present at all times, but troops may hold their regular meetings at their regular location if their first aider is not available, or if her certification has lapsed. However, troops may not go on a field trip without one.

Activities Requiring a Level 1 First Aider:
* Troop activities and field trips away from the regular meeting place
* Troop/group camping and overnights of 1-2 nights
* Traveling troops/groups
* Hikes less than 10 miles
* Bicycling
* Caving
* Low ROPES courses
* Horseback Riding
* Skating
* Orienteering
* Winter sports (within 5 miles of medical help)
* All Swimming and Small Craft Water Activities
* Arts and crafts involving the use of specialized equipment, power machinery or chemicals
* Parades and large group gatherings
* Day events, overnights, and camping events with less than two hundred participants (including girls and adults)
* And any other activities that must obtain special approval from the Council.

   A Level 2 First Aider has received basic first aid and CPR training, plus additional training about handling emergencies with multiple victims, and providing more advanced aid when away from emergency medical care.

Activities Requiring a Level 2 First Aider:
* Resident Camp
* Core Staff and Family Camping
* Day events, overnights, and camping events with more than 200 participants (including girls and adults), most larger day camps, area events like World Thinking Day, many service unit weekends, and most Council events.
* Overnights of three nights or more
* Backpacking trips
* Hiking trips of 10 miles or more
* Trip/travel camping (multiple camping sites)
* High ropes courses and multi pitch climbing
* Some winter sports
* Whitewater or overnight canoeing or kayaking
* Multi-day rafting trips
* Activities regulated by federal, state, or local laws that require this level of training
* And any high-risk activities that must obtain special approval from the Council.

Activities that Girl Scouts are not permitted to do:
* Activities such as paintball that involve shooting a projectile at another person
* Activities involving potentially uncontrolled free fall such as bungee jumping, hang gliding, parachuting, parasailing, and jumping on trampolines
* Extreme variations of sports activities such as high altitude climbing and aerial tricks on bicycles, skis, snowboards, skates, and water skis
* Hunting
* Riding all-terrain vehicles and motor bikes
* Watercraft trips in Class V and above whitewater

Level 1 and 2 training courses include:
Red Cross:
Level 1–Community First Aid and Safety or Standard First Aid with CPR
Level 2–Sport Safety Training, First Aid w/CPR, plus When Help Is Delayed, Responding to Emergencies, and Emergency Response
American Safety and Health Institute:
Level 1– Basic First Aid, plus CPR
Medic First Aid (was EMP America):
Level 1–Pediatric Medic First Aid with CPR
(Medic First Aid Level 2 courses have been discontinued, but current certifications are still valid until the expiration date on the card.)
National Safety Council:
Level 1–Standard First Aid and CPR
Level 2– Medic First-Aid, Sports Medicine, Advanced First Aid and CPR, Wilderness First Aid, First Responder
Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunity (SOLO):
Level 2–Solo Wilderness Emergency Technician, Solo Wilderness First Responder, NOLS Wilderness First Responder, Solo Wilderness First Aid
American Heart Association:
For CPR training only; Please note that the Girl Scouts DO NOT accept American Heart Association first aid training for level 1 or level 2.

   The following professionals may serve as a level 1 or 2 first aider: physician (any MD), physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, paramedic, military medic, emergency medical technician, dentist, lifeguard (level 1 first aider only)

   First aiders must attend update training as required by the sponsoring organization in order to keep their knowledge current.
   If you have any questions about how to get level 1 or 2 training, or when it’s needed, feel free to contact Program Manager Kathy Elliott at kelliott@sjgs.org, 713-292-0224.