Volunteer Essentials

or their parents, subordinate units (troop/neighborhood/district) will administer the completion of any “release” required by outside vendors/venues from individual participants or their parents. No change is recommended related to any release required from Eastern Missouri (where Eastern Missouri is a legal

First Aid and CPR

Emergencies require prompt action and quick judgment. For many activities, Girl Scouts require that a first-aider (a registered, background checked and approved adult volunteer certified in Adult and Child CPR/AED and Standard First Aid) be present. For that reason, if you or another adult volunteer in your troop have the opportunity to take an Adult and Child CPR/AED and Standard First Aid course from a Council-approved agency, do it! Safety Activity Checkpoints will always specify when a first-aider is needed. Note: The following healthcare providers may also serve as first aiders: physician, physician’s assistant, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, paramedic, military medic and emergency medical technicians who have current certification in Adult and Child CPR/AED Since activities can take place in a variety of locations, the presence of a first-aider and the qualifications they need to have are based on the remoteness of the activity. For example, if you take a two-mile hike in an area that has cell phone reception and service along the entire route and EMS (Emergency Medical Services) is no more than 30 minutes away at all times the first-aider will not need to have knowledge of wilderness first aid. If, on the other hand, you take the same two-mile hike in a more remote area with no cell phone service and where EMS is more than 30 minutes away, the first-aider must be certified in wilderness first aid (see the chart below).

Access to EMS

Minimum Level of First Aid Required

Less than 30 minutes More than 30 minutes

Standard First Aid

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder

It is important to understand the differences between a first-aid course and a wilderness-rated course. Although standard first-aid training provides basic incident response, wilderness-rated courses include training on remote-assessment skills, as well as emergency first-aid response, including evacuation techniques, to use when EMS is not readily available.

Note: The presence of a first-aider is required at Resident Camp. For large events—200 people or more— there should be one first-aider for every 200 participants.

First Aid/CPR/AED training that is provided entirely online does not satisfy Girl Scouts requirements. Such courses do not offer enough opportunities to practice and receive feedback on your technique.

Approved National First Aid Certified Agencies include American Red Cross, American Safety and Health Institute, Emergency First Response, Medic First Aid International, Inc. (formerly EMP America), National Safety Council, Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunity (SOLO), American Heart Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and EMS Safety Services.

Volunteer Essentials 72