So on Thursday I had the final assessment piece to finally become a CFR for SCAS. I wrote about my apprehension around having to learn different things to that which I had been taught before, or having some learning material that was slightly less than I would choose.

As it turns out, it was not quite what I was led to believe and the hardest bit was the CPR. Which in the end we were talked though it being more about fitness and managing to do it rather than technique. So after a quick brief on how to do it (at least for the purposes of that evening) and off we went to be timed for our CPR compressions.

Once that was done, we had a good amount of time chatting to 2 existing CFRs and hearing about a “chest pain” call that had been incorrectly coded. Turns out the patient had been stabbed in the chest, I suppose that would cause pain! Whilst that was happening we got to try on the uniform in various sizes and order our uniforms for when we finish training.

Next was the boring paperwork of checking driving licence, and DBS/identity checks and making sure I was safe to be around patients. Still waiting on that to come through but I’ve never had issues with that in the past so not worried.

The final test was the manual handling. We had previously been briefed on how to pick the CFR pack (16kg – according to the disclaimer we signed) and you couldn’t help but feel for the paramedic showing us. But insurance requirements are insurance requirements I guess.

So after picking the bag up and throwing it on my back we “went for a walk” down a flight of stairs and back up. Finally we had to simulate putting the bag from the floor back into the boot of the car by putting it back on the table.

All in all, it took about 90mins and as procedural as it was, it was nice to meet the people I would be training with for the next month. However my shyness and anxiety got the better of me and found myself listening from the sidelines rather than being massively involved in the conversations. Hopefully I can change that over the comings weeks.

In the mean time, I have a week leave where I can just chill and read the book recommended.