07/09/2012
Blisters, sore feet, dehydration – and that was just me!
My Olympic journey started back in 2010 as one of 240,000 people applying for 70, 000 volunteer places. As an EFR instructor I was offered a role as a First Responder in the 4200 strong medical team.
The Park was divided into the individual venues, and a common area within the Park’s perimeter. I was located in this area, the Common Domain. The Common Domain was divided into four areas, each with its own Medical Room, Doctor, Nurse and First Responder teams, covering shifts from 6am to 1am.
After numerous orientations, and participating in a few test events along the way, I found myself at the Park on the first rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony, where I had my first experience of how many 60,000 people actually is.
With spectator numbers up to 200,000 each day, it was pretty busy. I had to be prepared for anything, starting with actually trying to find a person in the crowd, dealing with minor blisters, cuts from trips & falls, and attending the more serious incidents.
I’m frequently asked whether I got to see many events – I didn’t. Getting into the venues was almost impossible. So, am I disappointed that I didn’t see anything? No, ultimately I was in a team that directly saved a person’s life outside the park, so I’m more than happy to have given my time.
If I were to offer any advice to other EFR instructors, I would say that the EFR courses have great content and well prepare your students for the real world - the EFR scenarios are a very important part to build confidence. Keep the course fun, but be strict on the basics like barriers. Try to include optional AED skills, and make your scenarios as realistic as possible especially your Secondary Care.
Tim Cheong, EFR Center - Timuna Sea Ltd
