Get 10% off a First Aid Certificate
Several times, every day I am involved in discussions with Grooms and Employers about salaries. One of the most commonly asked question by Grooms in what is considered a poorly paid profession is, “what can I do to get the top end of the salary ranges advertised in your jobs?” Through a series of articles over the next few months, we will tell you how you could get some serious extra ££ in your pay packet each week/month. As the first in a series of articles about how grooms can increase their salary, let’s start with the simple, effective, inexpensive and possibly life-saving step – get a First Aid certificate and get a 10% discount on the cost of doing so via The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Recruitment. Find your discount code at the bottom of this article!
When working with horses, whether as a groom or an employer, we do need to acknowledge the physical risks we put ourselves and others in, often in remote locations. We have all seen the gory pictures, we don’t need reminding and most of us have at least one story to tell. Beyond financial considerations, let’s not forget that we need to look after ourselves and each other most of us do love horses, but we love life more!
One day you or someone you pass this on to will be really glad you read this…honestly! Resident blogger Kelly Wallace Horne takes a closer look. Over to you Kelly…
Which Groom at your yard is a First Aider?
We recently discussed first aid for horses at a competition, as the horses’ health and wellbeing is very much in the forefront of every good groom’s mind, but one of the most unfortunate and undeniable aspects of being around horses is the risk of injury to US when things don’t go according to plan. I think it’s fair to say this risk is increased considerably when you work with horses, simply due to the sheer volume of time you will spend around any number of horses compared to a “leisure owner” of one or two horses. No matter how experienced and competent you may be, being around horses will always expose you to increased risk of injury.
From a cut finger when slicing open a new haylage bale to a lost finger when trying to load an obstinate horse onto the lorry, most professional equestrians have some degree of experience when it comes to dealing with medical disasters although, if we are honest, our actions are probably based more on common sense and things we’ve read on the internet rather than genuine knowledge of the correct action to take. What difference could it make if we took the time to participate in a first aid course? Quite a lot, undoubtedly. With modern medical advancements the achievements medics are capable of are amazing but unfortunately they are rarely, if ever, the first on the scene of an accident – that will most likely be you! At the risk of sounding dramatic, the reality is that your decisions and actions in those initial moments could mean the difference between successful surgery or the victim losing those fingers, or the ability to walk normally again, if at all. Scary stuff! Despite the inevitable risk of injury in an equine environment, it isn’t commonplace for a groom to hold a first aid certificate, or for employers to require any staff members to hold one. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take the initiative to get yourself (or your grooms) trained up!
There are a number of agencies that provide first aid training, including St John Ambulance and The British Red Cross, but just how useful is it for horse riders and handlers to be trained by someone with no knowledge of their typical environment? This is where Medi- K Training come in…
Medi-K Training
Medi-K Training is the leading provider of nationally recognised qualifications specifically for Groom and Rider first aid training and is a high quality, dynamic training organisation with an outstanding reputation throughout the equine industry. Any first aid training is invaluable, but Medi-K focus their training on potential scenarios equestrian people could find themselves in daily, for example:
- A blow to the head from a fall
- A kick from a horse
- Dealing with a riding accident on the roads
- A person who has become hypoglycemic (low blood sugar level) from going too long without food,
- Crush injuries
- Head and spinal injuries and much, much more.
Whilst it can be argued that first aid is the same regardless of how an accident has happened, Medi-K recognise that the process of training is not always easy for people working in the equine industry. Most first aid training programmes take place at local schools, colleges, sports centres, town halls, and British Red Cross centres, and can be anything up to 3 days in duration – it is rarely possible for any number of grooms to leave their daily duties to attend these courses. The beauty of a gaining first aid training through a company like Medi-K is that not only do they understand the daily risks equestrian people face, but they understand and work with you to fit training in around your horses and yard schedules – even scheduling breaks in training to allow you to skip out, bring horses in from the field or pop feeds round!
Medi-K, First Aid Training for Horse Riders, is not your average first aid company, founded by an experienced paramedic & horse rider Kay Patterson, all training offered is nationally recognised & certificated.
Taking a first-aid course will leave you with the confidence of knowing what to do should a situation arise – and it could lead to you saving someone’s life.
Founder Kay Patterson explains, “If someone is with a person that has an accident they tend to panic because they don’t know what to do. And often it’s what not to do that’s the most important thing to learn. Certain things that someone might instinctively do can cause more damage to the casualty. For example, pulling them to their feet and telling them to get back on the horse or taking off someone’s hat when they may have neck damage. You’ll find people take their friend off to the coffee shop for a drink because they’ve had a fall and are feeling drowsy, when in fact they’ve got concussion and need medical help. In most cases the best thing you can do is call for help, offer reassurance and encourage the injured person to stay still until medical assistance arrives.”
The cost of First Aid know-how
You cannot put a price on health and safety, and certainly not on saving someone’s digits, legs or life! The cost of a first aid course is another matter, and it really doesn’t break the bank!
Most basic first aid courses are available at around £40-£50 and Medi- K Training is no different, with day courses starting at just £40 per person – ideal for a groom taking the initiative to get themselves first aid savvy. For individuals wishing to participate in a first aid course, Kay and her team will liaise with you to get you enrolled on an existing course held at another local venue. Medi-K Training also host periodical training days aimed purely at individuals wishing to attend.
For employers keen to get their staff first aid trained there are plenty of options for group bookings, either at an arranged venue or at your own establishment. If your industry sector requires staff members to hold certain first aid qualifications by law, Medi-K Training can provide that training. As an example, Medi- K Training take a First Aid at Work (High Risk Workplaces) course and focus the training on the equestrian environment, making that qualification more relevant and valuable to your equestrian workplace.
First Aid Certificates and Qualifications
On successful completion of any first aid course you will receive certification of your participation, which will remain valid for a set duration (usually 1-3 years, depending on the type of course you take). If you have taken a more comprehensive course you may now be a qualified First Aider! Do remember to check if your course includes an FREE annual refresher!
Medi-K Training qualifications are valid for a minimum of 3 years, with optional annual refresher courses available. Retraining will be required every 3 years to renew your qualification.
Benefits
The benefits of first aid training go without saying, but don’t be tempted to think that, because you haven’t needed it so far, it won’t be money well spent!
- First aid training and qualifications are applicable and valid in every situation you walk into. Your new knowledge and skills can be applied anywhere from the cross-country course to a shopping centre.
- Grooms: first aid certificates and training are not industry specific. You take any valid qualification with you into any job you apply for, even if your training and qualification has been provided by a former employer.
- Grooms: no matter the job role, employees with certified first aid training are an asset and this, in turn, increases your employability. You do need to highlight this qualification in your Jobseekers Profile and CV.
- Employers: working for an establishment that values its employees is reassuring, especially in such a high-risk industry, and your commitment to safety will be an attractive attribute.
- Employers: providing first aid training to employees, especially that leaves the participants qualified first aiders, is a career-enhancing benefit and will be something any sensible candidate will appreciate when considering taking employment with you. You do need to highlight this as a benefit of your employment.
Not convinced? Save 10% on your training with The Grooms List!
Medi-K Training has partnered with The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Recruitment to give you 10% off ANY Medi-K Training course! Simply quote “TGL Medi-K 10” when booking your course to receive your discount!
Find out more, browse and select your first aid training course here.
If we are to continue to improve the equine industry as a whole we do need to acknowledge the physical risk we are putting ourselves at, beyond financial remuneration provided by insurance cover. Let’s look after one another too!
