Page 25 - Cadet Review Autumn 2021

YNW ACF
D COMPANY
VOLUNTEER GIVES
VITAL FIRST AID IN
ROADSIDE INCIDENT
By SSI Fiona McCallion
Tuesday 18th of May 2021
seemed like it was going to be a day just like many others for SI (Sergeant Instructor) Ryan Doran of D Company's Spen Valley Detachment. It didn't take long, however, for everything to change...
He was on his way to work
in Elland early on that Tuesday morning when, as he drove through the town of Hipperholme, he was flagged down by a workman. The man told him that a boy had just been hit by a car.
As a First Aid-trained Cadet
Force Adult Volunteer, SI Doran
immediately pulled his car over
and went over towards where the 14 year-old boy was lying. "He was rolling about screaming about his neck," recalled SI Doran. "I could see that a gentleman was trying to pick him up, and that is when I decided to take over the situation."
He continued: "While carrying out the First Aid Primary Survey, I quickly established that we needed to keep him still because of the neck pain. He was also complaining of stomach and head pain.
The young teenager's backpack straps were very tight around his shoulders, so his dad and uncle cut the straps to relieve the pressure, but I made sure they did not then move the bag.
I realised I had to keep his head and neck still, and I asked his mother to gently keep his legs still as well. The lad had a big bump on the side of the head, which was a big concern, and he continued to complain of stomach pain. I also suspected one of his shoulders was possibly dislocated or broken, given how it was lying in comparison to his other shoulder."
Throughout the ordeal, SI Doran continued to talk to the teenager to making sure he was as comfortable and calm as possible, while also reassuring his family members, as he had to think about the potential for them to suffer shock. When the ambulance arrived, the crew asked SI Doran to continue keeping the head and neck still while they did their observations. By this stage, the police were
also present. After the boy was put into the ambulance and taken to hospital, the modest Adult Volunteer gave his details to the police and carried on to work.
Later that day, SI Doran was able to visit the family home to get an update
on the teenager's condition, as he was en route to that evening's training at the Halifax Hub (where Spen Valley members are currently parading). The boy's father was very grateful for all the help SI Doran had given, and explained that his son was being kept in hospital as he had sustained a broken shoulder (which required surgery), a broken leg, and cuts and bruising to the face and arms.
SI Doran's actions epitomise the spirit of our Adult Volunteers to help the community, and reflect the excellent standards of training that our members receive. SI Doran is actually a former cadet (whose Detachment Commander then is now his Company Commander, Major Dave Lodge!) so the First Aid training he has received from the ACF started at an early age.
Major Lodge, the members of D Company and, indeed, everyone at Yorkshire (N&W) ACF remain extremely proud of SI Doran and the actions he took on that Tuesday morning. As a result, he was nominated for a national ACFA Praiseworthy First Aid Award which has now been confirmed.
Libby set to
join Harrogate
Foundation
College
During my time with the Army Cadet Force, I have been given opportunities and responsibilities
I never would have been able to do if I hadn’t chosen this path. The ACF has taught me the basic foundations of becoming a strong leader and a great listener. Confidence is something I never would have had, as much as I do today, if I hadn’t taken that first step of joining. Self-confidence and courage are qualities that are constantly being developed during the ACF, no matter what you are doing, together with respect, integrity teamwork and leadership to mention a few.
This is all in preparation to shape future leaders and NCOs, like myself. Becoming a Corporal is something I never thought I would have accomplished but with the help of my instructors, fellow cadets and myself, that’s howIgottowhereIamtodayanditwasall accompanied by plenty of laughs and many, “if it’s not raining, it’s not training!”
Whether you’re in detachment, in the middle of a field in Strensall, or possibly elsewhere, you are guaranteed to always be having fun and making new friends for life, no matter who you are. Camps provide plenty of enjoyable experiences and extra training which takes place out of detachment, allowing you to really progress on the subjects you need to work on. I have been
on many camps and can tell
you, no two are the same,
you will always be up to
something different and
creating new memories
that will stay with you
throughout your entire
time at Cadets. But as
mine comes to an end,
I am glad that the Army
Cadets has allowed me to
realise that my future will
take place and continue
to grow in the Corps
of Royal Artillery,
very soon. To those
who are unsure
or worried about
joining, take that
first step and see
where it will
lead you, you
may like it
or you may
not but it’s
an opportunity
that could change
your life...
CADET REVIEW AUTUMN 2021 25