Nsw.scouts.com.au

Scouts Australia (New South Wales Branch) PO Box 125
Lidcombe 1825
SEPT 2005
GO TO BED AFTER A MEETING KNOWING YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING THAT
CAN HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT, STARTING THE VERY NEXT DAY.

Here are just three responses from the August Leaders News on the Web dealing with peanut
allergy and Anaphylactic Shock.
Take time to read them.
“This is a fantastic resource to give us. Thank you.” (Seaforth, Sydney North) “Thank you, I had a cold sweat come over me when I read it. We have a peanut allergy scout and at Christmas we had chips, peanuts, and satay skewers at our party, just told the scout not to eat the peanuts. Now I realise why the scout went home early, and could have died. I now know how serious it is.” (South Met) “Some appreciation of these events is a valuable addition to the range of knowledge that we introduce to Scouts, and just may save a life.” (Turramurra, Sydney North) Warwick recalls the police bringing his 13 year old son home; he was worried about being home very late
and getting into trouble. The next bus wasn’t for 45 minutes. Why was he late? He and a scout mate were
delayed administering CPR to an elderly lady who had a heart attack and stopped breathing in Chatswood
no one else knew what to do. A skill acquired where? At scouts.
Here is some more feedback, with a practical suggestion: PREPARE YOUR TROOP OR UNIT MEMBERS
SO THEY CAN SAVE A LIFE.
We ran a program last week showing the Scouts what to expect with Anaphylactic Shock, a severe Asthma attack, a Diabetic, or Hypoglycaemic Event and an Epileptic Fit. We showed the bracelets/necklaces often worn by people subject to these conditions, and had training Epipens & Ventolin inhalers (as well as jelly beans for the Hypo!), that allowed the Scouts to have hands on experience. I was assisted in this program by my wife, a pharmacist. The program went extremely well, keeping interest for the entire time allowed for the activity. The training Epipen and Ventolin inhaler are available from pharmacies and would make worthwhile additions to any instruction on how to deal with these situations. It was particularly interesting to note that quite a number of the Scouts had some experience with these conditions, either friends or family, one boy even has an Epipen (he does not bring it to Scouts, but will not eat anything - he is allergic to cashew nuts). This boy has never used the Epipen, and really appreciated using the training device. We did, of course, stress the importance of calling the ambulance in every instance where one of these events occurs. Some appreciation of these events is a valuable addition to the range of knowledge that we introduce to Scouts, and just may save a life. (Brendan Owen is a Leader in 1st Turramurra Group - Sydney North.) (WBs: Epipen Trainers can be ordered though your Chemist for about $15 and are reusable. Ensure you use qualified people; doctor; ambulance officer; pharmacist; Emergency Room nurse. .) September 2005
HELPING ADOLESCENTS STOP INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR AGAINST THE
OPPOSITE SEX AND ACQUIRE LIFE SKILLS
A problem that schools, clubs and the community has to deal with is inappropriate behaviour from 12 and 13 old (and other immature) males such as pinching bottoms, unseemly comments, grabs at breasts, bra strap plucking and similarly apparently out of place actions. As a Leader, remember that it is ALWAYS important to investigate a complaint (albeit quite informally), BEFORE reacting. An actual case discussed last year was a 12 year old boy who squeezed a 12 year old girl’s breast. The female supervisor and girl were furious, the boy quite remorseful, the male supervisor took the boy aside and obtained the rest of the story. The girl had first squeezed the boy’s privates and said”Jeez, you’re small” to which he had responded by squeezing her breast and saying ‘so are you’. If you’re a teacher or anyone connected with young people this will not come as a surprise. SCOUTS can be proactive and help young people grow emotionally. Give them a life skill, by a simple activity. STOP THEM BEING NERDY AND IMMATURE.
Especially valuable if you have some signs of this behaviour in the Troop, Unit or Crew. (This activity requires there to be at least 4 of each sex and a discussion group of 8 or more, ideally between 8 and 12. Combining the Troop & Unit or Unit & Crew, makes it more practical) Separate them into two groups, one for the boys and one for the girls, apart, so each group can’t hear or see what the other is writing. On flip chart paper have them write down the things and sayings that the opposite sex say and do, that make them feel uncomfortable or cause them to think the other sex are immature and nerdy. (Keep an eye on what is being written to ensure they are treating it seriously.) Put the charts up and then sitting in a combined group have the girls go through their list first. Outlining why and giving details of how it makes them feel, and then tell what they think is more mature and grown up for the boys to act/talk. The boys to just listen without comment. Then the boys take their turn. Finally, don’t allow either the boys or the girls to justify why they do what is complained about. DO have a general discussion on what they have learned from the experience. REMEMBER, SCOUTING HELPS MEMBERS DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS,
IT’S UP TO YOU TO MAKE IT HAPPEN
THE PATROL SYSTEM IS THE LEARNING TECHNIQUE SCOUTING USES
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Anything you want covered by Members Support in a future News on the Web, or made into a Leaders Support Guide, drop Warwick a brief line on his private email at ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ State Headquarters Support Team
Dr Warwick Bateman OAM (State Commissioner - Members Support) Robert Rodgers. (Assistant State Commissioner - Members Support) Regional Support Team
Consult your Region Office for their contact details. September 2005

Source: http://www.nsw.scouts.com.au/images/stories/documents/Leader%20Support/leaderNewsSept05.pdf