Be Prepared to Help

Scouts, tonight I want to talk about first aid, and why it matters far beyond a merit badge. Picture a friend taking a hard fall on the trail, or someone at school starting to choke. Someday you may be the first person there.

In that moment, you will not have time to look up what to do. You will either know it or you will not. That is what Be Prepared really means. It is not expecting bad things to happen. It is being ready to help when they do. The minutes before professional help arrives can make all the difference, and you can be that difference. So pay attention when we practice. Learn to stop bleeding, give compressions, and splint an injury. A Scout is helpful, and there is no better help than knowing what to do.

This week, practice one first aid skill at home with your family until you can do it without looking. Goodnight, Scouts.