Hi all,
I have noticed there is a fast-growing national organization that provides first-aid coverage for major race events (marathons, runs, celebrity, Ironmans, 5k/10k's, etc.). Here's the thing - they come in SEPARATE from the contracted/pre-arranged medical coverage for the race, so they're not part of the medical plan, and only provide coverage on the race course, not in the medical tents. They do this by even putting on their jerseys "in-race first aid."
It's super-appealing to organizations because they are volunteers. Likewise, it requires minimal resources. This group only takes on medical people who are fit runners because these RaceGuards literally run up and down the race course pacing, looking for trouble, providing care - a definite plus. They encourage people, run with them - overall I do think the spirit of what they do is incredible. The org gives preference to hiring providers (physicians, RN's, paramedics, EMT's) but the minimum requirement is first aid/CPR/AED. However, regardless of your training - you're not allowed to practice at anything above first and and CPR/AED anyway.
My big concern is, please look at their jerseys: raceguards.org/. They have a large blue Star of Life in a few places. Front, back, AND sleeves, AND fanny pack.
I know, I know. You say "It's not the star of life! It doesn't have the Rod of Asclepius." But we need to be realistic - from a distance, and to the public, it looks the SAME. It is a Star of Life. And, lest we forget - the blue Star of Life is a federally protected symbol to indicate EMS - and these providers are first aid ONLY, not EMS. Someone knew what they were doing in modifying it enough to look very similar, keeping it blue in color, putting it on as many times as possible, yet it's not the same of course, so one can argue it doesn't violate that NHTSA regulation.
Use a red cross all day long, but that blue Star of Life implies they are offering a level of training and care that their services don't match. It is difficult enough to have a separate group come in to a major national race event when they are not written into the meticulous medical plans that fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies put together with Event Medical Directors... but imagine being part of an ambulance crew standing by at these events - and it already looks like there are 20 EMT's running around on the course when they are truly only passing out bandaids and moleskin, offering nutrition, hydration, pacing and encouragement. Again, these are vital services, but is this the appropriate symbol for that?
What are people's thoughts on this??? Comments, but also please answer the poll below. My question - could it still be a violation? Does anyone else think it is deceiving? Yes, it does say first-aid, but wow... the stars...
I have noticed there is a fast-growing national organization that provides first-aid coverage for major race events (marathons, runs, celebrity, Ironmans, 5k/10k's, etc.). Here's the thing - they come in SEPARATE from the contracted/pre-arranged medical coverage for the race, so they're not part of the medical plan, and only provide coverage on the race course, not in the medical tents. They do this by even putting on their jerseys "in-race first aid."
It's super-appealing to organizations because they are volunteers. Likewise, it requires minimal resources. This group only takes on medical people who are fit runners because these RaceGuards literally run up and down the race course pacing, looking for trouble, providing care - a definite plus. They encourage people, run with them - overall I do think the spirit of what they do is incredible. The org gives preference to hiring providers (physicians, RN's, paramedics, EMT's) but the minimum requirement is first aid/CPR/AED. However, regardless of your training - you're not allowed to practice at anything above first and and CPR/AED anyway.
My big concern is, please look at their jerseys: raceguards.org/. They have a large blue Star of Life in a few places. Front, back, AND sleeves, AND fanny pack.
I know, I know. You say "It's not the star of life! It doesn't have the Rod of Asclepius." But we need to be realistic - from a distance, and to the public, it looks the SAME. It is a Star of Life. And, lest we forget - the blue Star of Life is a federally protected symbol to indicate EMS - and these providers are first aid ONLY, not EMS. Someone knew what they were doing in modifying it enough to look very similar, keeping it blue in color, putting it on as many times as possible, yet it's not the same of course, so one can argue it doesn't violate that NHTSA regulation.
Use a red cross all day long, but that blue Star of Life implies they are offering a level of training and care that their services don't match. It is difficult enough to have a separate group come in to a major national race event when they are not written into the meticulous medical plans that fire, EMS, and emergency management agencies put together with Event Medical Directors... but imagine being part of an ambulance crew standing by at these events - and it already looks like there are 20 EMT's running around on the course when they are truly only passing out bandaids and moleskin, offering nutrition, hydration, pacing and encouragement. Again, these are vital services, but is this the appropriate symbol for that?
What are people's thoughts on this??? Comments, but also please answer the poll below. My question - could it still be a violation? Does anyone else think it is deceiving? Yes, it does say first-aid, but wow... the stars...
