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🏁 Name

First Aid Race

An engaging, fast-paced training game for lifeguards and aquatic staff, designed to simulate real-life first aid situations in a competitive group setting.

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🩹 Core Skill

Rapid First Aid Assessment and Treatment

This module strengthens staff competencies in:

• Recognizing and responding to various medical emergencies
• Applying correct treatment protocols swiftly and accurately
• Communicating effectively and adhering to standardized procedures (e.g., SAMPLE acronym)

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🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Who

This training involves the following roles:

Role	Description
Training Leader	Facilitates the entire activity, holds the scenario cards, sets up rounds
Judges (1 per team)	Observes the responder’s actions, tracks time, enforces penalties
Groups (2+ teams)	4–6 participants per team; at least three teams for ideal competition
P.I.P.s (Patrons in Peril)	Actors from each team who simulate emergencies based on the cards
First Aid Responders	Designated from each team to assess and treat the assigned P.I.P.

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🎮 What

A simulated first aid relay challenge that builds team cohesion and practical skills under pressure.

Each round follows these key steps:

1. Training Leader draws a card with a first aid scenario based on your facility’s training standard
   (Suggested: American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual – PDF)
2. P.I.P.s receive their role and prepare to act it out authentically
3. At “Go!”, each P.I.P. returns to their team for responders to identify and treat the emergency
4. Judges track time and monitor for accuracy, infractions, and penalties
5. Lowest cumulative team time after 4+ rounds wins

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🔧 How

Preparation

• Gather training cards with realistic first aid scenarios (aligned to Red Cross or your preferred curriculum)
• Divide staff into 3+ teams of 4–6 participants
• Assign one judge to each team

1. Scenario Briefing
   • Training Leader secretly briefs each P.I.P. on what symptoms to display (e.g., stroke signs, heat exhaustion)
   • Encourage expressive and accurate role-play without giving hints
2. Execution
   • P.I.P.s rejoin their teams
   • First aid responder from each team performs immediate assessment and treatment
   • Judges start timers at “Go” and stop when successful resolution is achieved
3. Scoring & Penalties
   • Time is recorded per round
   • Mistakes such as improper communication, incorrect treatment, or missed protocol trigger 10-second penalties
   • Poor role-play or cheating by P.I.P.s also incurs penalties
   • Total time after all rounds determines the winning team

🔧 Setup Instructions

1. Create a Deck of First Aid Scenario Cards
   • Each card represents a condition aligned with your facility’s training standard (e.g., stroke, asthma, bleeding)
2. Divide Staff into Teams
   • 4–6 people per team; aim for 3+ teams total
3. Assign Judges and a Training Leader
   • Judges must understand correct treatment criteria and protocol infractions

🎯 Gameplay Flow

1. Each team selects one member to serve as the P.I.P. for the round.
2. P.I.P.s walk to the Training Leader, away from their teams.
3. Training Leader randomly selects a scenario card and privately briefs each P.I.P. on how to act it out (e.g., stroke: droopy face, slurred speech, weak arm).
4. Upon instruction, the Training Leader shouts “Go!”
5. P.I.P.s race back to their respective teams.
6. First Aid Responder must:
   • Introduce themselves
   • Ask permission to treat
   • Follow the SAMPLE acronym
   • Assess and identify the ailment
   • Apply correct treatment per standards
   • Discreetly simulate calling 911 if required
7. Judges:
   • Start timer at “Go”
   • Stop timer when correct treatment is completed
   • Add 10 seconds for each error or infraction

⛔ Infractions & Penalties

Potential Responder Penalties (+10 seconds each):

• Not introducing self and asking permission to treat
• Not following SAMPLE acronym
• Failing to discreetly simulate calling 911 (if needed)
• Misidentifying the issue
• Applying incorrect treatment

Potential P.I.P. Penalties (+10 seconds each):

• Inaccurate acting of symptoms
• Providing hints or clues to responder
• Not cooperating or acting disengaged

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⚠️ Difficulties Instructors Might Face

Training Leaders and Judges should anticipate and proactively address these challenges:

• Inconsistent Role-Play: P.I.P.s may struggle to act convincingly, impacting realism; consider using visual aids or performance tips
• Judging Accuracy: Mistakes can be subtle—judges must be well-versed in protocol to fairly assign penalties
• Overcrowding or Noise: Ambient distractions in aquatic facilities can hinder communication—use spaced-out stations or designated quiet zones
• Scenario Creep: Teams may go off-script or misinterpret their roles—provide clear, standardized descriptions on each card
• Resistance to Simulation: Some staff may hesitate to “pretend” injuries—emphasize the value of realism for skill retention

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