‘Trust me; I’m a Scout’: This Scout’s first-aid story demonstrates training in action

Last month, Mars Meyer, an 11-year-old Scout with Troop 66 of Longmont, Colo., was playing soccer at a local park when a 7-year-old boy in the game got hit in the face. The boy’s nose started bleeding, and Mars quickly checked on him.

The boy’s mother also came over and instructed her son to tilt his head back. That’s a common first-aid mistake, and Mars knew it.

“No, that could cause blood to pool, and he could choke,” Mars said. “He should put his head down. Trust me; I’m a Scout.”

The mother listened to him and attended to her son, using the proper first-aid technique. It was a technique Mars learned this past summer at Camp Melita Island, a Montana Council camp. There, he completed the First Aid merit badge.

Real-life applications

Scouting teaches “soft skills,” like leadership, problem-solving and practical know-how. Mars’ story is an example of how Scouts can combine those skills and knowledge to help others.

Scouts do this all the time. Sometimes it’s in dramatic life-or-death situations, like those chronicled in “Scouts in Action,” a Scout Life magazine feature. Sometimes it’s in simple moments, like what Mars experienced. Either way, you must Be Prepared.

During summer camp, Mars’ mother, Meg, had asked her son how the First Aid merit badge class was going. He shrugged and said the class involved a lot of review. Reviewing information might not be the most exciting activity for an 11-year-old, but there’s a reason for it.

“We talked about how it’s really important to practice and review because when you’re in a situation that needs first aid, it can be difficult to remember exactly what to do,” Meg says.

That situation came soon, and Mars reacted calmly and decisively. It was a proud moment for Meg, seeing her son’s training turn into action. It’s also a proud moment for every Scouter — what you do prepares young people to make a difference in this world.

Let us know

If you’ve got a story about your Scout’s service to others, we’d love to hear about it. You can email us at onscouting@scouting.org or you can visit Scout Life’s contact us page to share about a unit service project.