We’ve done very little classification bits - deliberately. We tried and those nights had such a small turnout or if we surprised them with it they just logged off. So we had to do other things…!
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We’re in school rather than VPN but limited on what other activities we can do because of mixing year group bubbles. So have been bashing through the syllabus. Going to probably have loads of master cadets with no other badges in the new year.
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VPN’s have sapped my enthusiasm. Having said that, the Cadets have appreciated them, so whether they ‘feel’ of value from a Staff perspective, they clearly have for the Cadets which has helped keep heads up.
As for F2F, the real killer will be how long we have to operate adapted for Covid and social distancing. Understable, yes, but a royal pain in the ass. All the Covid bits is just taking the fun out of a parade evening, and trying to ensure the Cadets comply fully is a nightmare. We spend more time focusing and worrying on the Covid aspects than running the limited and adapted evening, that is truly taking my enthusiasm away.
How long will we all be able to tolerate it? Dunno. Has lock down taught me there is life away from Cadets? Yes.
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this is so true.
given what was expected to be briefed prior to any return indicated that “fun” would be limited, and a paranoia about distancing would be paramount to achieving anything.
I am not saying the distancing isn’t needed nor that it isn’t important, but if it becomes more of distraction than something to be aware of doesn’t that indicating it is already too much effort to return??
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Totally agree - that’s why we did not rush to come back (didn’t make it before we locked down again) and won’t rush when the restrictions lift to ‘just about being able to open’ levels again
Looked at what we could achieve with the numbers allowed and covid rules, and really could find little to justify the risks and staff burden
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I am far happier seeing out “outside” stuff going on.
In our Wing that has mainly been AT, I have seen evidence of at least one walk, two climbing events and even had some shooting take place.
being outside there is already less paranoia, but also easier to space out. given the organisation has been busy on VPN doing classroom stuff aren’t we all keen to get out and about outside the compound??
(Alex Corbin the exception who i predict wants to get on the parade square!
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Personally, I feel we should only be seeing outdoor and very low number indoor activities (e.g. air rifle ranges with 3-6 cadets, low number first aid training).
I feel HQAC really got the strategy wrong by pushing return to regular squadron parades. As above, the effort to return ratio is waaay too high for parades, while running a one off activity with small numbers allows for specific planning then getting on with the activity we all enjoy.
If we’d focused on making it as easy as possible to start standalone activities, I feel we’d be seeing more (particularly outdoor) activities happening up to now and in the new year.
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I would love to be able to run AT but there has been no movement at all on first aid courses in my wing so I’m stuck unless I go external (which I’m going to look at in the new year).
Looks like a lot less of England will be returning to F2F in the new year, assuming NYA stays RED for T4 as the Gov has just added a hell of a lot more areas to T4.
I wonder whether they’ll just stand the organisation down again rather than split across T4 areas. We shall see!
I can see that happening, and more so see the Gov just flat out going T4 nation-wide if this new variant really takes off.
What really annoyed me was listening then to Matt Hancock say how when a decision needs to be made, the action needs to happen straight away. He then says these changes will come in to effect on Boxing day…
Maybe consider it an opportunity to get staff skills updated so come April/May we have a solid offering of outdoor and ‘lower’ risk activities. Also include AEF and VGS in that. Putting things off for the CFAV will only mean delay to what we can offer our young people.
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Trouble is, it would only be CFAV training for those in non-tier 4 areas I imagine.
So the solid offering would only end up existing in parts of the organisation. That’s better than nothing, I agree, but I suspect in light of the increased transmission of the new variant I’m betting on a stand down.
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My Region wouldn’t allow AFA to run before the Tiers came into play so can’t see them allowing it now, won’t be any FA staff able to operate at all at this rate.
How do you do first aid without getting up close and personal with a casualty, real or not?
Wear masks, gloves and use alcohol gel and social distance for all of the stuff that doesn’t require going hands on.
Work solely with the same partner all weekend so that if one of you goes down only the other 1 person has to self isolate.
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It was being delivered within LaSER post lockdown. You had to set up a 2x2m square for each person.
Each person needs their own equipment. (Annie, wipes, training epi-pens, training bandages etc)
No one can work on someone else, so recovery and bandaging was done on your self. Head dressing done on the Annie rather than another participant.
etc etc
You get the idea! This is all detailed in the Return to F2F Guide, appendix 7.
The man from C&E he say no!
Heartstart only!
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I’m hearing musings that F2F is not going to happen until March/April time. Anyone seen or heard anything from their C of C to authorise activities between now and March?
Nothing here yet.
But comms are usually the slowest here.
Last I checked, NYA guidance is teir 4 = red, so no F2F. That’s 75% of England at least.
I must admit i was expecting an all points email from comdt today, briefing the RAFAC position.
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