Chirurgeons and condoms

[Vicki Marsh]

Thank you Aquilane for your comments regarding the Chirurgeons pack.

As the previous Kingdom Chirurgeon, I privately encouraged all chirurgeons to stock condoms as a courtesy..But not publicly due to pressure from above (i.e. one of the Crowns disapproved).

I would like to bring up the fact that almost all the warranted chirurgeons pay for their own training and certification, as well as stock and re-stock their own kits.  They do this in an effort to help others, out of the kindness of their hearts, and with **very** little recognition.  Chirurgeons often take care of problems at events that no one ever hears about, due to privacy issues.  They work hard to keep the SCA a fun and safe place to be.

To stock a small kit can be expensive.  Some chirurgeons choose not to stock anything but trauma care supplies and others pack everything but the kitchen sink.  It is an individual choice.

As there are individuals in the SCA that are HIV-positive, and we have lost some good friends to this horrible plague, it is in our own best interests to do what we can to prevent the spread of this disease just as much as to prevent salmonella, heat-stroke, and hypothermia, among others.  Chirurgeons are trained to use as many preventative techniques as possible, including latex gloves, alcohol gel for the hands, and proper waste handling. To carry a few condoms is a preventative measure as well.

Thank you for letting me address this issue,

Baroness Zara Zina Theanos

"Go Byzantine."
"Keep your kids off artificial colors."
"Life is Good in Elfsea."