[Ansteorra] From the Chirurgeon to the Populace

[Patricia Schmidt]

Kind Friends,

(Please pardon me if this is a re-post).  For those of you who will be
attending the Great Pennsic Wars this season, this missive comes to us from
HL Diedru ingen Mhurchadha who will be in charge of the First Aid Point at
Pennsic this season:

YIS,
 Jalali of Salamis, OL  

-----Original Message-----

Greetings from the Chirurgeon in Charge of First Aid Point
at this year's Pennsic War 38.

First, Who am I?
I am The Honorable Lady Deirdru ingen Mhurchadha (Better known as 
Deirdre Macmorcat. Mundanely I am known as Dianne Benedict BSN, RN, MSN, 
CNM, APRN. I was second in command chirurgeon for one Pennsic War, 
chirurgeon in charge or general help for other events, ranging from 
local to inter-kingdom size, a deputy Troll for two Pennsics, have 
worked as security many times, as well as experience as security 
dispatch, and have been a Marshal for all levels of activities (heavy 
Fighting only). I have been in the SCA for 19 years as of this coming 
war. I am familiar and comfortable with most of the aspects of SCA and 
Pennsic culture.

Second, what to expect from the Chirurgeons and first Aid point?
As many Pennsic attendees know, First Aid care as provided at Pennsic 
has changed over the years. Pennsic has for many years enlisted the 
assistance of an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provider. Our current 
partner in this endeavor is the Northwest EMS Company. They are a 
fabulous group of professionals who work with Medical coverage from a 
range of Physicians. Often, there is a physician on site during the 
daytime hours. EMS is required by Pennsylvania state law, if attendance 
at Pennsic is at or expected to be over 10,000 people, as it has been 
for ten years. While the chirurgeonate misses the many friends we had 
made over the years on the Portersville EMS squad, a shortage of 
volunteers and increased demands of the regular community have made it 
impossible for Portersville to supply the legally required level of EMS 
coverage that Pennsic must have to continue. Numerous of the Northwest 
EMS personnel are veterans of Pennsic from the days when Portersville 
supplied the EMS coverage, and even ran the Tavern in the Food Court.
This care is provided in conjunction with the traditional Chirurgeon 
care. While the exterior presentation of that care has changed as the 
SCA grows and changes, the care provided has not fundamentally changed. 
This year we expect that our standards of excellence will continue with 
a joint venture. The Chirurgeons will be present during the times of 8am 
to 8pm starting Land grab weekend and NWEMS will be there 24/7 while 
Pennsic is open. The hours of SCA chirurgeon care may change as 
volunteers arrive and if patient needs rise for any reason.

Third, what will do or can we do?
As always the chirurgeonate is here to assist with first aid care. This 
could be a band aid, warm drink on a cold day, cool shade on a hot day, 
or any multitude of things. We are here to assist you to get the care 
you want or need. If it is beyond our level of care NWEMS is there to 
provide more advanced care and/or transport to the local hospital. 
Because of the possibility of serious injury during battles at Pennsic 
NWEMS will continue to handle battle injuries on the field this year.
Finally, the Pennsic Chirurgeon Senior staff includes Master Robin 
Gallowglass O.P., Mistress Fia Kareman O.P., East Kingdom Chirurgeon, 
Master Brusten de Bearsul, O.P., O.L, and Dominus Galefridus Peregrinus. 
We look forward to serving you this year and welcome those who wish to 
volunteer their services. If you are currently warranted as a chirurgeon 
please ensure your certifications and memberships are up to date for war 
and bring a copy with you. If you are not yet a chirurgeon but wish to 
be, please consider making sure you have a valid CPR & First aid card, 
along with a current membership in the SCA, and proof of being 18 years 
of age or older. If you can start the chirurgeon in training prior to 
war with your home kingdom it will make registering to volunteer at 
Pennsic easier as you should be on your home kingdom roster as well. 
(You will still need to bring your cards or have sent me a copy prior to 
Pennsic.)
AS always, play smart, plan ahead, bring plenty of any current 
medications you need, and drink plenty of water. While we welcome you to 
stop by First aid Point, we prefer a social call over business.

See you at war!
Deirdru