Last week, at People Who Move America, NCAC’s annual event honoring outstanding leaders in the trade and transportation industry who exemplify the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law, Trevor Austin spoke about his Scouting experience. We are pleased to share what he said!
“Hello, Everyone! I can’t believe that I’m standing here tonight. Last year at this time, I was still in Cub Scouts, and I didn’t even know if I wanted to continue on to Boy Scouts. Now, look at me!
My name is Trevor Austin and I’m Tenderfoot rank (almost Second Class) in Troop 1657 at First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Patuxent District in the National Capital Area Council. I’m also the Assistant Patrol Leader of my Patrol. We are the Arrows of Fire and WE BRING THE HEAT!
I’ve only been in Scouting for 3 years. I joined Cub Scouts, Pack 1657, as a Bear when I was 8 years old. I only had a vague idea of what Scouting was about at that time, I just wanted to go camping. Now, I’m 11 years old and I crossed over to Boy Scouts in April of this year. Standing here tonight, I can say that in 3 years I’ve learned so much.
On May 21st, I found my grandmother unconscious on the bathroom floor. I made sure she was breathing. I checked her pulse. I checked if she was bleeding. All the while, I kept talking to her, but she didn’t respond. I wanted to freak out, but I knew that I had to get help fast. I didn’t have my phone, but my mom was in the kitchen cooking breakfast at the time. I ran to her. She dropped everything and we called 911.
Afterwards, when I was telling my family and friends about what happened, people kept asking me how I knew what to do and how I stayed so calm. It all happened so fast. I didn’t stop to think about what to do. I just did it. I realized that it was because of my Scout training.
Cub Scouts was mostly fun. We explored, sang silly songs, and we played a lot. We also learned the 3Cs:
1. CHECK the scene
2. CALL for help
3. CARE for the victim, if you can
And there is a 4th C – CALM. You have to stay calm and think.
We drilled it. We rehearsed it. We role played various scenarios. I heard it and said it so many times. I didn’t realize how much I was learning during those games. Even in my first few weeks as a Boy Scout, we reviewed our emergency responses and learned how to administer First Aid, like for a sprained ankle, snake bite, or heat stroke.
When I found my grandmother that morning, all that training kicked in and I was able to do a pretty amazing thing because my grandmother had a stroke. They took her by helicopter to Baltimore for emergency brain surgery to remove a blood clot. The doctors said my quick thinking and actions got her the help she needed in time. And my grandmother is sitting here tonight!
I realize that I’m just at the beginning of my Scouting journey. My goal is to become an Eagle Scout (so you might see me again!). So far, Scouting has been an awesome experience for me. I’ve been camping, fishing, hiking. I learned how to erect a tent, build a fire, and cook on that fire. I learned how to survive in nature with just the resources I have. I’ve learned how to take care of my environment – plants, animals, and people. And I’m still learning skills that I can use in the real world, like saving someone’s life.
Also, Scouting is a brotherhood. I have made friends that I will probably keep for the rest of my life. But more importantly, wherever I go in the world, I’ll be recognized as a Scout because a Scout is:
• Trustworthy
• Loyal
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Courteous
• Kind
• Obedient
• Cheerful
• Thrifty
• Brave
• Clean
• Reverent
Thank you for allowing me to share my story here tonight. I’m sure that you will be hearing from me again!”
His act of heroism was also reported by UM Capital Region Health. Watch the story here:
