One of the many things that people have told me about myself recently is that I am always really prepared. I like to be prepared for just about anything. Whether its simply packing enough socks for a camping trip, or if it is simply taking a small first aid kit on a day-long outing. This has stemmed from my time in the Boy Scouts of America.

No matter where it came from, this is one of the most important concepts a person can learn. As a human, unless you become a first responder, or get a job somewhere where there are emergency situations everyday, you will only be involved in about two to three emergency situations in your entire life. That means that we all have to prepare for those few moments when our skills will be needed.

When I was twelve years old, my dad, my sister and I were in a car accident with our big twelve passenger van. I was young, nevertheless, I felt guilty be a use I couldn’t help the woman in the car in front of us or the young man in front of her. Both had sustained serious injuries, but it took a little bit for an ambulance to get there and help them. Being in that situation caused me to want to be prepared everywhere I go with a first aid kit and my skills to help whoever I can.

In the Boy Scouts, their motto is “be prepared”. That means always, in every situation, without exception. We were told to constantly attend training events, skills workshops, and merit badge classes simply so that we can know what to do in case a medical emergency does happen in our vicinity and we are able to help. I have also been through a countless number of “Realistic First Aid drills”.

These simply simulate a real emergency situation and immerse the younger scouts into that situation, where they were forced to use what ever skills they have to solve the problem. This is simply one of the many methods that the leaders use to train the younger scouts. Now, only five percent of all boy scouts who join a troop will even make it to the rank of Eagle Scout, but that simply means that those ninety-five percenters still have some of the skills that they learned.

I recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, which is huge accomplishment for me, but it also means that my time as a youth in scouting has come to a close. I, however, fully intend to continue to prepare myself for whatever may come, and I encourage you to do the same. Whether you simply buy a first aid kit for your car, or pack extra underwear on your next camping trip, always be prepared.