As a part time EMT I also teach a few courses for the Red Cross. I have brought my son along many times to kids/youth classes, and Scouting sessions to use as a training manikin, so he knows the procedures and has been in more training sessions than most adults. But if he cant get past the fear of blood, I cant see how he could really help, til he gets past that.
I am sure that may have bothered him also. Poor kid knowing what to do, but being unable to move and assist me made him very sad.
And Thomas, what is wrong with accepting an opportunity to get more unusual steels to use. I was already cut, and I cant reuse stitches. These staples may be can-welded into a mosaic at Stans Hammer in :D