advanced first aid training.
Posted by BladesOfPurpose@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 31 comments
How many of you focus on first aid training as part of your preps? I'm surprised by the number of people that have never done any sort of training. But when you think about it, it is the most likely skill any of us will ever need. If you maintain your first aid training, to what level? And through which agency?
Frequent_Werewolf541@reddit
I came across a fanastic fist aid traning course for the workplace in London by a compnay called Good Egg Medical. The trainer was full of energy made it very engaging
Additional_Insect_44@reddit
In the service I did.
Still have my ifak material but most of its in a baggie.
VXMerlinXV@reddit
So I don’t really count, I’ve got a nursing and medic background. But bare minimum, CPR, Stop the bleed, community first aid, and wilderness first aid is my go-to recommendation for lay providers. Even without a disaster, medical emergencies are relatively commonplace.
BladesOfPurpose@reddit (OP)
I don't want to say most preppers, but many are focused on SHTF TEOTWAWKI scenarios.
The reality is shit can go wrong anywhere, any time.
First aid training and supplies should be a priority. It's also the easiest to learn and prep for, but ends up being to first to be ignored.
VXMerlinXV@reddit
If you want to get to the next level of care provision, volunteering as an EMT even twice a month will put you on a whole different scale of capability.
BladesOfPurpose@reddit (OP)
I was in the SES (State Emergency Service) for a while. We were first call for road accidents and flood rescue.
VXMerlinXV@reddit
That’s awesome. Great learning opportunity plus you’re stepping up to help your community.
BladesOfPurpose@reddit (OP)
It's very much community based. All volunteers, all works of life.
It's why I see prepping as a way of supporting my family and surrounding community.
ResponsibleBank1387@reddit
How bad is it? Triage and really determine who is a lost cause and waste of resources. Tough decisions will have to be made.
Resident_Channel_869@reddit
Stop the bleeding, start the breathing, protect the wound and treat for shock.
Patient-War-4964@reddit
CPR class every couple years should be every one’s main priority. You can save someone’s life now, long before doomsday. I’m an ICU nurse and it is shocking to me how few people in public know CPR.
Followed by basic first aid. Both of these classes can be learned in an afternoon at your local fire department or public library for not much money. I took my first CPR and first aid class as a teenager because I wanted to have those certifications for my babysitting resume. More adults need to learn CPR and basic first aid.
Buy_hold_WS_will@reddit
I’m going to do this. I’m 60 and never learned. Not good.
BladesOfPurpose@reddit (OP)
You understand my point. Prepping is about being prepared. It doesn't have to be Armageddon for skills to be required. It isn't hard to learn skills that will keep someone alive.
Inner-Confidence99@reddit
I have a bleeding disorder so I have a lot of gauze, stop bleed, hemostats, tape, alcohol, scalpels etc. what’s funny I had all this before being diagnosed with bleeding disorder.
Edhin_OShea@reddit
I have wondered similarly. As a former CNA, EMT, Hospice Caregiver, and such, I have a breath of skills. Yet I puzzle over those who don't at least read up on and practice first-aid. Do they even have a basic kit.
Basic First Aide kit: Supplies from the grocery store boo-boo isle.
Advanced First-Aid kit: All of basic f.a. kit, plus basic durable goods: wrist blood pressure device. O2 sensor (sorry, tired, name elludes me), Sling, splint, EMT scissors, steri-strips, glucose meter and supplies if used, inhaler, gloves, CPR - AED training, knowledge on use of EPI pen.
Recognizing S&S of heat exhaustion/stroke, seizure, fainting, heart attack, anaphylaxis, etc.
Advanced+ kit: All of basic and advanced plus: manual BP cuff & stethoscope, equipment and practice experience doing stitches. How to insert a needle for hydration.
It has been decades since I last practiced some of these skills. Having made this list has made me realize that I too.need to brush up on some of my skills.
Inner-Confidence99@reddit
I have all of the above
Ok-Rate-8858@reddit
Yep. It's important. And tradeable. Barter. If you know medicine, you'll be one of the last to go hungry.
yubathetuba@reddit
I look at it this way. Let's say I have 100 units of training time for my preps. I would only devote probably 10 to medical. 30 for food gathering and prep, 30 for general fixing stuff, 30 for logistics (comms, navigation, camping skills, etc.) These numbers are off the cuff but what I'm getting at is I think medical gets an outsized place in our psychology. The type of injury you are likely to get is pretty obvious how to fix, and if it isn't then it's probably beyond what training might help with. Spend 8 of your 10 medical units learning diseases and poisons, 2 on trauma. You will be hungry, thirsty, cold, lost, break something every day. If you are careful, you might never need medical. Full disclosure, I spent 20 years in Alaska, then 10 years as a paramedic in Atlanta, then went to PA school and now do orthopedics during the day and trauma call at night so maybe my view is biased.
BallsOutKrunked@reddit
I'm an emt (w and b), it's pretty helpful in emergencies. WFR is a great training I'd recommend for anyone.
The stuff really isn't that hard, you just need to give a shit, study, learn, and practice.
StolenCamaro@reddit
Most workplaces allow opportunity to join a safety team and get free training for true first aid situations. If not, plenty of resources on YouTube for any and all of the scenarios you need to be prepared for.
This is a big miss for a lot of peppers, and most people in general. If you really want to get hardcore, learn to stitch yourself properly (including disinfecting and staying as clean as possible) and others. Tourniquets too. IPA is invaluable. Learn to clear hematomas too.
So many things, but yes it’s very important.
BladesOfPurpose@reddit (OP)
I know hunters, hikers, and riders that have never done a single first aid course or even have a first aid kit. The ones that do have a first aid kit just buy one of the shelves without even knowing what's in it. It's a real concern.
StolenCamaro@reddit
Yes. The best first aid kits are put together by you. Pay attention to shelf life of the contents too, replenish as needed, and know how to use it. Also make sure it’s in a waterproof container- hopefully that goes without saying.
BladesOfPurpose@reddit (OP)
It SHOULD go without saying... but most people are clueless.
ARG3X@reddit
Many instructors actually show you how to build an IFAK, 1st Aid Kit, etc, when you attend a class.
BladesOfPurpose@reddit (OP)
They do. Unfortunately many people don't attend those classes.
ARG3X@reddit
Best they can do is develop a prepper network and add someone with skills. I’ve been to EMT school, attended TCCC a half dozen times, and was a team medic on a private security detail in Afghanistan. My med preps are seriously over the top and I still have another medic guy in my better prepared friends list.
BladesOfPurpose@reddit (OP)
I was in the State Emergency Services (SES) for a while. My kit is based around road accidents and search and rescue. So I'm a little over the top too, with my snake bite kits ( Australia).
ARG3X@reddit
Page 5 is my field bag. https://catalog.jbccorp.com/?page=9 Plus three more smaller kits, 5 ifaks, 1 for each set of gear, and a Milwaukee Pack Out for the home. The red color is perfect and modular AF.
NorthernPrepz@reddit
This is how i get mine. Plus i get to do 2-3 drills per year including one mass casualty. It’s great practice.
BooshCrafter@reddit
I have my Wilderness First Responder cert and I can't tell you how terrible youtube is for learning medical. It's also deeply concerning reddit has a weird aversion to books when there's FANTASTIC books like "A Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine" by Eric A Weiss MD. That book is one INCREDIBLE prepping resource.
BooshCrafter@reddit
NOLS! Wilderness first aid course is fantastic. At the minimum though, everyone should have their Stop the Bleed certification.
I also recommend reading and practicing from the 68W field medic manual.