Recently I was tasked with putting on a first aid program. I got tasked with this because I have pursued advanced first aid training (Wilderness and Trauma) on my own. One of the issues that got brought up was tourniquets. For those that don't know you can throw out what you were taught in the past. Tourniquets are a vital tool when dealing with major trauma involving a massive bleed in an extremity. No the victim won't lose their limb. Yes you are more likely to save a life than wasting precious moments with a pressure dressing. Anyways, trying to get that through peoples heads is a nightmare for me, even when I relate the information from the Boston Bombing. Hell if I had known this a few years ago I might have been able to save a life at that accident. So this got me to thinking. What is everyone's skill set when it comes to first aid? When was the last time you took any sort of first aid training? How much of a trauma could you address? A boo-boo, broken limb, gun shot wound? Have you ever trained with an AED? What about CPR? Are you up to date on the latest standards? Do you even see a reason to get any additional training? Next up do you have access to a first aid or trauma kit? Ever since that accident I now carry a fully stocked trauma bag, whose contents are commensurate with my training, in my vehicle. When camping, fishing, or hunting I always carry an individual first aid kit. What about your home? What do you have on hand? If you have some supplies, where did you get them from? Online? Pharmacy (Chemists for the Brits)? Walmart? Stole them from a Fire Department?
I used to go to CPR class because I worked in electronics (shock hazard) in The Army, but it's expired. Plus the constant first aid training all soldiers got constantly. My son is a Combat Medic and he gave me the scoop on tourniquets, and even put one on my leg. The pain is EXCRUTIATING BTW! :nuts:
This is something I need to work on. I knew the new info on tourniquets, having read many articles about lives saved in Iraq and Afghanistan. But my training is pretty much limited to Heimlich and CPR, and in each case, it's out of date. I have the crutch of being less than a mile from a good regional hospital, and only about 2 miles from two top tier major trauma centers. This does not excuse my lack of skills, though. What do you recommend, beyond re-training on CPR and a basic first aid course?
Thats the thing about about tourniquets. If the victim isnt pitching or screaming about the pain of the it, you haven't done it well enough. The thing is you do have to do it that tight to stop the bleed. As for additional training, Well first of all there is getting re-certified in CPR and 1st aid. Then look in your area for a and advanced 1st aid course or wilderness 1st aid course. A wilderness 1st aid course will cover many of the same things as in my active shooter / trauma 1st aid course.
Where and how I acquired the contents of my kits are none of your business. As to what's in the them: Israeli Bandages (love those things). SOF tourniquets as well as CAT IV. Asherman Chest Seals. Needle Chest Decompression kits. Nose hoses. Then just some regular gauze, tape, bandages, etc. Used to be a Combat Lifesaver Trainer but that's expired.
Yeah it was a tough choice deciding between the SOFT and CAT brands for my tourniquet, but for me I felt that the CAT world better. If you think that Israeli bandages where great, check out the Olaes brands. As for training it's easy to get recertification again. The problem is that a lot of programs are still teaching pre-TCCC stuff. Alabama is a bright spot. They just changed their Trauma protocols last year to reflect the bleeding edge.
