Are you ready to help?
In the survival community, we spend a lot of time talking about what equipment you need and what supplies you should stockpile. We also spend a fair amount of time talking about the most important asset anyone can bring to the proverbial table, skills, and knowledge. Through many exercises and practice scenarios, we come to find that a common weakness in the skill department is first aid and especially advanced first aid. In an austere environment, even the smallest injury can spell disaster if not properly attended.
In a recent CERT training session, I was fortunate to spend the evenings’ exercise with a physician. She has years of experience responding to emergencies in less than ideal environments. During the course of the exercise, I discovered that the vast majority of responders she has dealt with have little or no training in first aid. Something seemingly as simple as taking a pulse, doing an injury assessment, or recognizing the signs of shock. Let alone how to properly attend to any potential injuries.
What can you do?
I have to be honest, this concerns me. If I am in an accident and require the assistance of another, I really want them to know how to help me. With that said, then doesn’t it become my responsibility to be sure that when someone needs my help, that I know how to help them? Of course, we can’t all be paramedics or trauma nurses. But we can take the initiative to learn some essential first aid skills. Skills that could potentially be the difference between life and death for someone in need.
We encourage everyone to seek professional first aid instruction and advanced first aid instruction that focuses on rendering aid in an austere environment. Most Wilderness First Aid courses will fit the bill. This type of instruction will empower you to effectively deal with most injuries when emergency services are not readily available. Make yourself an asset to your community.
As Alway,
Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared
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