overlooked

[Aftermath]

First aid is so important without it you and your loved ones could die. So who is really prepared in that sense? First aid in your BOB? Firstaid at your BOL?

[Diesel]

You know I think everyone can scrounge up basic first aid stuff which is usually useless and designed for cuts and scrapes (who cares)

The important stuff is learning how to suture, properly imobilize breaks, how to treat infections, etc Most of which I need to learn myself...

What would be a bit closer to what we would REALLY need if the SHTF, is there a basic EMT pack that contains most of this stuff?

[kaya_kismet]

I agree about building your own. That's what I did. The most important thing is to have a minimum of first responder level knowledge. It's worth the training $ (though i got mine through a job). Invest. Great WFR courses are available everywhere, and once you learn, you can teach the rest of your family. :-)

[TheUnboundOne]

Overlooked

Dear Forum Members,

I have first aid kits in my auto BOB and in my kitchen, which I always supplement with purchases of additional supplies. Also included with these are copies of The Family Emergency Handbook and Dr. Heimlich's Home Guide to Emergency Medical Situations.

I also have copies of Where There Is No Doctor and Where There Is No Dentist a kitchen flip-chart First Aid Guide, and a pack of Survival Playing Cards that includes First Aid information.

One day, I hope to take a formal course in First Aid, so that I hopefully wouldn't have to fumble with these books and cards in an emergency, but I have remained calm in past emergency situations, so I think I could again if I had to do so.

[TheUnboundOne]

Dear Diesel,

To address one of your threads, the first aid information I've seen has it that you can improvise splints with pieces of wood or sticks, and tie them together with rope or knotted cloth. Wood, sticks, and cloth can also make an improvised stretcher.

Of course, also, in the event of fractures, it's best to keep the person still until emergency help arrives, unless there is a greater threat to life and limb in keeping the person still. And when doing any emergency moving, the neck, back, and fractured limb have to be kept as straight and still as possible.

Many infections can be prevented by frequent handwashing and sanitizing, but you'd be surprised how few people do that when they go to the restroom. I've even seen pharmacists leave bathrooms without washing. Ugh!

[das]

Down here in Texas I am also a big believer of avoiding heatstroke so I am constantly looking for new ways to improve my knowledge of First Aid. Kudo's to cleanliness as a preventative but in a prolonged emergency with lack of potable water it will take a community effort to prevent disease and bacteria contamination.

[forever_frost]

You know, in the field, we had a guy need stitches. We just took his sewing kit and did it ourselves. If you have to, you can make due with very little. That said, I like my field medic bag

[kenno]

I worked as a 1st Responder evacuating PPL from logging accidents as well as working with cattle on rangelands/ranch work so I have seen crush/ lacerating/puncture and burn injuries. Any of these injuries, depending on severity and location can kill in a matter of minutes.
In the long term any abdominal puncture or deep laceration or burn will prove fatal with-out antibiotics and proper care. Many of the proceedures used on livestock in these situations will work on humans but the human immune system is not as strong as that of, say cattle, nor are PPl used to the pain associated with these proceedures. Alternative methods of mitigating pain is as important as the treatment of the injury, I believe. I have seen livestock helped with asian methods of health care, accupuncture etc and belive that it may be a viable solution for PPl as well, especially in a SHTF situation. Having said all that; If you have an abdominal puncture in a post SHTF situation.....