Disaster Prep Wednesday: Get First Aid Training

There is no more hopeless feeling in a disaster than not knowing what to do when someone you love is injured, perhaps in a life threatening way.

While it would be nice to suggest that we all become trained EMTs, the reality is that a good start is to become trained in basic first aid.

You can start at minimal cost (and sometimes for free) by checking out the American Red Cross basic First Aid course

Learn how to provide immediate care in cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies until advanced medical personnel arrive.

Encourage your employer to get the training for all hands at your work place.

Have first aid kits in your home and in all of your cars. Take one with you when out on adventures.

Also, these might be useful (especially the last one):

1. First Aid, Health and Safety for Coaches
2. Pet First Aid
3. Wilderness and Remote First Aid Course:

Designed for scouts and scout leaders, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who works or spends time in remote environments, this course teaches advanced skills to be used in emergencies when help from professional first responders may be far away. Based on the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid Curriculum and Doctrine Guidelines, this course aligns with OSHA’s Best Practices for Workplace First Aid Training Programs.

Prerequisites: Must be at least 14 years old and hold current adult CPR/AED certification.

2 year certification

Digital certificate available upon successful completion of course

Course length: 16 hours

Topics include:

Primary and Secondary Assessments
Head/Brain, Neck and Spinal Injuries
Heat-Related Emergencies
Hypothermia
Altitude-Related Illnesses

Go on, get moving. You may never need the training, but if you ever do, you be very glad you had it.