Learning First Aid for major in-the-field trauma?

[yak23flora]

Minibear464 posted about blood clotting agents in the gear and gadgets sub forum that reminded me about gunshot wounds and major trauma while in the field.

I've been looking at the quick clot pads to keep in my first aid kit for traumatic wounds like a deflected Khukuri to the thigh or a gunshot from negligent discharge at the range and such (yeah, both negligent, but both happen in real life). What I really need, however, are some good resources from which to learn about field trauma first aid that will keep a fella warm until professional help can arrive. I've got a bit of camping-type first aid experience, an RN for a wife, and have helped on a field amputation while assisting a corpsman, but never had to be the primary responder for self or others when it was all up to me and my little camp first aid kit or truck kit.

Surely there is a book, DVD, vids online, whatever, that teach first response to field trauma?

 

[fmajor007]

Google this:

Wilderness First Responder

I can tell you personally that while you can watch vids (YouTube/DVD/etc)and/or read books about 1st Aid/Trauma Care there is absolutely *nothing* like a hands-on course. It really is pretty important to develop muscle-memory combined with head-knowledge to be able to manage on-scene, 1st-responder trauma situations. Physically checking someones leg for broken bones with your hands and knowing how it actually feels - versus seeing it on a YouTube vid is an obviously very different learning depth.

Since your wife is a nurse, i'd bet she could be an exceptional help in this - she's a medical professional!!!! Even if she is in an administrative role she would certainly have access to training materials and such. I bet you could "audit" one of her "Continuing Education/Annual Re-Certification" courses for next to nothing if you explained that you weren't needing the certificate - it never hurts to ask...

 

[fmajor007]

As a side note, i've been the on-site 1st responder on many, many trauma's (car accidents, dangerous falls, hypothermia/exposure, etc) and what i learned in the courses i've had (even though my certifications had officially expired) has really helped others. I'm not a medical-field professional, but have worked as a LEO and served as a soldier and maintained/expanded what i learned for just such emergencies.

Courses offer more than simple information and data assimilation; Rather, they offer hands-on training that instills confidence. Experiences affirm and grow that confidence as well as illustrate how much there is to know in medicine - it's really astounding and overwhelming - and personally, that i'm not smart enough to be a full-on doctor!

Your wife, i bet, will be an invaluable asset for you in this. In fact, her assistance (as she realizes your need for medical knowledge and *GEAR*) may help in new acquisitions!!!

 

[ROCK6]

fmajor007 is pointing you in the right direciton. After just going through combat life-saver certifcation for the thrid time in the past 5 years, a lot of things continue to evolve and change. Unless you can work your way into a LEO class, you may have to look for courses offered to LE/Mil crowds as well as civilians. I know there are several out there, but finding them will be contingent on your area. That Wilderness First Responder will cover 90% of the most likely injuries, but I'm not sure if they touch on gunshot wounds.

ROCK6

 

[MarkCid84]

The American Red Cross has a pretty good Wilderness/Remote First Aid program. It does not cover the clotting agent mentioned by OP, but is a detailed program that covers a lot of likely scenarios. I might be kinda biased... I am an Instructor Trainer in the subject.

 

[yak23flora]

Thanks for that info, good replies. I should have been more clear, my wife was an RN but now works at home as a mom. She has valuable knowledge, but its been 15 years since she worked in wound care management. She worked some real nasty wounds by the way, so she has good knowledge on the healing process, but not the first response. I know a hands on course would be best, and I plan to look for that angle. I was hoping a book or guide would be a primer or a handy guide which would serve as a better that nuthin' until I can get some hands on training. The American Red Cross program sounds pretty good. Also, at the home school conventions here there is a medical training and trauma training program that I see every year, just never took the time to talk to the guy, guess I need to do that!

Thanks!

 

[Brad "the butcher"]

ST John's Ambulance has a really good 3 day outdoor first aid course up here.

First day classroom lectures, notes, video's and hands on application of bandaids, gauze and the basics of ABC's, as well as showing how to make bandages and wraps from cutting clothing and using pack frames for splints etc.

The next 2 days, 6hrs are spent up in the mountains in rough angled terrain. In groups everyone takes turns being casualties in different scenarios and with basic hiking gear and first aid have to render aid as well as improvising stretchers and actually carrying people up to 200ft and up hills etc. You actually learn more as a casualty and give critic to the responders like moving or bending on a stretcher when your supposed to be immobilised. You will work up a sweat, strain and really learn. One of the guys was 6"2 and close to 300 lbs and the instructor made sure we had to move him up hills and at distance to teach group coordination and the realities of pain, discomfort and the risk of injury while providing aid and rescue.

It was after taking this course that I had interest and became a level III OFA for 8yrs.

I highly recommend this or a similar program to everyone with outdoor interests.