Preparing for the survival in urban areas, and where I've been the last few weeks.

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Sep 24, 2006
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Hey guys,

So, It was about time I got back on the forums, I've been incredible busy with courses I've been taking, and I would like to share some of my experiences with you all, and tell you how I feel it would help any of you. Also, man you guys can post alot in a week!:D

So, first off:

I've been taking first aid, confined rescue and self defense courses that local PD and correction officers provide. I've really broadened my views on what I feel I should know in case of disaster, and various situations that could occur in an urban environment.

I would highly recommend these type of courses to anyone wanting to know a little more, its easy to go out in the woods and practice many of the survival skills we would all like to know. But being able to practice first aid and knowing what to do it an attacker pops up in an unwanted situation is a hard thing to work on, but there are many courses out there that can help with that.

I guess Im just saying that I certainly suggest any of you who can, should take these style of courses. Its also nice for people in a new area to get out and meet some people who share the same Ideas as you.

Do you feel that your a little under gunned for things that could happen?

How about if you find a car crashed on the side of the road, no one around and the person needs medical attention, can you help them?

It was questions like this that I was asking my self, and not knowing the answer to that made me want to know. Being able to handle situations like that is what makes you stand out amongst the crowd, being able to help when no one else is around.

The self defense course was more of a work related thing, but im still glad I went. I do night time steet out reach for a local youth emergency shelter, we give out supplies to local homeless and youth. Lately there has been a rise in confrontation and the need for more training has arisen.

I was taught SSR (Self Sufficient Restraint) and EST (Emergency Security Tactics)
Both of these are more designed for self reliant defensive styles, To to subdue the person for either you to get away, or for the subject to be subdued untill back-up or help arrives. In the end, no matter what you are taught, the out come of self defense is going to be for you to get away, that last thing you want to be caught up in is a lawsuit against you for going above and beyond what was needed, which is common in canada.

So, other than that the confined rescue was more common sense stuff, not putting you self in more risk then needed, Emergency medical procedures and things of that nature.

Thanks for reading guys.
 
Last Dec I took Wilderness First Aid which was an amazing course and although quite demanding physically and mentally, I did feel that it prepared me for medical emergencies well beyond my past experience in basic first aid and CPR. Self defense isn't really a big worry for me.
 
Please outline if you don't mind what you took, and where if possible. If not then off line. Very curious what courses you took and from whom. What you thought of each one specifically.
 
Quirt said:
Please outline if you don't mind what you took, and where if possible. If not then off line. Very curious what courses you took and from whom. What you thought of each one specifically.
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I took my courses at a few diffrerent places.

First the self defense was at a local youth corrections facility, the First aid was taken at a local firstaid center( St.Johns ambulance) and the confined rescue was offered at the local collage.
 
You're local Red Cross will have all the first aid courses you want to take. They may also be a reference for other disaster training in your area.

Many times, the local state or county parks will have outdoor classes on outdoor emergencys.
 
In my urban kits, a rip type hammer or stanley fubar makes a lot more sense than a hatchet. Think of all the things you have to pry with in an urban environment compared to the woods.
 
I joined the local CERT ( Citizen Emergency Response Team), they teach you first aid, disaster first responder, basic wilderness survival for search and rescue, ham radio operation, fire saftey, and basic crisis management and all this for free. I suggest you guys to check out your local CERTs.
 
our local CERTs and SAR units in "metro vancouver" are a very elitist, CLOSED community. They dissuade community resident involvement in spades. When something happens, god forbid you are in a rival occupation like firefighting, there is a lot of bickering of who GETS to respond, jurisdiction etc. Used to be that the local mountaineering community would all band together , develop camaraderie thru training and rescues and help out those that needed help. Now its a "you need to know someone" to get in, even to be a volunteer.
I was completely disgusted by the attitude and responses i got when I enquired. I could go on with details but since this is a family forum i'll refrain...
 
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Our area CERT has more paperwork than I had to do to get into the Navy AND get an SBI. Invasive and ridiculous. ARES isn't so bad, around here it's pretty easy going - i've heard it can get to tin pot generalissimo territory in places.

One resource that's a bit surprising is the local university campus outdoors & recreation group- they don't offer real civil disaster prep, but do offer a full range of first aid, wilderness emergency and EMT training.

In terms of preparation, we're starting to retool YET AGAIN as the kids are getting older and jessica gets further through nursing school. We have 3 licensed hams in the household, plus CBs for linkiing up if need be. One soon-to-be RN and while I should update myself i've been through a fair number of first aid and survival courses. I think everyone is current on CPR and a couple of us are current on RC first aid.
 
koyote said:
Our area CERT has more paperwork than I had to do to get into the Navy AND get an SBI. Invasive and ridiculous. ARES isn't so bad, around here it's pretty easy going - i've heard it can get to tin pot generalissimo territory in places.

One resource that's a bit surprising is the local university campus outdoors & recreation group- they don't offer real civil disaster prep, but do offer a full range of first aid, wilderness emergency and EMT training.

In terms of preparation, we're starting to retool YET AGAIN as the kids are getting older and jessica gets further through nursing school. We have 3 licensed hams in the household, plus CBs for linkiing up if need be. One soon-to-be RN and while I should update myself i've been through a fair number of first aid and survival courses. I think everyone is current on CPR and a couple of us are current on RC first aid.
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Thats good to hear, It does take some time out of your life, and money for that matter, but its the best thing I can think of to use time and money on.:thumbup:
 
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