First Aid

First Aid – There’s a reason why it’s called “first” aid. It has to come first. Threatening injuries have to be stabilized before food and shelter will do any good.

Research has found that most U.S. households are deplorably unprepared to administer first aid. Most households have band aids, some Tylenol, and maybe rubbing alcohol. However, most are lacking in supplies to treat larger wounds like open wounds, burns, or broken bones. Relatively few have CPR training. - - Classes and Careers

This month the theme in our Cub Scout pack is "Be Prepared" with an emphasis on first aid. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the 8-10 year-olds did when tested with first aid questions. Do you know how to treat the following?

o Serious bleeding
o Stopped breathing/Choking
o Internal poisoning
o Heart attack
o Cuts and scratches
o Burns and scalds
o Blisters on the hand and foot
o Tick bites
o Bites and stings of other insects
o Poisonous snakebite
o Nosebleed
o Frostbite
o Sunburn

Bottom Line

If you are not 100% confident with first aid then get some training ASAP. Since Red Cross classes are very expensive one advantage of being a CERT volunteer responder is free training in First Aid and CPR/AED. Other options include - online videos and websites, Scouts, and first aid books.

My favorite book is the American College of Emergency Physicians "First Aid Manual". It has pictures on every page and covers everything.

While books and website are great for review, you really should take a class at least once. Books and web will not test you on tying slings, give feedback on your CPR technique, or hands on with an AED heart stimulator, etc.

UPDATE

See http://chilechews.blogspot.com/2008/10/be-prepared-for-medical-emergencies.html written by someone who attended a Red Cross First Aid class and what was learned.