Personal Safety, Article 3 - First Aid


Let's do a quick review. In the first article, we talked about the need to be aware of our physical surroundings and we outlined some specific things to look for. We said we need to be alert to potential threats and envision potential escape routes. We also said we need to know where things like fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and escape routes are located.

The second article dealt with being a smart thinker. Fraud,identity theft, and ensuring we have adequate insurance coverage were just a few of the things we said we need to think about. So, now we're down to First Aid Training.

This article really deals with quite a bit in the medical realm. It is not our goal to train you in the various medical skills but to provide you with list of resources where you can acquire low cost, professional, competent training.

First Aid Training is the first place to start and a key aspect to enable you to be a survivor if a disaster were to occur. Injuries can range from a minor inconvenience to a life threatening event and knowing how to deal with them could mean the difference between surviving and...well...not.

It takes little imagination to think up the type of injuries people sustain as the result of automobile accidents, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes to name just a few types of disasters. Perhaps you're one of those people that thinks medical care is best left to the professionals. Think back to New Orleans and the aftermath of Katrina with its citizens isolated on roof tops and the city's overwhelmed or closed medical facilites. First Aid was often the only thing available for quite some time.

Although a disaster the scope of Katrina is, thankfully, a rare occurrence. That is precisely the kind of event you need to be prepared for and the countless other every day events where knowing what to do (and what not to do) can often make the difference.

1. First Aid

What is First Aid?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines First Aid as "emergency treatment administered to an injured or sick person before professional medical care is available".

Basic First Aid has three goals. They are:
  • To preserve life
  • To prevent deterioration of a casualty's condition
  • To promote recovery
Since First Aid can be administered over a wide range of conditions (from something like a simple abrasion to multiple trauma injuries), you want to be able to treat the injury, stabalize the casualty for transport to a medical facility or both. The American Red Cross sets the following objectives for their First Aid course:
  • How to recognize and handle an emergency.
  • How to check the scene for safety and a victim for consciousness.
  • When and how to move a victim from a dangerous scene.
  • When to call and how to interact with the emergency medical services (EMS) system.
  • Learn why and how to apply basic precautions to reduce the risk of disease transmission during and after providing care.
  • How to prioritize care for life-threatening injuries or sudden illnesses.
  • How to check a conscious victim for life- and non life-threatening conditions.
  • How to recognize and care for a victim of sudden illness.
  • How to recognize and care for different types of wounds, including burns and bleeding.
  • How to recognize and care for a victim of a heat- or cold-related emergency.
  • How to practice basic precautions to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
  • How to control external bleeding.
  • How to recognize and care for muscle, bone, and joint injuries, including injuries to the head, neck, and back.
There are a number of good, basic first aid courses available. The American Red Cross offers some excellent classes that you can take online or in a class room setting. The Basic First Aid course is only $30 US online. Their web page is:

http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/

You may choose to utilize some of the other online course such as those offered by:
In our opinion, online training does not take the place of classroom training. An onsight instructor is a valuable tool in understanding any new concept. However, we said a simple plan is better than no plan and the same is true with basic First Aid. Understanding the concepts of basic life support and having some capacity to stop bleeding, recognize the symptoms of shock as well as the rest of the basic first aid components is essential. If cost is an issue or if there is no classroom site available near you then an online course would be a welcome substitute.

Don't forget about your local hospital(s). They will very often provide training at reasonable prices. Check with your local hospital about availability and cost.

Red Cross Certification in First Aid lasts for three (3) years with refresher courses available. However, being prepared is more about the knowledge than the certification.

2. CPR

Once you have completed a good basic First Aid course, the next step is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR allows you to respond to the needs of individuals with breathing and cardiac emergencies. Like basic First Aid, there are a number of options in learning this valuable skill. CPR training will very often be offered in conjunction with basic First Aid.

Some resources for CPR training include: There are significant differences between adult and child/infant CPR so plan on completing a class on adult CPR and one on child and infant CPR.

Here are some CPR facts from the American Heart Association:
  • About 75 percent to 80 percent of all sudden cardiac arrests happen at home, so being trained to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can mean the difference between life and death for a loved one.
  • Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double a victim's chance of survival.
  • CPR helps maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain and increases the amount of time that an electric shock from a defibrillator can be effective.
  • Approximately 95 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims die before reaching the hospital.
  • Death from sudden cardiac arrest is not inevitable. If more people knew CPR, more lives could be saved.
  • Brain death starts to occur four to six minutes after someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest if no CPR or defibrillation occurs during that time.
  • If bystander CPR is not provided, a sudden cardiac arrest victim's chances of survival fall 7 percent to 10 percent for every minute of delay until defibrillation. Few attempts at resuscitation are successful if CPR and defibrillation are not provided within minutes of collapse.
  • Coronary heart disease accounts for about 550,000 of the 927,000 adults who die as a result of cardiovascular disease.
  • Approximately 335,000 of all annual adult coronary heart disease deaths in the U.S. are due to sudden cardiac arrest, suffered outside the hospital setting and in hospital emergency departments. About 900 Americans die every day due to sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Sudden cardiac arrest is most often caused by an abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF). Cardiac arrest can also occur after the onset of a heart attack or as a result of electrocution or near-drowning.
  • When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the victim collapses, becomes unresponsive to gentle shaking, stops normal breathing and after two rescue breaths, still isn't breathing normally, coughing or moving.
Red Cross certification is valid for one (1) year. American Heart Association certification is valid for two (2) years.

3. AED Training

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that diagnoses and treats cardiac arrest by reestablishing an effective heart rhythm.

A solid AED training course should include:
  • What defibrillation is and how it works
  • The causes of sudden cardiac arrest
  • The role of CPR in cardiac arrest
  • How to use an AED, including precautions that need to be taken when using an AED
Because they are somewhat cost prohibitive (currently between $1500.00 and $2000.00 US), AEDs are rarely found in the home. However, If you choose to invest in an AED for your business or home don't forget to inform local EMS personnel. They need to know where AEDs are located in your community. This enables the 911 dispatcher to notify your EMS and other first responders (police, for example) that an AED is located on site.

It's also a good idea to discuss the purchase before hand with your EMS office and/or your physician. That will help ensure you are purchasing a reliable unit. Depending on state requirements, you may even need a prescription from you physician to purchase one.

CPR training is necessary prior to the purchase of an AED or AED training (unless CPR and AED training are combined). Once the AED device is attached to the patient, it will monitor him or her and may instruct you to administer CPR. So knowing CPR is a prerequisite to using an AED.

Finally, always follow the manufacturers recommendations concerning storing, care, and maintenance of your AED.

Typically, AED certification lasts for one (1) year.

4. First Responder Training

What is a First Responder?

A certified first responder is a person who has completed forty to sixty hours of training in providing care for medical emergencies. They have more skill than someone who is trained in first aid but are not emergency medical technicians.

First Responder training is NOT required for personal safety but it makes an excellent companion tool to First Aid, CPR and AED because of the additional training you will receive. We also believe the knowledge vs. cost ratio is close enough to warrant consideration. We can make a distinction between first responders and divide them into two categories:
  • Traditional First Responders
    • Those professionals we normally associate with emergency support: Police and Firefighters, for example. First Responder training is the bare minimum these professionals receive and is often mandated training for their position.
  • Non Traditional First Responders
    • Teachers
    • Life Guards
    • Security Guards
    • Commercial pilots and flight attendants
    • You!
According the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the duties of a First Responder include but are not limited to:
  • Opening and maintaining an airway;
  • Ventilating patients;
  • Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
  • Providing emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma such as:
    • Controlling hemorrhage,
    • Bandaging wounds,
    • Manually stabilizing injured extremities.
  • Providing emergency medical care to:
    • Assist in childbirth
    • Manage general medical complaints, altered mental status, seizures,environmental emergencies, behavioral emergencies and psychological crises.
  • Searching for medical identification emblems as a guide to appropriate emergency medical care.
  • Reassuring patients and bystanders by working in a confident, efficient manner.
  • Avoiding mishandling and undue haste while working expeditiously to accomplish the task.
You can download the NHTSA guidelines by clicking here.

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Many colleges and universities offer First Responder training. The cost for these classes is often determined by the school's cost per credit hour but $500-$600 US is not uncommon. In addition, there are a number of professional training organizations that provide First Responder Training.

First Responder Certification varies by state but is typically two (2) years.

A separate but related training course is Wilderness First Responder (WFR). This is a standardardize training program for outdoor professional and enthusiasts and provides training in a non-urban environment where resources are limited and improvisation is often required. Wilderness First Responder is an 80 hour class and is more physically demanding than the First Responder Class outlined above

There are several organizations that offer WFR: Expect the cost of this training to be around $300-$600 US. depending on the organization.

Before we move on to the next step, please remember that you can find many of these classes offered as combination courses. Our local hospital offers First Aid for $25 US. They offer Adult, Infant, and Child CPR and AED Training (as one class) for $35 US. That is a very cost effective approach to training.

Because of its intense focus on non urban survival first aid and the inherent need to understand and learn improvisation, we strongly support Wilderness First Responder training.

WFR certification is usually two (2) or three (3) years depending on the organization doing the training.

5. EMT

What is an EMT?

A Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) is a highly trained emergency responder trained to provide emergency medical services to the critically ill and injured. Many misconstrue the EMT as being the same as a paramedic and that is not the case. Well, sort of. The EMT classification consists of different levels corresponding with the level of training received. Only an EMT 4 is considered a paramedic.

EMT training is also an option to personal safety but certainly better prepares you from a medical perspective. Requirements for certification vary from state to state so you will need to check locally with your state department of public health, state department of human services or your local hospital.

Our local hospital offers an EMT class for $650 US.

6. First Aid Kit

The final component of First Aid I is a first aid kit. We believe you actually need three (3) separate first aid kits.
  • For you home or business
  • For your car or truck
  • For travel on business
First aid kits should be stocked according to localized needs. For example, a first aid kit along the coast might include medication for seasickness; not as likely a need further inland.

We should also discuss some forklore items that should NOT be included in a first aid kit.
  • Hodrogen Peroxide. Soap and water are just as effective and don't injure skin cells like hydrogen peroxide does.
  • Tincture of Iodine. A staple of medicine chests for years, tincture of iodine is poisonous. It inflames mucous membranes and can be absorbed through wounds.
  • Merthiolate - Brand name of Thiomersal. An organomercury compound, which is a very toxic compound and harmful by inhalation and ingestion. Thiomersal is also dangerous for the environment.
There are plenty of excellent options to replace the items listed above so avoid the temptation to use them.

The Home First Aid Kit:

Just a couple of notes about the contents of your first aid kits:
  • Remember to always follow the same precautions for medicines in your First Aid Kit as with any medicine.
  • Check with your physician to ensure there will be no adverse drug interactions with any medications you might already be taking.
  • Keep these and all medications away from children - always use child proof safety caps
  • Check the contents of your first aid kits every six months and destroy any medications that have expired.
There are any number of pre-packaged first aid kits on the market. Most are quite good if not somewhat expensive. We like the Army M-3 Medic kit. Fully stocked, you can purchase it for $50 US on most web sites. It's compact and has most of the items listed below. The M17 Medic bag is much larger but, fully stocked, will cost about $190 US. You can also build your own if you wish, just make certain you include the following items.

Home First Aid Kit Essentials:
  • 1 Strong carrying case. We like the Army M3 Medic bag.
  • 2 pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex)
  • 1 CPR Mask
  • 10 individual acetaminophen or ibuprofen tablets
  • 10 antihistamine tablets (benadryl for example) (antihistimines, particularly first generation, may cause drowsiness)
  • 1 small bottle of cleansing agent/soap (Betadine is a good cleansing agent)
  • 10 antibiotic towelettes to disinfect. (antiseptic wipes can also be used to sterilize hands, tweezers, scissors, and thermometer)
  • 1 tube of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.(Neosporin is a good all-around ointment)
  • 4 sterile dressings to stop bleeding.(sanitary knapkins are a good emergency substitute but are not sterile)
  • 2 Triangular bandages
  • 1 package of adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
  • 1 ea. bandage closures (one-fourth and one-inch sizes) to tape edges of minor cuts (Steri-strips™ by 3M is a good choice)
  • 4 nonstick sterile Pads: these are soft, superabsorbent pads that provide a good environment for wound healing. These are recommended for bleeding and draining wounds, burns, infections
  • 1 tube of hydrocortisone cream
  • 1 Elastic wrap to wrap wrist, ankle, knee or elbow injuries
  • 1 each gauze in rolls of two-inch and four-inch pads.(For larger cuts and scrapes)
  • 1 roll of medical adhesive tape
  • 4 medium sized safety pins (to fasten bandages)
  • 1 bottle of eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
  • 1 thermometer and case
  • 1 small magnifying glass
  • 1 ice pack (disposable, instant activating) Even ice cubes in a zip lock bag can be used at home
  • 1 scissors with rounded tips
  • 1 Sharps general sewing needle size 6 (nothing is better for removing splinters! Be certain to sterilize!)
  • 1 Tweezers
  • 1 penlight and extra batteries
  • 4 tongue depressor blades (can be used for finger or hand splint)
  • 1 Tube of petroleum or KY jelly or other lubricant
  • 1 stethoscope
  • 1 blood pressure cuff
  • 1 container of dental floss (nearly as strong as steel and can be used as for tieing)
  • As prescribed - prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
  • As prescribed - prescribed medical equipment such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies or perhaps a nebulizer machine.
It's also a good idea to have syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal on hand for situations involving poisons. However, neither should be administered unless told to do so by the Poison Control Center. The same rule applies for water and milk.

The home First Aid Kit should be easily accessible and everyone in the family should know where it is located. That probably sounds intuitive but it truly is not. Make certain they know where it is and what it contains.

The Home First Aid Kit will also be used as your part of your bug out kit (we'll talk about that much later) so don't be shocked when we tell you ours also contains a minor surgical kit (also known as a field surgical kit), sutures, and suture needles.

A minor surgical kit contains:
  • 1 heavy canvas, trifold pouch.
  • 1 hemostat
  • 1 forceps
  • 1 scalpel handle and blades
  • 1 probe
  • 1 penlight
  • 1 SB scissors
  • 1 needle holder
  • 1 pick
  • 1 prep pads
  • 1 set of sterile sutures
  • 2 sterile curved suture needles
The items in the surgical kit do not duplicate what is in the First Aid Kit. For example, you only need one pair of blunt point scissors, one penlight, etc.

We don't plan on doing brain surgery but we do find value in the items contained in the surgical kit. If you find yourself alone and injured after a tornado or earthquake, the hemostat might provide a handy second hand to hold a bandage while you tie it. You might also use the scalpel to cut strips of cloth for additional bandages. You might also find a need to use the kit for what it was intended if injuries are severe enough.

Car or Truck First Aid Kit:
  • 1 Strong carrying case or plastic box
  • 2 pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex)
  • 1 CPR Mask
  • 4 individual acetaminophen or ibuprofen tablets
  • 4 antihistamine tablets (benadryl for example) (antihistimines, particularly first generation, may cause drowsiness)
  • 1 small bottle of cleansing agent/soap (Betadine is a good cleansing agent)
  • 4 antibiotic towelettes to disinfect. (antiseptic wipes can also be used to sterilize hands, tweezers, scissors, and thermometer)
  • 1 tube of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.(Neosporin is a good all-around ointment)
  • 4 sterile dressings to stop bleeding.(sanitary napkins are a good emergency substitute but are not sterile)
  • 1 Triangular bandages
  • 1 package of adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
  • 1 ea. bandage closures (one-fourth and one-inch sizes) to tape edges of minor cuts (Steri-strips by 3M is a good choice)
  • 1 tube of hydrocortisone cream
  • 1 Elastic wrap to wrap wrist, ankle, knee or elbow injuries
  • 1 each gauze in rolls of two-inch and four-inch pads.(For larger cuts and scrapes)
  • 1 roll of medical adhesive tape
  • 4 medium sized safety pins (to fasten bandages)
  • 1 bottle of eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
  • 1 small magnifying glass
  • 1 ice pack (disposable, instant activating) Even ice cubes in a zip lock bag can be used at home
  • 1 scissors with rounded tips
  • 1 Sharps general sewing needle size 6
  • 1 Tweezers
  • 1 penlight and extra batteries
  • 4 tongue depressor blades (can be used for finger or hand splint)
  • 1 Tube of petroleum or KY jelly or other lubricant
  • As prescribed - prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
  • As prescribed - prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies or a nebulizer machine.
Travel First Aid Kit:

Since luggage will be inaccessible just prior and during your flight, your travel first aid kit needs to be small enough to fit in carry on luggage.

This kit will be used to deal with those inevitable injuries that occur while you are on the road. It is less of a survival first aid kit than a convenience first aid kit although it does contain some crucial items. You can improvise and use soap and water at the hotel to cleanse a wound. You can use water to flush your eye(s) and you can use ice from the ice machine as a cold pack. Larger bandages have been removed for the sake of room. Again, improvisation is the key.
  • 1 Strong carrying case or plastic box
  • 2 pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex)
  • 1 CPR Mask
  • 4 individual acetaminophen or ibuprofen tablets
  • 4 antihistamine tablets (benadryl for example) (antihistimines, particularly first generation, may cause drowsiness)
  • 4 antibiotic towelettes to disinfect. (antiseptic wipes can also be used to sterilize hands, tweezers, scissors, and thermometer)
  • 1 tube of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.(Neosporin is a good all-around ointment)
  • 1 package of adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
  • 1 ea. bandage closures (one-fourth and one-inch sizes) to tape edges of minor cuts (Steri-strips by 3M is a good choice)
  • 1 tube of hydrocortisone cream
  • 1 roll of two-inch gauze
  • 1 roll of medical adhesive tape
  • 4 medium sized safety pins (to fasten bandages)
  • 1 small magnifying glass
  • 1 scissors with rounded tips
  • 1 Sharps general sewing needle size 6
  • 1 Tweezers
  • 1 penlight and extra batteries
  • 4 tongue depressor blades (can be used for finger or hand splint)
  • 1 Tube of petroleum or KY jelly or other lubricant
  • As prescribed - prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
  • As prescribed - prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies or a nebulizer machine.
We have finally come to the end of another Step. We covered a lot of information, however, all of it is important and as you start to think about the kinds of potential disasters you are faced with on a daily basis, you begin to realize how important this information really is!

You, no doubt, noticed the cost of protection increased in this section. As we said earlier, the more secure you want to be the more it will cost you. We don't think anything in the required training portion is prohibitive. First Aid, CPR, and AED are relatively inexpensive classes. Just remember to look for a class that combines the items to save you money

As for the first aid kits, if you can't afford all of it at once just use the list to check off the items as you purchase them. You will be working toward a goal and each time you add an item you better position yourself to be a survivor.

Self Defense is the next Step in Personal Safety. If you are ready, click here.





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