First Aid

[tedzz9]

Does anyone keep up on first aid certification by taking first aid/cpr/aed classes while on the road? has their ever been basic first aid classes at a rally? Also, how extensive of a first aid kit do you carry? a basic first aid kit or a full trauma bag like I do.



Just a rare thought I had.

Ted

 

[orbiker]

This same discussion was just recently on RV Net.

We have a fairly large first aid kit.

We don't have an AED. We are trained.
We haven't taken a class in 2 or 3 years, but we do know the newest CPR is compression's only.

If you have a favorite camp ground, do you know how close the Fire Department is to the campground?
Do you know where the AED (automated external defibrillator) is located?

Be Safe, KEN

 

[Steve7]

DW and I became ALS certified almost two years ago when we were volunteering for a first responder group in our community. Due to some health issues, I had to discontinue the work. We do have a descent amount of supplies we purchased though that should get us though most circumstances. An AED is something we plan on purchasing...hopefully before it’s needed.

 

[Greene728]

DW and I became ALS certified almost two years ago when we were volunteering for a first responder group in our community. Due to some health issues, I had to discontinue the work. We do have a descent amount of supplies we purchased though that should get us though most circumstances. An AED is something we plan on purchasing...hopefully before it’s needed.

I'm a Paramedic/Firefighter with numerous certifications thanks to work. I also carry a nicely equipped FAK that I've only (fortunately) used Band-Aids out of.

If your considering buying an AED my hats off to you. Not many people would spend that kind of money on one. I do keep tabs on where the fire stations are located, but EMS units are kinda hard to know as they often times aren't stationed like fire houses, and normally aren't as many of them either. Most of our COE parks around here keep an AED at the check in post. But I often wonder how they are kept up and if they even know how to use them as most are volunteers. I'm sure the rangers probably do, but due to budget cuts they are often split between patrolling multiple locations.

Y'all have my curiosity up now! Lol

 

[orbiker]

Y'all have my curiosity up now! Lol

Food for thought. A band-aid or stopping the bleeding is easy. How far away is real help?

Hopefully less then 5 minutes. KEN

There is a 5 minute survival window for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest with the survival depending upon early CPR and having access to an AED within that 5 minute timeframe. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a sudden cessation of cardiac mechanical activity that causes the victim to stop breathing and have no pulse. Annually, almost 400,000 people experience out of hospital cardiac arrest and 9 out of 10 of these victims die. This is more than the number of people who die from AIDS, Alzheimers Disease, breast, prostate and colon cancer, fires, and motor vehicle accidents combined. When bystanders intervene by giving CPR and using AEDs before EMS arrives, 38% survive.

The “Chain of Survival” steps must all occur within 5 minutes:
1.Early Access to get help: Call 911
2.Early CPR to buy time: Begin CPR Compressions Immediately
3.Early Defibrillation to restart heart: Use AED as soon as possible on victim
4.Early ACLS to stabilize: Ambulance arrival time

 

[TNFLineage]

I'm a retired firefighter/paramedic and keep a decent first aid kit as well. I just renewed my paramedic lic with CE's I had in the bank from my last recert classes while still working. I've thought about how to maintain my license after this and am resigned to having to let it go. Where I retired from, Trenton Mich FD, always holds the recert classes in Jan or Feb and we've become snowbirds to Florida every winter. Further, I know my skills have declined regarding drugs, IV starts, intubation. Basic skills like trauma and CPR I don't think you can unlearn. We recently drove by a pretty serious car accident and I found myself mentally critiqueing what I observed; ie, the engine properly parked to protect the scene, firefighter in the back seat holding traction, trauma bag open and misc debris indicating 4x4's, Kling, etc., a KED staged for use.
Back to what tedzz9 asked, it might be a good idea for a Rally topic to be basic first aid and CPR. Maybe an IC could volunteer to come up with a 1/2 session, or a contact from the Goshen FD would visit with an AED.

 

[RamGunner]

One of my former employers had an internal first responder group, and as a part of that I was able to get and maintain first-aid, CPR, AED, BLS/Airway certifications over several years. My current employer doesn't. I still have a really nice kit I got from Galls, and I still keep it refreshed as needed. I'd love to keep an AED in the truck, and we have plans to add one in the next couple of years, especially as some of the places we go are WAY out in the middle of no-where (no cell service, no EMS within 100 miles or more).

There is almost always an ARC office somewhere nearby where you can find and take classes. I highly recommend them. When time permits, I plan on re-certifying.

I do have an Extra-class ham radio license, and with the gear I have I can communicate locally either direct or via repeaters (many of which include telephone autopatch to get to 911) and all the way around the world. I have participated with local emergency communications groups and SAR groups, and through them have training and experience guiding in life-flight and others.

 

[tedzz9]

One of my former employers had an internal first responder group, and as a part of that I was able to get and maintain first-aid, CPR, AED, BLS/Airway certifications over several years. My current employer doesn't. I still have a really nice kit I got from Galls, and I still keep it refreshed as needed. I'd love to keep an AED in the truck, and we have plans to add one in the next couple of years, especially as some of the places we go are WAY out in the middle of no-where (no cell service, no EMS within 100 miles or more).

There is almost always an ARC office somewhere nearby where you can find and take classes. I highly recommend them. When time permits, I plan on re-certifying.

I do have an Extra-class ham radio license, and with the gear I have I can communicate locally either direct or via repeaters (many of which include telephone autopatch to get to 911) and all the way around the world. I have participated with local emergency communications groups and SAR groups, and through them have training and experience guiding in life-flight and others.

I'll be sure to park near you!!!!

 

[el Rojo]

With this thought. Is there anybody who could teach a CPR class at the Elkhart rally? And would there be enough interest in having the class?

Red

 

[Jerryr]

A AED would make a nice Christmas Present. No joke. I’ve considered this. My wife’s a retired RN with lots of ER experience. We’ve hosted CPR classes many times at our house for friends, neighbors and fellow employees.

We have a remote property where we camp out that’s about 25 minutes from any first responders. That concerns me as we get to the average age of life expectancy and we seem to keep losing several friends every year.

We travel with a large plastic box full of all kinds of medications, bandages, antibiotic creams, assorted ointments, pulse oximeter, blood glucose monitor, otoscope, stethoscopes, etc.

When you think about it the cost of an AED is about 1/2 the cost of disc brakes for our 5th wheel.

Does anyone here on the forum have their own personal AED?

 

[D2Reid]

A subject near and dear to my heart. My dream job is Ski Patrol. Wanted to be one since I was a kid. I hang out around ski resorts now, I had the pleasure of making Mountain Safety Patrol, not exactly ski patrol, different mission. But the underlying desire to be of service during emergency situations is strong in me. I am not a first responder, I admire them. But real life decisions steer me towards getting what emergency response training I can, then applying that training to the best of my ability.

I spend a great deal of time in the wilderness, no cell, no communication. I cannot fix you. But you can count on me to stabilize you and seek help.

If there is any training available, you can count me in.

 

[m&mjones]

With this thought. Is there anybody who could teach a CPR class at the Elkhart rally? And would there be enough interest in having the class?

Red

Would definitely be interested in attending the class Red.

 

[TNFLineage]

DW & I would be there.

 

[Chiefblueman]

Good topic, one I'm sure I haven't given enough thought to. First aid, AED and CPR training have been requirements of my employment for many years. Now that I'm no longer employed, I need to stay up on those certs whether I'm camping or at home. My DW hasn't had any training in years. I've dismissed the purchase of an AED in the past due to cost and proximity to care. Where we live the response time is 2-3 minutes, we're close to FD in a small town.
Now that we're older and spend more time on the road this thread has me rethinking this subject. I'd love to hear what some of you have in your first aid kits you consider essential besides band aids and such.

Ted, I'm betting on there being bourbon in your kit!

Merry Christmas all!

 

[tedzz9]

Kim, how right you are!! As a Chief myself I definitely want to keep up on my First Aid/ CPR and AED certs. None of us are getting any younger and having the knowledge, training and ability to help someone in need would be a privilege.

 

[Chiefblueman]

I'm not a real chief as you are, Ted. Chiefblueman is a translation of my name. The name Kim means "Chief of war" in Welsh. Gorman is literally "blue man" in Irish Gaelic. Blue men were the fiercest Celtic warriors, going into battle naked and bodies dyed blue. I'm of Irish descent and I've been naked outdoors before but I don't think I'll dye myself blue.

Not only would I like to help others where I can, I'd like to be prepared for helping my DW in case of an event. An AED in the RV and training to use it makes sense as another tool in the FA kit, especially as we enter our later years. I would hate to be standing helpless if something happened.

 

[acadiaforever]

We haven't had this conversation yet, so this is a good prompt. I'm a member of the search and rescue team that supports Acadia National Park. As such, I have a Wilderness First Aid certificate. The difference between this and the normal Red Cross Basic First Aid course is like night and day. In my opinion, the Basic course has been so watered down that it is basically useless if you're out of rapid EMT response. I'm not talking about the CPR training, but the first aid. I'd strongly recommend that anyone who will be "away" get the WFA training. It is a two day course. One of the things I've learned on the SAR team is how easy it is to get in a situation where you are several hours from an emergency room--even if you are only a few air miles away.

I'm seriously considering getting my Wilderness First Responder certificate before Kathe and start traveling seriously.

Again, thanks for starting the topic.
-Al

 

[tedzz9]

First Aid/CPR/AED training is available is out there everywhere. If interested contact you local Fire Dept./Hospital/Red Cross/Law Enforcement /Phone Book or Google it.
It is more than treating a bee sting or a hangover. There are different levels of first responders from basic first aid to paramedics. The initial care can save a life even if it is choking on an ice cube. Knowing how to protect your self first is beneficial to you.

This is a great topic for discussion. May you all stay safe in your travels and Merry Christmas!!

P.S. (first round on me)

 

[Steve7]

I see questions regarding pertinent items to have in your first aid kit. I’m sure Ted can provide his list from his experience, and it sounds like he probably has lots of things. I have a moderate amount, but some of the critical items I feel needed are; small and large bandages and dressings, Quick Clot, tourniquet (there’s a couple nice ones out that military and law enforcement carry that can be used by oneself), splint, ace bandage, aspirin, baby aspirin, Tylenol, sterile eye wash, cpr mask, etc. I carry these in a small medical EMT type bag in my truck. I’m sure I missed a few items, and I’m gonna need to make another bag for our boat since we will be on it a considerable amount of time next summer.

The list can be endless, but thats what I’m comfortable with. We used to use oxygen, bp cuffs and a pulse Ox, but we do not carry those as private citizens. We do have an automatic bp/pulse machine though at home that we will be keeping in the trailer (bought this recently after some heart issues).

 

[tedzz9]

Latex gloves