I figure this is probably about a good a place as any to post this.
It's tax return time and everyone is looking for new shiny doo-dads for their rifle and gear. Maybe a few of you are even looking for some training classes to take.
Let me suggest that you look into an investment that will be priceless if you ever have to use it.
<span style="font-weight: bold">
SEEK MEDICAL TRAINING</span>
Many of us love the outdoors as much as shooting sports. By necessity it places us away from care if we are injured. Many of us take family and friends with us. This also places them at risk of injury.
I have the benefit of basic combat medical training from my military career and from law enforcement service. Every chance I get I take more training. I don't ever plan on being a doctor, nurse or even an EMT, but I realize that things happen that are beyond our control. I have had several instances in the line of duty where I had to provide care for seriously injured people until the pros could take over. Some lived, some died.
It never occurred to me that I would have to use my training for my own family. I type this from the Pediatric ICU at my local hospital. Yesterday my eight year old son was involved in a bad bicycle crash at a campground in a small town. He misjudged a trail, lost control on a hill and went down a ravine. He was wearing his helmet (which was cracked) but landed on some downed limbs. These caught his arm and twisted it backwards and underneath him causing a transverse compound fracture to his humorous. Basically he busted his arm above the elbow. He didn't black out, but I know the pain was amazing. My boy has some other serious neurological problems that were addressed three years ago with major brain surgery.
Most guys who have had any higher training know the drill. Your emotions turn off, you get a shot of adrenaline and you go to work.
Someone had called an Ambulance, but we actually arrived at the Emergency Room before the Ambulance got to the scene. We briefed the charge nurse en-route, so they had a room and staff ready for us.
Now my boy's injury from the accident was rather minor. However his medical history requires extreme caution in these matters.
The point of my long rambling post is that because I had simple medical training I knew danger signs to look for that would have prevented us from moving him. From SAR training I knew how to properly extract a casualty from the backwoods even if we were several mile further in than we were. Training prevents panic. Even though it was my own son pinned in a pile of lumber I don't recall feeling anything other than purpose. I fear this may have been totally different if the training hadn't been programmed in. Finally, my wife was at ease knowing that I knew how to handle the situation.
No, this wasn't a gunshot wound or any other life threatening injury. However I have that training as well and it was given to me at the same level as how to deal with sprains, breaks, and heat casualties.
If you are a first responder, then there are tons of agencies that provide this kind of training. If you are not, then contact your local American Red Cross. They can set you up with basic first aid and CPR. There are several private companies out there that offer combat aid classes to civilians. This may be a great option.
Whatever you do, prepare yourself. Don't assume than you will just be able to call an Ambulance to solve the problem. Your family and friends will thank you if you ever have to utilize your training.
It's tax return time and everyone is looking for new shiny doo-dads for their rifle and gear. Maybe a few of you are even looking for some training classes to take.
Let me suggest that you look into an investment that will be priceless if you ever have to use it.
<span style="font-weight: bold">
SEEK MEDICAL TRAINING</span>
Many of us love the outdoors as much as shooting sports. By necessity it places us away from care if we are injured. Many of us take family and friends with us. This also places them at risk of injury.
I have the benefit of basic combat medical training from my military career and from law enforcement service. Every chance I get I take more training. I don't ever plan on being a doctor, nurse or even an EMT, but I realize that things happen that are beyond our control. I have had several instances in the line of duty where I had to provide care for seriously injured people until the pros could take over. Some lived, some died.
It never occurred to me that I would have to use my training for my own family. I type this from the Pediatric ICU at my local hospital. Yesterday my eight year old son was involved in a bad bicycle crash at a campground in a small town. He misjudged a trail, lost control on a hill and went down a ravine. He was wearing his helmet (which was cracked) but landed on some downed limbs. These caught his arm and twisted it backwards and underneath him causing a transverse compound fracture to his humorous. Basically he busted his arm above the elbow. He didn't black out, but I know the pain was amazing. My boy has some other serious neurological problems that were addressed three years ago with major brain surgery.
Most guys who have had any higher training know the drill. Your emotions turn off, you get a shot of adrenaline and you go to work.
Someone had called an Ambulance, but we actually arrived at the Emergency Room before the Ambulance got to the scene. We briefed the charge nurse en-route, so they had a room and staff ready for us.
Now my boy's injury from the accident was rather minor. However his medical history requires extreme caution in these matters.
The point of my long rambling post is that because I had simple medical training I knew danger signs to look for that would have prevented us from moving him. From SAR training I knew how to properly extract a casualty from the backwoods even if we were several mile further in than we were. Training prevents panic. Even though it was my own son pinned in a pile of lumber I don't recall feeling anything other than purpose. I fear this may have been totally different if the training hadn't been programmed in. Finally, my wife was at ease knowing that I knew how to handle the situation.
No, this wasn't a gunshot wound or any other life threatening injury. However I have that training as well and it was given to me at the same level as how to deal with sprains, breaks, and heat casualties.
If you are a first responder, then there are tons of agencies that provide this kind of training. If you are not, then contact your local American Red Cross. They can set you up with basic first aid and CPR. There are several private companies out there that offer combat aid classes to civilians. This may be a great option.
Whatever you do, prepare yourself. Don't assume than you will just be able to call an Ambulance to solve the problem. Your family and friends will thank you if you ever have to utilize your training.
