To your point, I train bi annually and regularly review my training and gear. I think before you can ever execute rendering aid, you have to mentally know what the steps are and have practiced them. Especially when it comes to CPR or an extremity bleed, saving a life is fairly simple. Putting a TQ on properly and stopping a bleed to save a life isn’t that difficult if practiced.
You misunderstand me. I’m not saying training is bad. I wholeheartedly agree with your point about getting training, any training. Get the right equipment too. And civilians are a great help especially in mass casualty events and some rescues. What I’m commenting on is the degree to which people may have unrealistic expectations about what we’re actually talking about when you have the kind of situation that requires a trauma kit. When you put a tourniquet on somebody you’re writing off that limb. You’re choosing their life over their leg. We had specific requirements before we could ever use a tourniquet in the field. Now everyone in the world is walking around with them. It’s not just a tool in a kit. It’s a life altering decision.
You get it. After several deployments as an Infantryman and several years as a ER RN, I can say a TQ is overkill is most instances. I cannot speak for how many times my ER has taken down a TQ to find it was not needed. The supplies one carries should fit two categories, those you will most likely need and those you are trained to use.
I carry both trauma and regular first aid. I’d rather have TQ and not need it than the reverse. Common sense applies as it always does. In most instances here in the US, a person is not very long from getting professional care. TQ can be removed before damage is done. I encourage people to get trained and buy good equipment and be prepared to use it. I think some of the “tribal knowledge” talk as if some people have figured something out that others can’t is not helpful and possibly worse if it discourages someone from trying to learn and prepare for an emergency.
Good word. Ironically, I started this post several days ago and today, I had to use my ankle kit when a co worker had a seizure and fell and hit their head. Fortunately it was just the gloves that I used due to bleeding but at least I had them.Here’s my trauma kit bag: I removed the chem sticks and tourniquet from the outside as the dog keeps trying to eat them. The shears are just stuck in there from the last time the dog knocked this off the head rest. I’ve got another small bag (shown below) that contains bandaids, etc. I also carry burn stuff, cold packs, ointments, sunscreen in yet another separate bag. I don’t like a lot of basic first aid getting in the way of trauma stuff. If you grab this bag, it’s a bad day. This is about 2 IFAKs worth plus some extra things I added. You can never have enough combi pads, 4x4 and gauze for packing wounds. I’ve had to put my body weight into arterial bleeds before until we could get to the hospital and a vascular surgeon. Make sure your trauma kit has a space blanket too. I don’t usually carry my Littmann CIV anymore.
I just replaced most of the stuff in this kit. It goes bad after a few years. I got most of it from medicalgearoutfitters.com. My FSA provider didn’t balk at using them, so that’s something to keep in mind. When your money is about to expire is a good time to stock up. Be careful buying any medical equipment other than bags off of Amazon.
I just took my CPR annual refresher course. Instructor told us that most all 50 states have a “good Samaritan law“ that would cover anyone whose intention is to help someone
Iowa's law -
I have to look up Florida's. I just know it is encouraged to help in some situations.
