Medical Supplies

[jerry45]

After getting a very nasty PM regarding this subject, I would like to again try to make my point.

First of all, good training is certainly a valuable necessity in almost everything we do. For most of us, getting training to handle ALL of life's emergencies is not practical. We therefore, get the necessary training for whatever aspects of our life that we feel most vulnerable and are of most concern to us.

My post regarding the availability of QuikClot at the Carry Depot certainly did not suggest that it was the solution to all medical problems. It probably is not the best treatment for a heart attack, a migraine, upset stomach, etc. QuikClot can be a valuable aid when one needs a clotting agent to control bleeding. Depending on the severity of the injury, QuiKClot may not offer enough of a treatment to control all bleeding.

That being said, is it unreasonable to have a supply of band aids when one has not been to medical school? Is it unreasonable to carry a clotting agents in one's range bag knowing that it may not stop all bleeding injuries? Certainly having a plan is critical to handling any emergency - we do what we can, given our ability, training, and resources available.

To any forum members I have offended in stating that the QuikClot product is available at the Carry Depot, you have my most profound apologies. To the individual I seem to have offended the most, I think we are more in agreement than you are willing to accept. Should we ever have an opportunity to meet in person, I would very much like to take the time to have you educate me in many aspects of treating GSW. Best regards.

Jerry

[jerry45]

Jerry45-

You need training on how NOT to double post.

Let me slap a QuiKClot on that double post! Sorry!

[1911fan]

There becomes a time when professionals believe that what they do is only to be done by them, in the extreme. Remembe the guy who said "I is the only oneprofessional enough to do this" But it happens, I see it with plumbers, electricians, mechanics etc, who get a sort of arrogance about them that fails to let them see what can be done by Joe Blow on the street.

ET, I understand you feel I should get some training. fine. I have some. I never paid anyone for training about firearms, but I do ok with them. I have worked with some people over the years on jobsites injuries and accidents scenes and never killed one yet. Not that I am flipping open the pocket knife and doing surgery either, but I have managed to deal with stuff even when all the parts are no longer connected, and you hand the ambulance driver a plastic bag saying this goes there.

There are some really REALLY good books on topics ranging from the basic EMS course books to the NOLs Wilderness first Aid books, but for the most part, we are not there to be the doctor, we are there to be the people who Dial 911, and have a kit with us, so we can staunch bleeding, get an airway, etc while the ambulance/ems/emergency vehicles are on the way.

At the very least get some gloves, some compression pads, an airway mask, some sort of binding wrap so that you can grab on the end of a limb and shut down bleeding without risking yourself, or if you see someone grab their chest and fall, you can start CPR while waiting for the PRO's to show up.

Now here is a list of gov't pub's which can be helpful if you read thru them and take the time to mimic out what they are saying. They are designed for the most part to be read by 19 yo recruits so they are managable.


http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/milmed/index.html


another on survival including medicine

http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/2007/11 ... vival.html

[justaguy]

Stop the breathing
Start the bleeding
Infect the wound
Pray for shock. That’s my motto and when it doubt apply mass amounts of QuikClot.

[1911fan]

Exactly justaguy

I forget the book, but there was a story of a PI who shot some guy who was trying to kill his kid, and after shooting the guy, PI runs over and starts doing compressions on the guys chest, without attempting to stop the arterial bleeder the guy had, essentially pumping him dry. One less witness.......

[Medic468]

After getting a very nasty PM regarding this subject, I would like to again try to make my point.

Jerry

There seems to be a lot of that going around the last week. I'm sure it's the same individual. (The same one who watches Dr. Phil )

What was that here about personal attacks? Oh, Yeah... I think it was don't do it. Apparently when you have more letters after your name after 27 years in the field it grants you the right to personally attack others.

Don't PM me again.

As far as this topic, I am done discussing it. If something comes up in the future that might afford some forum members the opportunity to take some basic First Aid training, so be it.

Until then, I like hanging out here and enjoying the posts of the other members, if any of you don't the get the hell out of here and stop crapping in our campfire.

M468



*** Edited because I stooped low and threw in a personal attack. Sorry, But I think my post is clearer now ***

[justaguy]

...stop crapping in our campfire.

The nerve of some people, that is just wrong.

[Medic468]

I edited my last post and removed the frustrated personal attack that I had made.

[rtk]

Medic,

Thanks for you constructive and thoughtful posts regarding this subject. I have also spent a fair amount of time in this field in a previous life (retired after 20 +years) and felt that the suggestions and ideas that you presented were right on target. While everyone cannot commit to the course work that it takes to become a ER Doc, any knowledge is better than no knowledge at all even if it it involves a lay person with little or no formal EMS education. As far as I know this board was established as vehicle for those of us in the community as a resource to exchange information and progress our causes further in a somewhat positive way.

rtk

[ttousi]

Lighten up there folks................it really doesn't help the process

[Andrew Rothman]

I took a CPR/AED/First Aid class from the Red Cross a couple of weeks ago. It's a good start, and at $45 for a seven-hour class, it's a real bargain. I'm not under the illusion that I'm a medical expert, but it has increased my confidence in dealing with major and minor boo-boos.

I am currently assembling my car first aid kit. The big challenge is that (as if we could forget lately) it gets cold here. Saline, peroxide, iodine and most other liquids freeze solid at typical trunk temperatures. Consequently, the kit will be mostly dry bandages, gloves, and the like. I'm also going to get a waterproof container to put it all in, as I'm pretty sure that the warming, cooling and resulting condensation is not too good for adhesives (it's done a number on the range masking tape in my trunk).

I contemplated taking the First Responder class at a community college (I think it's the one that police officers have to have), but it's 64 hours and $250. That's a big investment for now.