21st Century First Aid thread.

[shortylickens]

Having attended a couple classes over the last year I am of the opinion too many people lack modern 1st Aid knowledge. I'd like to correct that starting with this thread.

http://www.traumamonkeys.com/blog/2014/11/9/5-myths-about-tourniquets

Wanna bleed to death? Use your belt as a tourniquet!

I recently read an article on a preparedness website describing how to modify a belt to be a better tourniquet to stop severe bleeding. While I respect the author’s ingenuity, simply wrapping a belt around a limb, no matter how tightly it is buckled, will not likely occlude arterial bleeding...

mymedic.com

Way too much bad info on tourniquets out there so this seems as good an issue as any to address now.
Smart people will get decent tourniquets and keep them in a kit in their homes and know how to use them. Ideally you can add this to your regular home first aid kit OR make a special trauma kit. That kit should also probably include large bandages for real wounds, not tiny band aids which are useless in a real emergency.

If anyone wants to contribute modern info to the thread, I would appreciate it. In particular I'm looking for the latest CPR technique, whatever hospitals and fire departments are currently recommending to the laymen. I know it changes every few years.

 

[Kaido]

I take a local First Aid & CPR class every year. There have been changes over the years. For example, originally we did the Hemilich maneuver. Then they switched it to "abdominal thrusts". Now the Red Cross uses the 5&5 method:

Health Shorts: Heimlich replaced by '5 and 5' | Penn State University

5 blows and 5 thrusts:

Choking: First aid

Be prepared to provide emergency first aid if you or someone else is choking.

www.mayoclinic.org

 

[lxskllr]

Probably the biggest thing is to have your stuff available. For saw work I have a RATS tourniquet, an Israeli bandage, some clotting powder, and a couple little things in a M16 magazine pouch. Easy to clip to my chaps or saddle. Problem is I usually forget to do it. It doesn't do much good sitting in the truck when you're in the backcountry or up a tree. If there's a chance of needing something, make sure you have it.

edit:
For an improvised tourniquet, paracord should work pretty well. Tighten it like a capstan winch with a stick or something, and fasten it in place. A 3'(6' straight) prusik loop doesn't take up much room in your pocket, and can be used for all kinds of stuff, from holding open stormdoors, to making handles, and tiedowns. For amusement you can practice various knots with it, and learn a useful skill.

edit2:
This is the bible of knotwork. You won't find a better book anywhere, and it's commonly referenced in other books/web pages by number; eg ABoK #1053

The Ashley Book Of Knots : Clifford W Ashley : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

The Ashley Book of Knots and Macrame. working with rope, line and plating Every practical Knot, what it looks like, Who uses it, where it comes from and how to...

archive.org

 

[IronWing]

There is almost nothing in commercially available first aid kits that is useful for trauma. For a vehicle kit, where the expected use is trauma, you have to build your own. Heat destroys almost everything over time so be prepared to replace gauze pads, tape, and other supplies regularly.

A wool blanket is still one of the most useful items you can keep in your vehicle (treat shock, make a soft splint, immobilize). Doesn't degrade in heat and still works when wet.

For CPR, we're back to giving breaths. 30+2 and the compression rate is quite a bit faster (around 100 beats/min) than when I first learned it (60 beats/min).

 

[shortylickens]

There is almost nothing in commercially available first aid kits that is useful for trauma. For a vehicle kit, where the expected use is trauma, you have to build your own. Heat destroys almost everything over time so be prepared to replace gauze pads, tape, and other supplies regularly.

A wool blanket is still one of the most useful items you can keep in your vehicle (treat shock, make a soft splint, immobilize). Doesn't degrade in heat and still works when wet.

For CPR, we're back to giving breaths. 30+2 and the compression rate is quite a bit faster (around 100 beats/min) than when I first learned it (60 beats/min).

Good to know, thank you.

 

[Thump553]

It's been a couple of decades since I took a first aid course. Back then a neighbor who was chief surgeon at the local city hospital taught the course so I'm sure we got first rate training. But this thread really points out how things have changed.

For example, we were taught never, except in very rare circumstances, use a tourniquet as you will almost always make the situation worse, especially if 911 treatment was available soon. Instead we were taught use a clean pad and pressure (this was pre-AIDS era).

Any suggestions on where and how to get updated first aid training?

 

[Micrornd]

Any suggestions on where and how to get updated first aid training?

In my area, just about all hospitals offered CPR and First-Aid classes prior to covid-19.
I assume they will again at some point.