It was all good until I read "I even carry gloves and dressings in my jacket." That's a little excessive for anything less than an EMT, IMHO.
Obtaining First Aid knowledge is great, and I highly recommend it for everyone... but there are restrictions, guidelines, and liabilities that some may not be aware of.
Ever heard of DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) cards? You're liable to find yourself in court, sued, over violating a person's wishes, if they carry the card.
Also remember that if you carry a Licence for First Aid, CPR, Lifeguarding, ETC, and have recieved proper training, you are heald liable for your actions, no matter how well and good your intentions are. Even by using your best judgement, if you make a "wrong" call, you're responsible... Also be very mindful of card expiration dates. You could be one day expired, have to use your skills and abilities, and then be held responsible for practicing first aid illegally, while otherwise someone without proper training, could be covered over the good sumaritain clause... Meaning, in the event of this ever happening, you may be better off Instructing someone with no licence to save, rather than doing so yourself with an expired license.
Just some food for thought.
Well we already had a Dr. post in this thread so I will simply backup and add a bit of my thoughts...
First of all, getting all the training and supplies you can is the BEST THING YOU CAN DO, not so much for the random stranger but FOR YOUR FAMILY and YOURSELF.
We are often in remote areas, places where being able to know if something is serious or not can make or break a trip. Places were treating a cut/scape can make the difference between a little pain and a serious infection.
Now on the random stranger & the Good Samaritan law...there are 3 things to remember:
1) Scope of Practice- only do things you KNOW, things you have been TAUGHT & REMEMBER and everything will be fine. If you aren't sure then don't do it. I am an ICU RN & Wilderness EMT level, those are actually in conflict at times on paper but in reality one applies to the Urban setting & the other to remote areas...either way, just because I might understand how to place a breathing tube doesn't mean I will.
2) The law is on your side - the reason we are allowed to work on people is that we are trying to do more good than harm. As long as that is the case then all is well. I challenge anyone who is itching to type some fear mongering response to first go out and find some convictions that show a person acting reasonable for the benefit of another, within their scope and was fined/imprisoned for their actions.
Sure lots of urban legends, lots of "what if's" but finding convictions or even cases tried is tough.
3) DNR and med-alert bracelets - yeah look for them, but AGAIN I challenge anyone to find a case tried or a conviction of someone who gave CPR to a DNR and was prosecuted. Again the law is there to protect you in efforts to render aid. And I ask you, deep down inside how well can you sleep at night if you watch someone die that you could have helped and didn't? The importance of the med-alert bracelet is more about allergies and pacemakers before you give a med or shock someone.
Oh and on the CPR thing...well I assist with a "code" about once a week to every other week, I do lots of chest compressions, give lots of drugs, shock plenty of people....I am not a Dr but an ICU RN which means I am often there before the Dr's and after, I am the one doing the compressions (for a while, we switch often since you will be worn out in minutes)......and all I have to say is that while I will do CPR in the field anytime, I know that it just isn't likely to get a person back home from the hospital. However I will do it anyway because THAT person might be the ONE person it does save.
And on AED's...I am looking to buy one, because in the case of Ventricular Fibrillation or Ventricular Tachycardia shocking someone is pretty much the only thing that will help. And if you do it quickly and properly it has the highest chance of survival.
But then again I would install it in the WAVE as we have a higher risk population, and I am a Boy Scout Leader with a high risk group of parents & grandparents that come to hikes & campouts.
For the average person I don't think an AED is worth having.
Lastly...on the subject of First Aid kits...have lots of Kerlex type rolled gauze vs those little single packs, a good size syringe (20ml) for washing wounds, PLEASE DON'T USE THAT QUICKCLOT STUFF, carry hydration solutions, and learn learn learn how to use what you have.
Oh and if you ever travel in groups ask your Dr for a script for an Epi-pen, that could save a life of someone who didn't know they were allergic to something, or knew and lost/forgot their pen.
We have a number of medical/SAR/EMS folks on this board, I would advise anyone who has interest in this topic to read what they write carefully vs some of the knee jerk fear mongering reactions that are often posted no forums.