I'm becoming obsessed with First Aid

[ThomD]

It started off with "we should have a first aid kit in the truck". That lead to Wilderness First Aid Training. Now we have a big first aid kit in the truck, and small ones in the other cars. I even carry gloves and dressings in my jacket on the motorbike when I commute.

Then I got CPR training at work. That lead me to look into the survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrest. I'll save you the google - the rates are not good. Once again, TV has let me down. TV shows that CPR works most of the time. In reality, if you get CPR out of a hospital environment, you are toast. The CPR training at work also covered automatic external defibrillators. Did you know that you can buy those with flex spending money and Costco sells them? I'm thinking about buy one for my 60-something parents for Christmas. Unfortunately, AEDs also have a very limited application.

It's a dangerous world out there. Maybe I'll just wrap myself in bubble wrap.

[Fireman78]

Don't feel bad... cardiac arrest survivial rates are grim regardless, you could have a paramedic unit eating at the same burger joint you collapse in and you could still assume room temperature. Cheers!

[nbleak21]

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.

[Donsfast]

It is unfortunate that the only thing we all have in common is death....its great that you are learning about first aid with such detail though. It is a great idea, knowing what to do when needed will be an asset to yourself and others.

[ThomD]

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.

You'd think the gloves would be too much, but I see about 1 accident per year on my bike.

I'm not a medical professional, so the Good Samaritan laws apply,the Torti case not withstanding.

[rjcj-8]

PPEs are always good to carry even if you are only CPR certified, I won't do any thing beyond chest compressions with out some sort of barrier device.

nbleak21 does bring up some good points about the DNRs but if your not part of the EMS system you should fall under the good samaritan rules but check ot see what they are in your state, not every states rules are the same.

But on the flip side of this with the more training and certifications you get the more that is expected and you can get in just as much trouble for not acting and providing aid.

If you want some good opportunity to train look to see if you have a local CERT or EMA volunteer team.

I've been able to get advance CPR, Advance First Aid, and now currently taking First Responder training through my local CERT program for free or a significantly reduced cost.

[Firetacoma]

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.

Most state Good Samaritan laws cover all lay-people, and even volunteer rescuers, as long as they only operate within the scope of their training.

As for the DNR issue, when in doubt, provide care until a family member prevents you with proof they do in fact have a DNR. This could be a signed original document, or a medi-lert tag. But you should be checking for those before you start CPR anyway, right?

My 2 pennies, as an EMT.

[SunTzuNephew]

Don't feel bad... cardiac arrest survivial rates are grim regardless, you could have a paramedic unit eating at the same burger joint you collapse in and you could still assume room temperature. Cheers!

You could be on a gurney in my (or any) ED for a hangnail, have a MI and the odds wouldn't be good. Or you could be on an operating table with a ECMO team standing by and your odds are still pretty horribly bad.

[SunTzuNephew]

It started off with "we should have a first aid kit in the truck". That lead to Wilderness First Aid Training. Now we have a big first aid kit in the truck, and small ones in the other cars. I even carry gloves and dressings in my jacket on the motorbike when I commute.

Then I got CPR training at work. That lead me to look into the survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrest. I'll save you the google - the rates are not good. Once again, TV has let me down. TV shows that CPR works most of the time. In reality, if you get CPR out of a hospital environment, you are toast. The CPR training at work also covered automatic external defibrillators. Did you know that you can buy those with flex spending money and Costco sells them? I'm thinking about buy one for my 60-something parents for Christmas. Unfortunately, AEDs also have a very limited application.

It's a dangerous world out there. Maybe I'll just wrap myself in bubble wrap.

The use of home AED's doesn't have a great track record, either. Obviously, the first requirement is that someone ELSE be there when it's needed, to use it.

But, be careful with your obsession: I had one and I wound up in medical school

[Paul 3]

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.

Certainly good advice.

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.

I am not a legal or medical professional and hopefully one on the many on this board will chime in on the subject, but I do not believe a First Aid or CPR Certification is a License. There is quite a bit of literature distinguishing between a License, Certification and the legal difference between the two.

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.

I don't think this represents the Good Samaritan Clause accurately. Originally the Clause was created to protect licensed medical professionals and was eventually, legally, extended to non-professionals. To state that one might be "better off" instructing someone with no prior training is incorrect and potentially very dangerous. Maybe we can get Lance or Andrew to add their professional advice on this. Great topic.

Cheers,
Paul