Advice Wanted: Basic Medical Training/First Responder etc

Ash

Adventurer
Guys,

Maybe it's just coming with age, but as of late I am becoming more and more aware of just how unprepared I am to deal with an emergency situation. So, I'd like to do something about it.

Here at work, numorous CPR/AED/First Aid courses are offered and I have just completed one. I'm looking for the next step in basic medical training.

Do you have any suggestions?
Certified First Responder?
Any Red Cross courses etc?


Cheers
Ash
 

Corey

OverCamping Specialist
Great having courses offered through work it it not?
Where I work we get the courses for free and are certified.

What about wilderness first aid?
Boeing does not have this yet, but I should talk to a few fire fighter EMTs I know there to see if they can offer that up to us, or direct us to a source for it.
 

rjcj-8

Adventurer
Take any and all that you can get.
If you take them in order you will realize they all build on each other and some will require you to have taken one of the other classes.

I'd get the advance first aid next then look for the wilderness first aid or medical first responder. I took the medical first responder at the beginning of the summer. The short version of is is about 68Hr, at least to get certified in GA and unless you can find someone that is offering it through work or you local EMA/CERT its about $170 or better course but worth it.

I'm going to try and go for wilderness first aid next, one of the EMS directors at a local hospital I' friends with is looking at what it would take to get a class together.

You can never have too much first aid training. But never do any thing that is beyond your training or that you feel comfortable with.
 

ThomD

Explorer
Thumbs up on the NOLS Wilderness training series. We took Wilderness First Aid this spring and picked up the WFR book.

The difference between your typical Red Cross FA and wilderness FA is that "wilderness" is defined as more than 1 hour from definitive medical care.

Urban first aid is geared toward, "Keep them alive until the EMTs show up", while wilderness first aid factors in the element of (after treating whatever is wrong) do you "stay and play" or do you "load and go".
 

jh504

Explorer
Great advice here, definitely get all you can. Don't be scared to jump in head first, if it interests you then you can do it. Wilderness EMT would also be a great option if you have the time. When I started I went straight from CPR to EMT-B and never regretted one minute.
 

Ash

Adventurer
All great advice - Thanks Guys!

I've been looking into the Nola and Redcross options and will see how I go from there.

Ash
 

Dennis David

Observer
Don't forget your Community College. I went to through the Red Cross' Emergency Response and start EMT class next week at Palomar College in San Marcos and after I pass my CERT, NOLs WUMP (Wilderness Upgrade). I found that route to be the most cost effective as well as comprehensive.
 

nwoods

Expedition Leader
Thumbs up on the NOLS Wilderness training series. We took Wilderness First Aid this spring and picked up the WFR book.

The difference between your typical Red Cross FA and wilderness FA is that "wilderness" is defined as more than 1 hour from definitive medical care.

Urban first aid is geared toward, "Keep them alive until the EMTs show up", while wilderness first aid factors in the element of (after treating whatever is wrong) do you "stay and play" or do you "load and go".

x10000. Best two days of training I've ever spent.
 

wildmed

New member
I support NOLS/RMI/SOLO, they all have great programs. In my professional opinion WFR is really as far as one needs to go if they are looking to enhance there own personal knowledge, or even in a guiding sense. Anything above that is really designed for people who are looking to work or volunteer in a medical capacity. I second the Urban EMS+WUMP/WFR route being the best way to WEMT. Urban EMS and what is taught in WFR/WUMP classes are VERY different, therefore learning them separate is by far the best way to do so.
 

Dennis David

Observer
I just started my EMT class and I don't mind telling you that this class will take a lot of hard work. It's two nights a week and five Saturdays. Anything below a B and you're going home. They also require us to purchase a uniform and I found some great EMT pants by 5.11
 

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