First aid is the initial response to an acute medical illness or injury. This week the preparedness challenge is make sure you are prepared if you need to give first aid. This includes using a good first-aid reference, acquiring first-aid and medical supplies, and updating your first-aid skills.

Also, don’t forget your vehicles. Do you have first-aid supplies in your car(s)? What about off-road vehicles, boats, and RVs?

Week 40 Preparedness Challenge

This week the preparedness challenge is to make sure you have the first-aid resources you need. You may want to get an up-to-date first-aid guide, build or update your first-aid kit, or sign-up for a first-aid course.

Start with a Good Instruction Guide

While I am not a medical professional, I do know that a good place to start is with an up-to-date basic, first-aid guide.

FIRST-AID INSTRUCTION BOOKLETS

An uncomplicated, fold-up chart is good option. A lot of critical information is condensed to fit on just a few pages making vital information easy to find in an emergency. Look for a guide that is well-organized, up-to-date, and complete. You can purchase laminated charts that will fold up to fit in a desk drawer, glove compartment, in a designated drawer or cupboard, or in your first-aid kit. Another option is to look for a downloadable chart.

• Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Ready Reference, American Red Cross. This is a foldable guide intended as a resource after Red Cross training. It is available through the Red Cross Store website.

• First Aid (Quick Study Health) pamphlet and CPR and Lifesaving (Quick Study) pamphlet by Inc. BarCharts. These foldable, laminated pamphlets capsulize the key first-aid practices in a handy format.

FIRST-AID BOOKS

You will likely also want a complete first-aid book that gives more detailed and nuanced first-aid guidance. There are many good guides to choose from, both print and Kindle versions. Most first-aid books give instruction on how to respond initially to a medical emergency anticipating that more expert medical help will be coming.

• ACEP First Aid Manual: The Step-by-Step Guide for Everyone, Chief Editor, Gianna M Piazza, DO, FACEP. This manual, representing the American Academy of Emergency Physicians, discusses how to deal with common, mild, serious, and life-threatening issues before more expert help is available.

• The Complete First Aid Pocket Guide by John Furst. John Furst is an experienced EMT and first responder with real-world experience and also teaches first-aid and CPR classes. The book emphasizes how to provide initial life-saving care before expert medical help can be obtained.

• First Aid/CPR/AED Participant’s Manual, American Red Cross. This is the Red Cross manual for participants in Red Cross first-aid training. It teaches how to care for injured or ill persons until advanced medical personnel can take over. It is available through the Red Cross Store website.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL HANDBOOKS

Another type of medical-aid book gives instruction on what to do when more expert medical help is not possible.

• The Prepper’s Medical Handbook by William W. Forgey, MD. Forgey advocates getting expert care when possible, but also emphasizes medical care off-grid, and especially care when no outside assistance is available. He is an experienced wilderness, humanitarian-aid, and adventurer-loving physician. He knows what he is talking about.

• The Ultimate Survival Medicine Guide  by John Alton, MD and Amy Alton ARNP. This book is a guide to emergency medical care when medical professionals are unavailable. It helps average people respond to serious injuries and illness. It also gives a thorough list of supplies that will be helpful. Then add to that basic over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, antiseptics, antihistamines, and soothing and antibiotic ointments. Also include a supply of any special medications along with prescription medications anyone in your family or group requires.

What Should I Have in a First-Aid Kit?

A well-stocked first-aid kit can, literally, be a life saver in a medical emergency. There are a couple of options for acquiring a first-aid kit.

FIRST-AID KIT: OPTION 1

The most convenient and easiest option is to simply purchase a kit. In fact, purchase several kits for your home, where you work, your vehicles, to put with outdoor and camping gear, etc.

While handy, one problem with purchasing a first-aid kit is the likelihood of purchasing it and setting it aside, not taking the time to thoroughly check it out. Not being familiar with the contents of the kit could be a problem in an emergency. A second concern is that a purchased first-aid kit may not be as complete as you need.

FIRST-AID KIT: OPTION 2

The second option is to put together your own first-aid kit. This will assure that you are familiar with its contents and that it has exactly what you want. Begin with the medications and supplies your family specifically needs and uses and any items your health care professional recommends. Then add basic first-aid supplies. A fishing tackle or three-layer plastic craft box are useful storage containers.

The following list is adapted from the Red Cross first-aid kit recommendations for a family of four:

Learn Basic First-Aid Skills

Do you know how to clean a wound or stop bleeding? How to perform CPR and the Heimlich maneuver? Can you treat a burn, support a sprain, or place a splint? Do you know what to do in case of shock or hypothermia? These are all essential first aid skills that are important for you and members of your family to learn.

TAKE A FIRST-AID OR CPR COURSE

Most communities offer first aid courses through the departments of health, hospitals, public safety and police departments, community colleges, and dedicated training centers. Many businesses also offer some level of first-aid and CPR training.

AMERICAN RED CROSS COURSES

The American Red Cross offers a full line-up of emergency first aid courses. The courses cost around $30 and are certificated.

FIRST-AID-FOR-FREE COURSES

James Furst, EMT, First-Aid Instructor, and author of The Complete First-Aid Pocket Guide, offers free first-aid courses on his website in a wide range of first-aid topics. Although he offers his book for sale, his website has plenty to offer that is helpful as well as free.

Learn More

In my book Crisis Preparedness Handbook, Third Edition, find out more about preparing for a crisis or emergency, including how to be prepared to handle medical situations in an emergency. Learn more about which medical supplies and tools to store You can find out more about other areas of preparedness in my book and on my website CrisisPreparedness.com.

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