First Aid Crash Course

 

For the people who are self reliant it should be a no brainer that basic first aid is important. What is strange to me is that a ton of people who have taken up the hobby of firearms training and practice, rarely have it. 

Basic first aid?! BASIC FIRST AID! People... shooting guns.... without the most basic of FIRST AID!!! 

This is careless and ignorant stupid. My personal take on this is there are 3 levels of concentration. In a short list I prioritize like this. 

1. First aid (basic and trauma)
2. Gear and general protection (protective equipment, guns, gear)
3. Training and application (shooting, drills, practice, and other advanced coursework)

Without the first aid in general you are a burden. First aid is for your own sake. If you work out in rural areas, it can easily come in handy if you get cut accidentally. In the realm of the avid shooter it can save someone else's life or your own as well when the worst happens. 

I am not a professional. But for the sake of this article I do have certifications from the Red Cross and have ASIRT *active shooter* qualifications, and bleed stop training. As far as more extensive blow out courses go I have completed coursework without any advanced certifications. So take all this with a grain of salt. 

IF YOU SHOOT OFTEN AND ITS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS A HOBBY, PLEASE GET FORMAL TRAINING IN SOME CAPACITY! 

There are two levels of first aid to me you have boo boos, and blow outs. 

Basic First Aid

This can be treating small and minor cuts, scrapes, blisters, bug bites, and the treatment of shock. Also choking, and CPR can be all grouped as basic first aid. Most of these minor things are just boo boos.

Those new to first aid can easily do a search online for either free or very cheap Red Cross training programs. A lot of the times employers will even pay to have you take them. Find out what your employer has available for you to take before spending money on it. Typically they will offer a very basic first aid course along with a CPR certification. Sometimes they will also add skills like how to help someone who is choking as well. These courses are only a few hours long and you can learn life saving techniques that will stick with you a lifetime. And, chances are your work is going to pay for it. Congrats. You know more about first aid at this point than more than probably 98% of the people shooting at your local range! Scary huh? 

Click to find Red Cross Classes

After you get CPR trained, basic first aid, and would like to find out more advanced training there is a ton of other resources you can use online and for in person classes with professionals. If you are fortunate enough to have local ranges that offer CCW classes a lot of the times they will have skilled people available to teach trauma level classes related to gunshot wounds etc. I highly suggest looking for these classes if you would like to and don't mind paying money for them. However, a lot of these classes can be found online for free. 

Combat First Aid

When it comes to combat level first aid, these are blow outs. This is the life threatening material. Combat level related first had concentrates on mostly bleeding control and wound management. All of which is very important if you are dealing with firearms since they concentrate on gunshot wounds and serious lacerations or injuries. These courses usually will feature a good chunk of lecture and then practicing techniques using tourniquets, hemostatic agents, and clearing and opening airways. A vast majority of these are geared for civilians and require no previous first aid experience. The prices for these courses will vary however a lot of them are available completely for free online. 

*for some reason this video on mobile does not work*
Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training - Full 3 Hour Course (Click here)

Here are some youtube creators to check out for combat medic related materials. 
CarryTrainer - Full Courses Available
SkinnyMedic - Medical Videos and Prepper Info
Committee on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC)

Really, there is no excuse to have basic first aid and some combat first aid under your belt. There are a ton of free resources available out there at your disposal you just have to find it. As mentioned before a lot of the times employers will pay for these sorts of classes and things but you won't know unless you ask. The other good thing is that if you have insurance a lot of the times insurance will cover your medical and first aid related gear. Something to think about. 

First aid is integral in the prepping community. I urge everyone and any one to get basic first aid. But for those of us that are shooters and gunnies, this is absolutely essential to be a well rounded modern day warrior. 

Remember. Your IFAK (individual first aid kit) isn't for your buddy. Its for you. Urge your battle buddies to do the same and get their first aid shit together. Please. For their sake and for everyone around you. 

Plug holes
Stop holes 
Make holes

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