Having first aid skills is very useful for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a survivalist or not. A grasp of basic first aid skills can be very handy in times of need. If someone’s choking, you can immediately administer the Heimlich maneuver. If someone collapses and is not breathing, your knowledge of CPR might save their life.
Your skills will make a world of difference to the casualty. The truth of the matter is that many people are interested in first aid, but they feel intimidated. It all seems so complicated. They feel like they need to be a doctor or nurse to do it well.
In reality, anyone can learn first aid and do a relatively good job, if they know what to do. First aid is not open-heart surgery that requires years of learning medicine. It is immediate remedial action to rescue someone long enough till they get medical help.
CPR till the paramedics reach the victim is first aid. Dislodging food that’s stuck in someone’s windpipe by using the Heimlich maneuver is first aid. Pressing a piece of cloth firmly on an accident victim’s gaping wound to stop the bleeding till the ambulance arrives is first aid.
It’s all about preventing a bad situation from getting worse. So, the question now is, “Where can I learn and develop my first aid skills?”
- Books
For starters, you should get a good first aid book and read it. One of the best books on this topic is the “First Aid Manual: The Authorized Manual of St John Ambulance, St. Andrews Ambulance Association and the British Red Cross” published by St. John Ambulance.
There are a ton of first aid tips and techniques in this guide to help you master the basics. A lot of first aid is actually common sense blended with correct methods. One example is placing direct pressure on a wound to stop the bleeding. The first aid manual will probably give you extra information on the different types of bleeding and what to expect. This will help you understand things better.
- Classes conducted by professionals
Certain techniques like CPR and the Heimlich maneuver are best taught by medical professionals. It would be a great idea to check with your local hospitals or community centers where you can get first aid training.
Once you join these classes you can learn the proper technique and even learn more advanced skills like using splints to treat fractures. This is good investment.
- Online videos
If you can’t find any first aid classes near your place, you can always turn to YouTube and watch videos on the different first aid skills. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn.
- Online sites
This is your last option. There is a plethora of websites online with first aid information. The problem with getting information from websites is that you may find contradicting information. You’ll probably also experience information overload and get intimidated.
So, it’s best to stick to authoritative manuals and get professional training when you can. These are your best options to getting the first aid skills that are so important to any survivalist.