I am amused by many things that get posted when it comes to medicine on gun forums. What is more amusing is that it is posted by people who lack proper training. In essence they want to jump to the head of the line. There in lies the problem.
Some of you want to be the coolest kid on the block with every gadget for your firearms, but does it make you a better marksman? No. Does it make up for lack of proper training and more importantly follow up practice. No.
I have posted my concerns about people using hemostatic agents, and it is well founded. In the hands of schooled person they work as advertised. In the hands of a gear geek, well I fear for the problems.
Let us face facts, aside from those in the Military, LEO’s involved in high risk situations, and some other event happens to John Q. Public while in hunting in the back woods, medical attention is not that far away.
People post comments that I am good under pressure, yah what ever! People default to their level of training! Geez if they have none, they are not worth darn!
First off, God did give you every thing you need to treat medical events and it lies between your ears and behind your eyes. Of course, this presupposes that THR member has degree of common sense.
Now, we have to deal with reality. Most THR readers will not seek out firearms training. Whether it is cost, location, or their fear of not being the best they will not do it. I am strong advocate in education, at any level, for things that a person has an interest in. When people speak of employing lethal force I believe it is important to have good foundation of the law and mechanics of use of force. Firearms are just one of the tools one has in the self preservation toolbox.
The first rule of medicine is thought to be “Do No Harm.” Now, we have commercial Blow Out Kits out there, one from a training organization even includes a 14g angiocath for needle decompressions of a tension pneumo.
This is from their web site:
The fatal "big three" on the battlefield are CRITICAL BLOOD LOSS, OBSTRUCTED AIRWAY, and TENSION PNEUMOTHORAX. This small kit has the tools you need to help treat these three combat killers.
Each Kit Includes:
(1) Cinch Tight Compression "H" Bandage
(1) TK-4 Tourni-Kwik (3” wide 40" long Rugged Combat Tourniquet)
(1) Primed Gauze (crinkle cotton)
(1) Nasopharyngeal Airway (30FR Robertazzi Style)
(1) 14ga x 3 ¼ Catheter (sterile)
(1) Alcohol Prep Pad
(2) Safety Pins (2”) multipurpose
(1) Duct Tape (2”x100” roll)
(1) Set Nitrile N-Dex Gloves
(1) Three gram tube of Surgilube
Now, I know darn well that 98 percent of the THR or even more can not identify the landmarks for doing a needle decompression, let alone for the after care of a tension pneumo. So, I think that it is dangerous for the average Joe to have such an item. And, there are few other things that are worth noting, such as the use of nasal airway, I bet the average THR reader does not know how to use an NPA, and how to use it!
What are the solutions?
Training! Now, we will run into the same excuses as come up with firearms training. I am fortunate to have a long career in EMS from volunteer to RN in busy ER. I have had a few stops along the way like over 10,000 911 Advanced Life Support Responses under my belt. On top of that I have held instructor certifications in every thing from CPR to ACLS and others courses.
I have witnessed people do some incredibly stupid things along the way, and I have seen some great improvised solutions. Now just because a person took a class does not ensure competence in providing care…. Hell I know a guy that could have had a free EMT-B class right in his own back yard, but do you think he took up that opportunity? Heck no! He like most of you wanted to jump to the head of the line. Oh and do not pull that crap that I had military training on me either. Combat Lifesaver give me a break, I had FA in high school…..
So, to all THR readers I implore you take the time to invest in yourselves.
Seek out training! You can not do advanced life support without ensuring the ABC’s. The use of hemostatic agents is an advanced life support intervention.
A person has to learn to treat the ABC’s before getting into other things. Simple direct pressure works wonders on stemming bleeding.
Planning! That means having communication with 911 or other dispatching authority for LE, Fire, and Medical support. That means knowing where you are so you guide help to you. That means having been trained to intervene on the behalf of patient till professional help arrives.
For training I would suggest you contact your local EMS provider, Fire Dept, or ER for leads on training. Invest in yourself! Do not be a gear head! Be an prepared citizen!
Some of you want to be the coolest kid on the block with every gadget for your firearms, but does it make you a better marksman? No. Does it make up for lack of proper training and more importantly follow up practice. No.
I have posted my concerns about people using hemostatic agents, and it is well founded. In the hands of schooled person they work as advertised. In the hands of a gear geek, well I fear for the problems.
Let us face facts, aside from those in the Military, LEO’s involved in high risk situations, and some other event happens to John Q. Public while in hunting in the back woods, medical attention is not that far away.
People post comments that I am good under pressure, yah what ever! People default to their level of training! Geez if they have none, they are not worth darn!
First off, God did give you every thing you need to treat medical events and it lies between your ears and behind your eyes. Of course, this presupposes that THR member has degree of common sense.
Now, we have to deal with reality. Most THR readers will not seek out firearms training. Whether it is cost, location, or their fear of not being the best they will not do it. I am strong advocate in education, at any level, for things that a person has an interest in. When people speak of employing lethal force I believe it is important to have good foundation of the law and mechanics of use of force. Firearms are just one of the tools one has in the self preservation toolbox.
The first rule of medicine is thought to be “Do No Harm.” Now, we have commercial Blow Out Kits out there, one from a training organization even includes a 14g angiocath for needle decompressions of a tension pneumo.
This is from their web site:
The fatal "big three" on the battlefield are CRITICAL BLOOD LOSS, OBSTRUCTED AIRWAY, and TENSION PNEUMOTHORAX. This small kit has the tools you need to help treat these three combat killers.
Each Kit Includes:
(1) Cinch Tight Compression "H" Bandage
(1) TK-4 Tourni-Kwik (3” wide 40" long Rugged Combat Tourniquet)
(1) Primed Gauze (crinkle cotton)
(1) Nasopharyngeal Airway (30FR Robertazzi Style)
(1) 14ga x 3 ¼ Catheter (sterile)
(1) Alcohol Prep Pad
(2) Safety Pins (2”) multipurpose
(1) Duct Tape (2”x100” roll)
(1) Set Nitrile N-Dex Gloves
(1) Three gram tube of Surgilube
Now, I know darn well that 98 percent of the THR or even more can not identify the landmarks for doing a needle decompression, let alone for the after care of a tension pneumo. So, I think that it is dangerous for the average Joe to have such an item. And, there are few other things that are worth noting, such as the use of nasal airway, I bet the average THR reader does not know how to use an NPA, and how to use it!
What are the solutions?
Training! Now, we will run into the same excuses as come up with firearms training. I am fortunate to have a long career in EMS from volunteer to RN in busy ER. I have had a few stops along the way like over 10,000 911 Advanced Life Support Responses under my belt. On top of that I have held instructor certifications in every thing from CPR to ACLS and others courses.
I have witnessed people do some incredibly stupid things along the way, and I have seen some great improvised solutions. Now just because a person took a class does not ensure competence in providing care…. Hell I know a guy that could have had a free EMT-B class right in his own back yard, but do you think he took up that opportunity? Heck no! He like most of you wanted to jump to the head of the line. Oh and do not pull that crap that I had military training on me either. Combat Lifesaver give me a break, I had FA in high school…..
So, to all THR readers I implore you take the time to invest in yourselves.
Seek out training! You can not do advanced life support without ensuring the ABC’s. The use of hemostatic agents is an advanced life support intervention.
A person has to learn to treat the ABC’s before getting into other things. Simple direct pressure works wonders on stemming bleeding.
Planning! That means having communication with 911 or other dispatching authority for LE, Fire, and Medical support. That means knowing where you are so you guide help to you. That means having been trained to intervene on the behalf of patient till professional help arrives.
For training I would suggest you contact your local EMS provider, Fire Dept, or ER for leads on training. Invest in yourself! Do not be a gear head! Be an prepared citizen!
