First Aid

DSC_0351, originally uploaded by boxersiciliano.

Last night I took First Aid training, the first of two nights...I have to be certified in order to coach the little guys on the mountain bikes which start June 9...now, i am not the greatest when it comes to that kind of stuff, mostly even the thought of it makes me a bit uneasy. But then I think of all the times in life that I have dealt with something that should have grossed me out completely, i guess you sort of go into a special place and stay calm...at least I think. I have friends who are firefighters/paramedics and they all same the same thing...you just have to do your job...not to say there aren't things that are horrible to see etc., but that is why you are trained....I can't say this course is training me to feel totally confident, but it is amazing how even a small thing can help....for example.
Did you know that if someone has a sucking chest wound you can grab a plastic bag, stick it over the hole and tape it down on thee sides? That way, it creates a vacuum again in the chest cavity when the breathe in and the loose side lets any excess air escape when exhaling...
or,
if someone's intestines are hanging out, don't shove them back in like they show in the war movies...just cover them up and make sure they don't go anywhere else...yep...(i can't help but hope and pray that none of my 7-12 year olds crash so hard that their intestines come out, but now I can deal)
or,
someone can die within 20 seconds if certain arteries bleed out?
or,
don't put direct pressure on an eye if it is injured, just around it and in fact, if you have dixie cup, cut out the bottom and place that over the eye to protect it.
or,
if someone is impaled on a tree...don't take the branch out and try and bandage around the wound with plenty of gauze.
Always try to protect your self with the proper things like gloves, and eye protection....

here is the order of the day when something happens:
Check, Call, Care....

Turniquets are bad...don't use them
pressure, elevate, and then find the uphill pulse....press on it.

oh yeah, as long as you have acted within your training and in good judgement, chances are good that if you get sued, they won't win...

well, those are just some of the things I learned...tonight I will be working on CPR and learning how to help someone who's ABC's are not functioning...i know you are curious about that one, so check back tomorrow for more free learning.

Love and Understanding!