My bargain-hunter-gatherer wife came back from shopping the other day with two small, 8.5" X 6.5" X 3/8", books on first response emergency medical procedures. Both are printed on coated card stock, are well indexed with exterior tabs along the right margin for quick reference, and are large print with highlights in bold red. They are also spiral bound so there is no binding to break under rough treatment. Each treatment or procedure is complete without the need to turn to another section for further instructions.

One book "Mosby’s Outdoor Emergency Medical Guide" by David Manhoff and edited by Stephen Vogel, M.D. ISBN:0-916363-14-7 should be kept with you when you travel. It is sixty six pages long. The second book "Emergency Medical Treatment" by David Manhoff and Stephen Vogel, M.D. ISBN: 0-916363-10-4 is divided by age groups, Infant, Children, and Adults. Each age group is 26 pages long. I think it is particularly helpful for young families. Both books contain procedures for all the basic emergency health risks encountered and are very well illustrated.

Both books are listed at $12.95 U.S. but my wife obtained them new for less than $5 at the local Rite Aid Store in the discount bin. I highly recommend these two books as a handy reference. Once we reviewed these books, my wife went back and bought all they had. They will be divided between our home and vehicles. The rest will be given to close friends. We both have medical backgrounds and were impressed with these publications.

Thanks for the tip. Will have to head on over to our local Rite Aid to see if there are any available.

Pete

Another great reference that we take on backcountry trips with the Boy Scouts is "Wilderness First Aid", published by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). It's the text they use with their WFA course. It's also available on their web site:

http://www.nols.edu/store/books/nc_wildfirstaid.shtml

The book has excellent information on diagnosis and treatment, but, also gets into methods of prevention for situations that you'll encounter. It also deals well with the concept that First Aid in an urban or suburban environment is a lot different, potentially, than in a wilderness environment. In most places where people live, first aid/first responder just has to keep someone stable/alive until the EMS system kicks in. Wilderness First Aid deals with longer term scenarios, and with the need to frequently improvise methods to transport/evac.

Nice treatment of an important topic.