I've got a question about first aid training - I stay current on my Red Cross First Aid and CPR (well, mostly - need to re-cert right now - couple of months out of date), but I find the first aid class they teach, well, kinda lame. I remember my Boy Scout First Aid Merit Badge covered a LOT more than the first aid class does - in fact, the class disapointed me - I noticed a couple of actual mistakes, quietly mentioned them to the instructor at break, and she corrected them post break - saying I was right - just from remembering my Boy Scout stuff

Anyway - around HERE, I have not found any more advanced first aid training than basic first aid without going all the way to EMT trainee classes - I don't see any "first responder" first aid - stuff that does NOT assume an ambulance full of gear to back you up. Anyone have any idea where I can look for this? It's time to refresh my skills again, and I'm willing to put in a bunch of time to do it (came close to going to the EMT class)

Call 718 333 CARE... I know they offer some kind of first aid training class besides emt and paramedic training.

I have seen "Wilderness First Aid" courses, which if I remember correctly, assume that emergency services are more than 1 hour away. In this way, certain measures which would be considered "drastic" in the city, can be taught in the pretense that you can do it, but only if you're in the wilderness.

I also believe they offer "Wilderness EMT" and "Wilderness Paramedic" courses around the country. You however must hold a valid EMT or Paramedic certification first.

Wilderness First Aid by the Wilderness Safety Council

Searched on Google for
"Wilderness First Aid" and found these results

Here's where I got my wilderness first responder certification (9-day course):

http://nols.edu/wmi/

Here's another good one:

http://www.wildmed.com

Thanks Matt

Happy holidays (OK Merry Christmas) - Glad the strike is over! Keep it safe out there at Kennedy

Depending where you are, most of the volunteer fire depts. put their firefighters through a first responder class. The one that I knew of was about 40 hours long and would basically get the patient ready for the EMTs / paramedics. Another way is to call your local / state Emergency Medical provider (ambulance) and find out who is the governing agency that licences them. They should be able to tell you who is putting on a class - they have to know as they are the ones that will licence them or administer the test. Hope this gives you what you are needing. EPI

The Red Cross offers a 16-hour "Wilderness First Aid" course (which you may also find kind of lame) and some chapters offer a 40-60 hour "Emergency Responder" course. This will get into more than their typical airway, breathing, circulation, serious bleeding and shock. It also includes some training scenarios, as there is nothing like "hands on" learning. When evaluating the quality of a training course, it is best to evaluate the quality of the instructors first. If they have some "been there, done that" experience, and know HOW TO TEACH ADULTS, then you will probably have a much better experience and learn lots.

You might also become a "victim" in a mock emergency drill (airports usually have them). Being around lots of screaming, chaos, and fake blood may teach you things about yourself. I.E. you may find that you are good under pressure, or you may find that you don't like to be around big medical emergencies.

As part of my job, I must requalify every year in first responder first aid, CPR, AED, and related medical topics. Personally, I find that I learn more from the instructors by taking them to lunch and asking questions there, than I do in the classes themselves.

Wilderness first aid is worth taking -- check local mountian bike, trail maintence, rei and colleges for offerings. Its more in depth than "basic" and goes into longer term care and other useful things.

TRO

Since I became a CLI by NYS DOH I see how more and more programs for EMTs and Paramedics are being made simple. EMS education became a money making machine with lower and lower standards. Many people get into it because where else without any former education but finishing a 3 month course you can get a respected job paying you $15-$20 an hour for EMT and $19 to $28 for Paramedic (more time wise training for paramedic)? Criteria for working EMS field are being dropped left and right and EMTs become dumber and dumber with no skills. EMS profession used to be about understanding, initiating care in the field and rapid transport now it is all about transport.

I teach my friends First Aid. We sit down in my house and hang out for 6 or 7 hours where I show them basic things. We go thru burns, soft tissue injuries, bleeding control, spine stabilization, fractures, basic characteristics of heart attack/stroke, major diseases, some basic anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and allergies. I tell them what should they know and bring out drugs that technically can't be used in the field. Since they are learning that stuff for their spouses and families not for strangers I don’t really care. We don’t go into big scenarios but stuff that happens everyday. But I give them enough information to figure things out and due no harm if something unusual happens.

If I had my way in the world that's how I would teach first aid. I'm big on equipment use, Sam splints, proper bandaging, aggressive medication treatment, diagnosing and most important UNDERSTANDING of the problem. I believe that new wave of EMTs and Paramedics especially here in NYC are handicapped and I admit that even my training had a lot to be desired . I do spend a lot of time with MDs in the ER learning stuff. But than again medical field becomes less and less about patient care and more about liability and billing.

I agree with you whole - heartedly. I am going to be giving a similar "course" with my step-father who is big into being prepared. He, unfortunately, has mastered a lot of skills, but life saving is not one of them.

As a former medic, I really can not understand how anybody in the medical field can NOT learn the concepts and physiological reasons and reactions. You are truely "preaching to the choir" on this subject.