My life partner collapsed in our home this January. The only thing that helped me was some knowledge and skill I'd picked up thanks to this list and related reading.

I knew to get her into a recovery position, to check her breathing and pulse, then to call 911. I knew what to expect when I called, and knowing beforehand helped keep me calm.

I also knew where the nearest hospital was, though the EMTs also knew this.

Thankfully, the fire station from which the ambulance was dispached is five minutes from us, and we are five minutes from the hospital to which she was taken.

I'm just posting this to share with you my new and profound respect for knowledge and skills. Too often I get fascinated by survival gear, and neglect survival skills.

Not one piece of my gear came into play that day. All I had were the pitifully few bits of knowledge and skill I'd picked up, almost as an afterthought.

Bear

EDIT: I forgot to include the happy outcome. After a month in ICU and another month at home, she's now completely recovered. It was a rare blood disease of unknown origin.