The training I felt uncomfortable about - and shouldn't have
I didn't really feel all that good about taking Combat Life Saver training. I am not a natural with first aid or trauma medicine - not that I am squeamish or such, but I just don't have a natural talent or inclination for it (after I put in my first saline lock and IV, I later called my Dad - a retired MD - and he was tickled about it, heh). I did OK and learned enough to help out in a pinch.
But one thing that good first aid/trauma training can get across to you is a sense of, for lack of a better term, "priority". Certain things must be done if naught else is accomplished.
Like, seeing what is wrong in the first place.
I am currently home on leave, and I was driving on a back road when I came upon a two car accident. 911 had been called by an eyewitness - and the other two people standing near the wreck had done...naught.
I didn't have to do anything drastic that I had been taught in CLS (no tourniquets, heh heh) but at least I could talk to two people who had been hurt (I think one was either a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder and the second was acting concussed and complained of a hurt neck) and make sure they did not aggravate their injuries, and reassure them help was on the way (it was not long in coming at all, thanks to the small fire protection district's station being reasonably nearby). Once the gathering group of bystanders saw someone actually doing something, a couple of people did lend a hand - particularly one older gentleman that stayed and spoke soothingly to a toddler who was in the car that had received the worse of it.
SPECIAL ASIDE: Seat belts and children's car seats WORK! Use them. Please. Oh, and thank goodness for cell phones - often they are disparaged, but when you have an emergency on a rural road, they are a Godsend to contact help.
The small police force of the nearby village and the local FPD arrived quickly, and I gave them what information I had and got out of the way. I would stress that last point - once the people trained and employed to take care of the situation have the proper information and get to work, the best thing to do is not impede them.
I did nothing all that special, but I did take advantage of what the Army has taught me. Oddly enough, it was at home and not on a battlefield.
But one thing that good first aid/trauma training can get across to you is a sense of, for lack of a better term, "priority". Certain things must be done if naught else is accomplished.
Like, seeing what is wrong in the first place.
I am currently home on leave, and I was driving on a back road when I came upon a two car accident. 911 had been called by an eyewitness - and the other two people standing near the wreck had done...naught.
I didn't have to do anything drastic that I had been taught in CLS (no tourniquets, heh heh) but at least I could talk to two people who had been hurt (I think one was either a broken collarbone or dislocated shoulder and the second was acting concussed and complained of a hurt neck) and make sure they did not aggravate their injuries, and reassure them help was on the way (it was not long in coming at all, thanks to the small fire protection district's station being reasonably nearby). Once the gathering group of bystanders saw someone actually doing something, a couple of people did lend a hand - particularly one older gentleman that stayed and spoke soothingly to a toddler who was in the car that had received the worse of it.
SPECIAL ASIDE: Seat belts and children's car seats WORK! Use them. Please. Oh, and thank goodness for cell phones - often they are disparaged, but when you have an emergency on a rural road, they are a Godsend to contact help.
The small police force of the nearby village and the local FPD arrived quickly, and I gave them what information I had and got out of the way. I would stress that last point - once the people trained and employed to take care of the situation have the proper information and get to work, the best thing to do is not impede them.
I did nothing all that special, but I did take advantage of what the Army has taught me. Oddly enough, it was at home and not on a battlefield.
posted by LTC John at 8:01 AM
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