Are you prepared to save a life in the backcountry?

[CoryTDF]

I recently took a CPR and first aid training class at work.  My wife and I were talking about dropping the money on an AED for the house and to keep in the truck during hunting.  With all the older out of shape folks I see in the woods, never know when I might need it for my camp or a neighboring camp.

Was spending the 4th at Padilla bay camping with my family when I was about 17. A lady pulled into our camp and started screaming her husband was dead! My dad pulled him out of the car and began CPR until he was relieved by another guy. That guy did it till the ambulance arrived. The guy died. Guess it was a heart attack. They were on there honey moon. Not sure an AED would have helped but it couldn't have hurt. Might have saved that guys life. Good idea!

[Fishnfowler]

I was certified in high angle and swift water rescue along with multiple courses in wilderness medicine.  I've worked 28 years in the ER and did Search and Rescue for some time before family came along.  I was the medical director for the ambulance service for a large chunk of WY about 15 years ago also.  When I go on a river trip or car camping, I carry the whole shebang, but in the backcountry it is duct tape, steroids, epi, benadryl and naproxen.  I carry a stapler also along with some chlorhexadine.  If I want bleeding to stop I put pressure on it.  I certainly don't carry squat when I'm out for a dayhike or a trip up the river for an evening of fishing.  Unless it is a multi-day event for me, I leave the other stuff behind.  The only thing I carry in my car is a mask. 

Saving a life sounds awfully dramatic.  I would open someones airway in the backcountry, but I would assess the circumstances before starting CPR and wouldn't just jump on it like a duck on a june bug.  My trips to the backcountry generally mean I don't see anyone else, I'm usually disappointed and surprised if I run into another party.  Carrying a bunch of stuff just for that eventuality seems goofy to me.  The most important things to have on a trip are a coat, matches, water, flashlight, and a strong sense of self-preservation.  Other than that, telling someone where you are going and when you are coming back are more important for survival than a first aid kit.

[Doublelunger]

I dont care what the numbers are, if someone is dying, and I have the training I do, I sure as heck am not going to stand by. That person could be the 2%.

Whats an israeli bandage?

The Emergency Bandage or Israeli bandage is a specially designed, first-aid device that is used to stop bleeding from hemorrhagic wounds caused by traumatic injuries in pre-hospital emergency situations.First used for saving lives during a NATO peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the bandages were successfully used during operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The emergency bandages were nicknamed "Israeli bandage" by American soldiers, and have been "the bandages of choice for the US Army and special forces.

[Doublelunger]

Here's a link for the Israeli bandage too.

http://www.chinookmed.com/cgi-bin/item/05130

[akirkland]

EPI pens only last a few minutes. Just a FYI.

[Austrian Hunter]

Where do you get the epipen?

From my doctor, I explained how far back I hunt, and he authorized a prescription for it.

Bet they cost a bit more these days, been a few years...

Be careful, but my Doctor told us that my son's epipen do expire 

[bassquatch]

Nothing wrong with someone having the willingness to "open an airway" but you better research where to cut! It's not like in the movies and too high you are doing more harm than good. 

I carry my cell phone and a hand held CB, I have to get certified in first aid, CPR and AED every year for my employment and never hesitate to help someone in need, however I also make step 1 contacting the pro's! 

Excellent thread! 

[Fishnfowler]

Nothing wrong with someone having the willingness to "open an airway" but you better research where to cut! It's not like in the movies and too high you are doing more harm than good. 

I carry my cell phone and a hand held CB, I have to get certified in first aid, CPR and AED every year for my employment and never hesitate to help someone in need, however I also make step 1 contacting the pro's! 

Excellent thread! 

Not sure if that was targeted at my statement or the person who was talking about a cricothyrocotomy, but I meant a simple head tilt chin lift.

[bassquatch]

Nothing wrong with someone having the willingness to "open an airway" but you better research where to cut! It's not like in the movies and too high you are doing more harm than good. 

I carry my cell phone and a hand held CB, I have to get certified in first aid, CPR and AED every year for my employment and never hesitate to help someone in need, however I also make step 1 contacting the pro's! 

Excellent thread! 

Not sure if that was targeted at my statement or the person who was talking about a cricothyrocotomy, but I meant a simple head tilt chin lift.

Not really 'targeted', just a general comment about a subject we covered in my last first aid class. 

[twinners]

Haven't seen anyone ask so are the hard candies for diabetic episodes are do they serve another purpose, besides being delicious.

[SFD2015]

CPR IS effective outside of a hospital environment. So I have to completely DISAGREE... Even if the quoted 2% was the actual number, if you are doing CPR on someone, they are dead, so a 2% survival rate is essentially a 200% more likely chance of living than without it. The key is PROPER CPR and continuous. Deep county backwoods, with only 1 person, yes the odds are stacked against you, but you can always bring someone back. I have done CPR on someone and had them conscious before drugs were applied.

http://www.itstactical.com/store/medical/

These guys have a pretty good set up. I agree with everyone here about equipment. Benedryl is best in liquid form (If your airway is closing due to anaphylaxis you probably won't be able to swallow a pill, versus a liquid).

The biggest key to your equipment is knowing how to use it. On top of some basic trauma bandages, naproxen sodium, benedryl, immodium, band aids, SAM splint, maker, and tape (I prefer the heavy cloth medical tape). The Israeli Bandage is an AWESOME bandage. I have a rubber type of tourniquet, but the Tactical tourniquet is better.

As GI Joe used to say, Knowing is half the battle. Classes are all over the place. Just make sure your class is partly outside. All inside classroom classes aren't realistic. CPR on the ground is different than CPR on a carpeted floor or on a table.

[headshot5]

Haven't seen anyone ask so are the hard candies for diabetic episodes are do they serve another purpose, besides being delicious.

Breath freshener for after CPR...   

[Curly]

 

[Sumpnneedskillin]

I would recommend quick clot gauze (or similar type) vs the powder.  With the gauze you have less chance of accidental contamination ie getting it in your eyes.

[bmccalister]

As an EMT I am finding this thread very interesting. I use to carry a lot of extera medical/first aid supplies in-case I came across just about any type of emergency. After years of carring all this stuff and never needing it I down sized my first aid kit to include some blood clot, basic bandaids and bandages, butterfly bandages and some basic medicine for diarrhea, indigestion, and pain. I figured I can use other things in my pack or around me in the environment to bandage or splint any serious injury. Someone using prescription medications should carry their prescription with them; for example, epi-pens for alergic reactions. The main thing to remember is people with severe injuries need to get to a medical facility quickly, all we can do is help as much as possible until help arrives.