Tweet
We like going to the range and don't think twice about shooting a couple hundred rounds with a cost of $50-$100. We like training ground fighting, Ju Jitsu, Close quarter combat, H2H, Pistol takeaways, etc. We like starting fires with a bow or flint and steel. We like hiking and "testing our gear", making a shelter with a poncho or tarp. We like camping in the elements (snow/cold, rain, etc) to see what we need to imporve on. We make faraday cages, paint our weapons, garden, raise livestock, make water barrels and use our water filters. Oh, the list can go on and on.
But....are you practicing your medical skills or are you going to get out your first aid book when your spouse has that sucking chest wound?
If you are not practicing your medical skills, you will be in trouble. In a SHTF world, I believe that we will likely use medical skills often, maybe daily. Sure they will be mostly minor stuff, but you may be called upon to clean, suture and bandage that gashing leg wound caused by that sharp axe that glanced off the wood you were cutting. Can you suture yourself, do you have the skills, equipment and antibiotics? Which antibiotic is best?
I bet you know which weapon you have will be best for that must have shot 300 yds away.
What about the simple stuff? Bandaging, treating minor burns, splinters, blisters, poison ivy, foot fungus, groin fungus, heat rashes, boils/abcesses, etc. What do you do for a sprain or strain? Do you have ibuprofen or is tylenol better? Can you tell the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke...if you can't, your patient is at risk of dying.
I bet you know which shelter to make when you need to stay dry and warm.
What about the stuff that will need to be done quickly?
Arterial bleeding....can you stop it? Do you know where the pressure points are to stop the bleeding?
Sucking chest wounds...can you recognize it? Can you treat it without going to a book as you won't have time. If you do it wrong you will kill your patient.
Fractures....Can you recognize if they have compromised their neurovascular status? What do you do if they have? Can you do it?
Burns...What do you do for severe burns? What compromises a severe burn?
I bet you know which knife to use when you want to skin that deer.
I only named a few and this is not a comprehensive list.
I would suggest that many of us like to practice what is fun (and I like that too), but we still need to practice the boring stuff as well. I would urge you to spend $25 - $50 or so and get some medical supplies for training and practice.
I would ask that you don't forget to train your medical skill set as it may mean life or death for you or someone you love.
But....are you practicing your medical skills or are you going to get out your first aid book when your spouse has that sucking chest wound?
If you are not practicing your medical skills, you will be in trouble. In a SHTF world, I believe that we will likely use medical skills often, maybe daily. Sure they will be mostly minor stuff, but you may be called upon to clean, suture and bandage that gashing leg wound caused by that sharp axe that glanced off the wood you were cutting. Can you suture yourself, do you have the skills, equipment and antibiotics? Which antibiotic is best?
I bet you know which weapon you have will be best for that must have shot 300 yds away.
What about the simple stuff? Bandaging, treating minor burns, splinters, blisters, poison ivy, foot fungus, groin fungus, heat rashes, boils/abcesses, etc. What do you do for a sprain or strain? Do you have ibuprofen or is tylenol better? Can you tell the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke...if you can't, your patient is at risk of dying.
I bet you know which shelter to make when you need to stay dry and warm.
What about the stuff that will need to be done quickly?
Arterial bleeding....can you stop it? Do you know where the pressure points are to stop the bleeding?
Sucking chest wounds...can you recognize it? Can you treat it without going to a book as you won't have time. If you do it wrong you will kill your patient.
Fractures....Can you recognize if they have compromised their neurovascular status? What do you do if they have? Can you do it?
Burns...What do you do for severe burns? What compromises a severe burn?
I bet you know which knife to use when you want to skin that deer.
I only named a few and this is not a comprehensive list.
I would suggest that many of us like to practice what is fun (and I like that too), but we still need to practice the boring stuff as well. I would urge you to spend $25 - $50 or so and get some medical supplies for training and practice.
I would ask that you don't forget to train your medical skill set as it may mean life or death for you or someone you love.
Comment