First Aid Training

np307

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I've recently been kicking around the idea of getting some first aid training. I'm a youth pastor, so I feel that warrants having some training, but I also wondered how well the Red Cross first aid training is. Right now I'm looking at doing a combo class of adult/pediatric first aid, cpr, and aed. Has anyone here been through one of these? What were your thoughts?

I posted in this section because, while I'm mainly looking into this for my job in case something happens, I'm also interested in it for all the other activities I do which carry a higher risk of injury. Eventually I'd like to take a course, maybe through REI, on back-country first aid, but the style of class I asked about is a more pressing need.
 
If you can swing the REI class soon it might be best to just get it. I would assume it would cover CPR, but I would make sure first. And it likely goes a bit more in depth than a basic class. Keep in mind it may also focus on improvising gear and techniques.

FWIW, my AED training was pretty basic. Here is an AED, follow the diagram for the paddles, push button. If it tells you to shock, clear everyone away and shock. If it tells you no shock is warranted keep in mind you may still have to do CPR. The AED just tells you it's not the solution at that point. You can have someone that is not shockable but still needs CPR.
 
If you are wanting first aid training I would recommend a medical responder certification. Some community colleges might still offer it. It is less intensive than EMT, but covers what you are looking for. Other than that, probably a first aid course through Red Cross might be your best option.

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Red Cross is good, REI is good, getting medical first responder is great.
 
Red Cross is what i did "back in the day" when CPR included mouth-to-mouth.
i bought a mouth shield, etc. now, it's about compression and AED technology.
even so....take an RC course for free. that will tell you if you need/want more.
 
Alright, I'll also look into medical responder training. One other big factor is that I'm starting grad school in the fall, so that may limit what i can jump into (I'm pleading ignorance on how long the training would be).
 
@np307 , what you end up taking depends on your goals. For 99% of the population an ARC basic 1st aid/CPR course is more than they need. EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) is a great in-depth course; not to the level of EMT, but far more than 'just' first aid. It is really focused toward, well, first responders: LEOs and FD personnel. The wilderness first aid stuff, good if you are in the outback, but teaches some skills that are relatively useless if you have a phone and/or car and can get to the emergency room or urgent care. EMR and WFA are long classes, and do take several weeks. Besides the Red Cross, the American heart Association has a first aid/CPR class. That or the ARC are your best bets.

I do teach; my focus is on trauma, and although I teach some general first aid, the classes I currently offer are more trauma-specific.

If you have any questions, let me know.
 
@np307 , what you end up taking depends on your goals. For 99% of the population an ARC basic 1st aid/CPR course is more than they need. EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) is a great in-depth course; not to the level of EMT, but far more than 'just' first aid. It is really focused toward, well, first responders: LEOs and FD personnel. The wilderness first aid stuff, good if you are in the outback, but teaches some skills that are relatively useless if you have a phone and/or car and can get to the emergency room or urgent care. EMR and WFA are long classes, and do take several weeks. Besides the Red Cross, the American heart Association has a first aid/CPR class. That or the ARC are your best bets.

I do teach; my focus is on trauma, and although I teach some general first aid, the classes I currently offer are more trauma-specific.

If you have any questions, let me know.
Thanks, that's the kind of info I was looking for.
 
Late responding to this...
If you are going to be outdoors, in an environment that may be more than an hour or two from a hospital, then consider WFA (Wilderness First Aid, 3days) or WFR (Wilderness First Responder, 90hrs. (Did mine in 8 days.)) These courses focus on situations where no one is coming soon and getting out to a hospital will take some time. As Chuckman said, if you're going to have ready access to 911 and EMS, then there may be skills you will not need or use.
Otherwise, your CPR course will generally include the AED training. Mine always have.
 
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