Looking for "proper" First Aid class / course

[mikka1 2]

Hi everyone,

 

Can't really remember, if I already asked it here (if so, my apologies), but I am trying to find a "proper" First Aid course for myself. By saying "proper" I mean a course NOT to get a specific "formal" certificate / letter of completion or whatever might be required for security guards, those who work with kids etc., but rather a REAL course for those who want to obtain serious skills required to help a person in a potentially critical / life-threatening condition before help could arrive.

I am not looking to engage in it professionally at all, but as an example my wife has a recent history of very serious life-threatening allergic reactions to bee stings, so with our love to hike in wilder areas a lot this might really mean a difference between life and death. My parents are also obviously getting older and might potentially require urgent help at some point when waiting for an ambulance even if it is only 10-15 minute drive might not really be an option...

 

So, to summarize, I am looking for a First Aid class/course that would be:

a) tailored to non-medical professionals with a potential of being in remote areas / almost on full autonomy for a prolonged period of time (like long hunting / hiking / backpacking trips)

b) a real course, not just "please watch this movie and then form a line to get your completion certificate"

c) rich and actionable in terms of contents and areas / types of injuries / problems covered (not just "this is an automatic defibrillator, stick it here, press this button and it will do all the rest by itself")

 

I am not really constrained by specific time or other considerations, so if I see that a hypothetical week-long course for $800 will give me significantly more than a full-day course for $150, I will gladly consider the former and try to find some time for it.

 

Any advice (especially from those related to emergency aid) is more than appreciated!

[Vlad G 345]

If you are serious I think the answer is EMT school. I have a friend who went through it a few years back, but it is a serious investment of time.

[10X 3,296]

I've heard nothing but good things about the National Outdoor Leadership School first aid programs--from basic first aid right through EMT.  They're not held in this part of the country too often; on the other hand, most of the locations they do use are great vacation destinations.

 

https://www.nols.edu/portal/wmi/courses/

[Old Glock guy 1,127]

I'll be watching this thread, as I am interested in this as well.

[mikka1 2]

Vlad, 10X, thanks a lot!

This NOLS link looks amazing! This is pretty much what I was looking for.

I am not sure that I will be able to do one of EMT courses there (1 month + ~$3500 + potential cost of lodging there is a really serious investment, both financially and timewise...), but even EMT 3+1 looks much more realistic...

[checko 180]

There is a member on here putting together a first aid/trauma recognition course. I won't mention all the details cause he's still in the process but I'm hoping that it can be a success and I'd urge everyone in shooting sports to participate. I know I'll be first in line

[GJC88 0]

Check our safetynj.com, I know the president and while all their listed courses are for legitimately certificates all the instructors have decades of EMT, police, SWAT, and/or military experience. If you contact them and explain what you're looking for, they might be willing to throw something together. Like I said they're all tactically oriented with a focus on emergency medicine. But they're a business and certifications are easy to let people know what they'll get for what they're paying.

 

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[mikka1 2]

Check our safetynj.com, I know the president and while all their listed courses are for legitimately certificates all the instructors have decades of EMT, police, SWAT, and/or military experience. If you contact them and explain what you're looking for, they might be willing to throw something together. Like I said they're all tactically oriented with a focus on emergency medicine. But they're a business and certifications are easy to let people know what they'll get for what they're paying.

 

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Thanks for the link, I'll definitely check it.

One of the reasons I mentioned that I am not seeking some specific certification is that I had an experience of UT/FL firearm training with one of such "pure certification-oriented" institutions - I doubt I got anything new off that course, but I got my completion certificate that eventually got me UT and FL permits, so mission was technically accomplished. Here is quite a different story - I don't need any specific paper (though I am not against one if it is some well-developed curriculum), but I am rather after high-quality training...

[voyager9 3,434]

Full EMT is like 240 hours or something.. It also requires continuing education and renewal to keep current. It's definitely aimed at prehospital care (aka the minutes to an hour, not hours and days, to arrive at hospital). NOLS is very good. My brother went through their wilderness first responder program. Much more aimed at "stuck in the woods for days" and "where is the duct tape"-type scenarios.

 

I'll also add that both the above are useless unless you practice, use the skills to keep them fresh.

 

Best bet is to join local VFD or volunteer EMS organization. They'll put you through EMT and you'll be in a position to use the knowledge. And know it beyond the classroom environment.

[magnawing 5]

Check out the Red Cross First Responder Course. I used to be an instructor for them. It's a 16 hour course that is usually done in a weekend. It's intended for LEO, FD, and anyone else who responds to emergencies but isn't an EMT. It's open to anyone, however. It's basically an EMT lite training.

 

 

This signature is AWESOME!!!

[checko 180]

http://www.naemt.org/education/LEFR-TCC/LEFRTCC.aspx

 

This is what I'm looking for

[Arbelest 29]

Checko if you want a good TCC course check out tac-med in PA I took their emergency response to active shooters and basic tactical medicine course, great classes taught by very knowledge instructors.

www. tac-med .org

[magnawing 5]

http://www.naemt.org/education/LEFR-TCC/LEFRTCC.aspx

 

This is what I'm looking for

Mohegan Sun Casino in CT on May 29th...

 

 

This signature is AWESOME!!!