[at-l] Emergency Books

[thornel at attglobal.net (W F Thorneloe)]

I'd call your local Red Cross (where is that Bleeder Guy?) and ask for 
updates on CPR (essentially useless in backcountry) and first aid. I bet 
they will let you know of a course at a local church, hospital, YMCA, etc. 
I'd ask your school (Midlands Tech) about similar courses for you for the 
perceived need. This is taught in community colleges in Atlanta and Metro 
areas. Gear shops often offer such courses. I encourage folks to take them 
and critique them just as we would Frogg Toggs.

But much of this is taught in RUCKs and mini gatherings of hikers, also. 
Shane has previously discussed the multitude of first aid uses of gear. I 
don't really carry a first aid kit. My stuff (and some grey matter) is my 
first aid kit. Duct tape and a closed cell mat = splint for fractured long 
bone. (stay put, stay warm and wait for help) Duct tape and a bandana = 
pressure dressing for a laceration. (stay warm and hydrated and consider 
getting it sewn)

This isn't rocket science. If it is something you need to get from a book, 
do you think you will recall it when your heart is bumping 140 times a 
minute and you have a white bleeding thing sticking out your pants leg?

OrangeBug

At 09:40 AM 7/30/03 -0400, William Neal wrote:
>Plus, I was a "certified" CPR person at one time (do they still do that?).
>I could stumble through it now.  But I am sure if I read a good book or even
>a pamphlet on it, I could remember how to do it.
>
>All responses have been good and thought provoking.  But what books would
>you suggest to someone who has no avenues to good first-aid training and
>whose doc barely gives him the time of day?