basic emergency equipment for storm chasers

[Shawna Davies]

Interesting thread here, some good information! I did a talk about this a couple of years ago at Chaser Con and a couple other venues. Douglas County, KS still has my ppp online in a PDF if anyone wishes to look at it. It basically gives some info on aiding First Responders, CERT classes, and how to decide when to get out of the way.

Here's the link:


http://www.douglas-county.com/depts/em/volunteering/docs/pdf/em_swspresentation_sdavies.pdf


Cheers,
Shawna

 

[joel ewing]

Complete overkill, and of no value to 99.9% of all storm chases.

I think it's safe to say that we're basically talking about the .01% of the time that we may need to respond medically in some manner.

 

[rdale]

I think it's safe to say that we're basically talking about the .01% of the time that we may need to respond medically in some manner.

Understood, but going through hundreds of hours of FF & EMT training just for that 0.01% seems like a bad call.

 

[Paul Racine]

Having been a Paramedic/Firefighter/USCG veteran and in EMS/Public safety for over 20 years I have a couple of thoughts on the subject. A Basic First Aid course as well as CPR training are good skills to have not only for chasing but also in general every day life. Both classes are very easy and inexpensive to actually get certified in. If you want to go a step up in First Aid EMT-B would be3 the next level with a couple hundred hours of training with recertification required every 2 years ( at least here in MN) and you need to be working in the field to get re-certified so First-aid classes would be easier to keep current on.

Having been Incident Command/lead medic on many MCI/large incidents I have come to appreciate help that just general people with some basic training can provide. Simple things such as basic bleeding control/splinting, stabilization skills can be immensely helpful as most of these skills are basic and can free up people with more skills to help those more in need. Basic Triage/START/RPM knowledge can be helpful to know the basics of and I am sure that this info can be found online(I have not taken the time to look).

A basic first aid kit with bandages, dressings, gloves, Kotex (these rock for laypeople and inexpensive) is easy and cheap to carry. You can easily add these to a "kit" you carry for yourself chasing with items as antacids, ibuprofen, aspirin, etc. You can also carry as much as you feel comfortable with using CORRECTLY and safely. I myself carry a pretty advanced/complete first aid kit, but then again look at my history of knowledge of using stuff like this working busy Major 911 areas for years as well as rural 2-3 hour drive time to hospital 911. As far as a Tourniquet goes I would NOT apply one unless you KNOW what you are doing as much worse damage can occur and if you apply one w/o having proper knowledge may be a bad thing as far as the Good Samaritan laws go. I also would advise against giving Aspirin to people complaining of chest pain because it is technically a medication and since you are not a Dr or someone working under one you may get in trouble for giving it to someone else.

First and foremost as some people have mentioned is that you yourself be safe. You can NOT help someone else if you become hurt/injured yourself and if you do there is just more strain on the system.

I apologize if this seems to jump around but that may be my ADHD running my brain/fingers. Having basic skills and knowing how to use them would be IMO the best things to have to help in scenarios like these.

 

[Karen St John]

Understood, but going through hundreds of hours of FF & EMT training just for that 0.01% seems like a bad call.

Unless of course, you are looking for a career change!

Which is certainly not uncommon in my area...

 

[James Wilson]

First off you have to know what you are doing if you are going to help at all. A kit and good intentions are nice but a mistake can ruin your life as well as the patient.

For starters --- GO TO A CPR CLASS!

Getting CPR training and emergency training is not that hard to do. Anything outside your training should be left to others. The best thing you can do is call emergency workers as soon as possible.

 

[Mike Krzywonski]

2010 CPR guidelines have been revised, making it easier/less intimidating in most cases: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23884566/

 

[Robert Keller]

First responders have to be very careful in dealing with emergencies, or face lawsuits. If you are in your first responder's jurisdiction area, I think it is appropriate. Anywhere out of your area, I would be prepared to save a life if someone were dying, but even something as extreme as someone hanging upside down in their seatbelt configuration is not extreme enough for you to intervene. If they go into shock, then it becomes a morality issue whether to let them die or to render assistance. I am no longer a first responder and I don't miss the potential lawsuits.