​Training and Why it's so Important

You've just purchased a medical kit and note its contents. You're familiar with some but aren't quite sure about all of the items. Perhaps you're curious how the hemostatic gauze actually helps to clot blood flow? Maybe you're not sure the correct placement of a tourniquet on an injured limb? And what the heck is a "vented" chest seal?!

Having a medical kit is a great first step. The best thing you can do for yourself, and quite possibly others, is to get quality training on the use of your kit, the signs and symptoms of various injuries and/or illnesses, how to determine the level of acuity (severity) of a victim and then how to administer the proper treatment.

Learning about medicine and medical treatment are very different from many other types of skill-sets. All skills have cognitive and psychomotor objectives and medicine is no different. The real difference with medicine comes in the form of knowledge. The ability to understand how and why an injury or illness affects the body and then subsequently how our treatments affect it also.

There are many companies that provide the above but don't just settle for the first one to pop up on your search! Email the company and ask specifics; What type(s) of training do they provide? What experience do their instructors have? Are their courses based on the most current recommendations from organizations such as the American College of Surgeons?

Another big factor to consider is what you hope to gain from a given course. Some courses put students under great stress and focus on very tense, "in-your-face" scenarios. Others are more didactic in nature. A few combine the two, to various extents. Knowing what you hope to learn from a course will guide you in determining which is the bet fit. Of course you can attend multiple courses from many different instructors/companies as well!

Having a medical kit is awesome. Having the knowledge and skills to help someone in their time of need is priceless! Do your research, get proper training and become an asset to yourself, your loved ones and society.

Be safe out there!