On Tue, 6 Jul 2004 21:45:26 -0700, Brian Burger
wrote:

Related to the 'what survival equipment do you carry' questions:

How many people here have any sort of First Aid/CPR training, or have
considered getting some?

If you've had training, are you legally & practically current in it? A CPR
ticket is legally valid for three years - practical currency, as always,
is another matter!

I did a Red Cross Standard First Aid & CPR 'C' course in November 2003;
I've skimmed through my textbook & class-notes a few times since, most
recently when I burnt my ankle with v. hot tea!

There's a St. John's Ambulance Wilderness First Aid course here in town
this fall that I'm seriously considering signing up for, too. Outside of
accidents in the hanger, pilots could well face a wilderness first aid
situation after a forced landing, where 'make the victim comfortable then
call 911' just isn't an option.

Compared to the costs of actually flying, these are inexpensive courses;
the Red Cross Standard First Aid was $80 Cdn (~$60 USD); the Wilderness
one is $180 Cdn (~$140 USD).

So, what First Aid training do people have?

Brian.

dont go overboard on the training most of it is quite simple.

1. if you think you are going to prang you have the wrong attitude to
flying and maintenance. your certified engine has no reason not to
make 2000 hours trouble free if the maintenance is sound. no reason at
all. prevention is far better than experience when it comes to
accidents.

2. first aid is quite simple for 99% of cases.

if a person is on their way out of life firstly their breathing stops
or their airway gets obstructed. 300 seconds later (roughly) their
heart runs out of oxygen and stops.

the heart never stops while they are breathing.

the priority for first aid is to keep the airway clear and
unobstructed.
if some one is out of it, roll them on their side, gently move the
head back and pull their jaw up to keep the trachea open.
make sure they havent swallowed their tongue.
they will be quite comfortable in that position for a few hours.

all of the rest of the mickey mouse training is really devoted to half
of the remaining 1% of situations and can be looked at in that light
quite competently.

3. gentle pressure to the area will stop most bleeding

4. it helps the thinking considerably if you dont panic.

there you go. that's the crux of a 2 day $120 dollar first aid course.
just as an aid to getting the priorities right, in a year working in a
busy hospital with really frail, injured and sick people I've never
needed to give first aid ever. in your flying you'll be dealing with
healthy people.

Stealth Pilot