I was wondering if anyone knew of any means to take training of some kind that is beyond CPR. So things like suturing and even basic medicine (this is what I call "Second Aid" as I have no other term to describe it, really). That is, training without going whole hog medical school or short-term training academy and spending thousands of dollars. I'm not even sure if this kind of thing would be possible as I am sure that the various medical organizations would most likely have restricted this from lay people.
The only lead I might have is something like Personal Support Worker or some kind of pseudo-nurse type thing, of a more advanced nature where training is to be had for the more advanced concepts (such as preparing and giving needles, open wound care, medicine preparation, etc). But I am sure suturing would not be part of the agenda...
So, basically I am asking for advice from those who have already sought out this kind of information and what they have gleaned. Or if there is an existing thread to point me there?
Thanks in advance.
If you are heading to the Survival Expo this summer, Dr.Bones & Nurse Amy will be there holding a suturing class.
I would also suggest their book...The Survival Medicine Handbook.
Other than that, try seeing if your employer needs to train an inhouse first aider.
Often, they have to have 1 per X number of employees per shift and get funded by the government to train them for free.
If they are in need...VOLUNTEER!
You can look at getting a Medical First Responder course. St. John Ambulance offers such a course over a week or a couple of long weekends. You could even volunteer with that organization to do some more on-the-job training and skill maintenance.
Another thing to mention is that there are lots of medical professionals out there. Look around your neighbourhood and you are likely to have a nurse, a doctor, paramedic, vet etc that lives around, if not more. While it may take months or years to gain sufficient medical expertise, it may only take a few minutes to make friends with them. Stock up in medical supplies and medicine on their behalf. If things ever turn sour, you can rely on their expertise and barter with your supplies.
I read a lot of people here (I'm not singling you out Geoste) that seem to have an obsession over learning how to suture. Getting training is one thing but getting supplies is another issue. I wish people were more interested in learning good bandaging techniques which realistically is more likely to be needed and in most cases, would work just as well as sutures. Remember that in most cases, we close with suture to have a nicer scar, but the butcher-like job of an un-skilled person wouldn't be worse than using butterflies closure or 3M Steri-strips covered with a proper and clean bandage. My $0.02.
Thoroughly agreed with what Helicopilot shared. Don't get fixated with learning "cool" skills, learn skills that are actually important, like staying healthy. Learn infectious diseases, their vectors, their symptoms, and treatments and their avoidance. Taking a 80 hour wilderness oriented first aid will provide excellent back ground in rudimentary patient support for long term care (more than 15 minutes), diagnoses and care of common conditions, splinting, joint relocation, wound care, infectious diseases and much more. Basic first aid and CPR can be summarized by stay calm, apply pressure, call 911 and say nice things.
Wilderness Survival and Bushcraft courses in Alberta
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You can look at getting a Medical First Responder course. St. John Ambulance offers such a course over a week or a couple of long weekends. You could even volunteer with that organization to do some more on-the-job training and skill maintenance.
Hmmm... yes I looked into that one, but that was a bit beyond my resources at the moment. Perhaps in the future I will.
I read a lot of people here (I'm not singling you out Geoste) that seem to have an obsession over learning how to suture. Getting training is one thing but getting supplies is another issue. I wish people were more interested in learning good bandaging techniques which realistically is more likely to be needed and in most cases...
Ah, yes, I do know about not obsessing over suturing or "cool" skills. I keep within my means. But thanks for the warning - it should serve someone in the future perhaps? And no offense taken, BTW, not in the slightest.
I am keeping in mind the other valuable knowledge areas, such as learning how to move a patient (i.e.: possible broken bones or worse: back or neck), dealing with shock, etc. And bandaging, most definitely.
I understand that those courses can be expensive ($800 I think). If you have some spare time though, do consider volunteering with your local VFD or with a first aid organization. They would provide that training to you at no charge.
Thanks again!!!