Med section?

[buzz_knox]

I believe such a forum would add considerable value. We tend to focus on the firearms aspect of training, even though we are far more likely to need medical training in our day to day lives.

[Gutshot John]

The same thing could be said about most of what is discussed here though, so it's not unique to medical issues.

"M4carbine told me that shotguns were outdated for home defense, so it's not my fault I shot my neighbor through the wall with a 5.56".

I agree, it's VERY informative and should be done, but part of that information process is understanding the consequences if you f*(k up. I don't think legal issues should stop this, I just think it needs to be included in the whole knowledge base. It ain't sexy, but it is important. Please believe me when I say that I genuinely see the need and support the creation of such a forum. But it's no substitute for formal training. If you shoot, you need medical training...period.

FirstI unlike home defense, in EMS there are groups of medical professionals that establish protocols and other standards of care. Paramedics for instance don't perform medicine themselves, they work under the "command" of a Doctor even if not in direct contact. "Command" in EMS means that he's given the paramedic authority to practice emergency medicine under his license. Even if the Paramedic acts in a manner consistent with these standards/protocols he can still be sued. If there is any deviation from those standards, then he will be held liable.

Second these medical standards vary from state-to-state and hospital to hospital. So what I may view as standard practice in PA, might be viewed as archaic or even too aggressive in California.

Lastly In the shooting scenario you mentioned it's your life in jeopardy, whereas in EMS it's a patient's life that's in jeopardy. I know it seems like an arbitrary distinction, but it only seems that way.

If it's self-aid that we're discussing than we can be much more aggressive in discussing techniques. When you start practicing on another caution is required. "Good Samaritans" meaning people without any training who through the best of intentions kill someone are given more liability protection than a medical professional and they can and are sued...often.

[rob_s]

From my own standpoint, self aid is WAY more interesting to me than helping others outside my immediate family. There are very few scenarios, if any, where I can see myself rendering aid to someone I don't now well enough to know that they aren't going to sue me.

[ST911]

I agree, it's informative and should be done, but part of that information process is understanding the consequences if you f*(k up. I don't think legal issues should stop this, I just think it needs to be included in the whole knowledge base. It ain't sexy, but it is important. Please believe me when I say that I genuinely see the need and support the creation of such a forum.

John- I understand and appreciate your concerns, but I think you're overthinking the issue a bit. As noted by others, one can expose themselves to liability just as readily through discussion of legal matters, tactics, and the like as they can whether or not to place which kind of TK, why relieving a ptx should be BLS, or what IFAK to carry and how to load it.

Look at the better sites with TEMS/EMS/etc forums and you'll find that they've adequately address issues with good moderators, good contributors, and an eye on what you've referenced.

[Gutshot John]

Getting off the topic at hand...I apologize.

People should be interested and should get training.

[Boomer10]

I'm very interested in this type of section on the board. I'm currently signed up for a course offered locally that is going to go over the basics and a limited amount of trauma info. I'm also looking to get as much info as possible (taking courses off base and on base). I'll admit, my liklihood of needing any of this info is slim (except for the occasional boo-boos at the gun club ), but it'd be nice to have.

[RogerinTPA]

Anyone have a link or two available for courses, by state, that stresses combat first aid/self aid?

[Batt 57]

Count me in... I kinda of put a bug in Rob's ear this weekend for the section.

I think we have a number of EMS types here that could contribute and make for some interesting discussion.

[HowardCohodas]

If we have analyzed this enough, how do we get started?

[Gutshot John]

In addition to First-Aid Skills/Gear, would it make sense to include "Survival Skills" and/or "Field Craft" under a heading?

Sort of like AR General, AR Technical etc...