Why You Absolutely Need to Master First Aid Skills
If you’re relatively new to survival and prepping, don’t underestimate the power of knowing first aid. Sure, you’ve probably got that basic kit lying around, but let’s get one thing straight: owning a first aid kit is not the same as knowing first aid. And to be clear – those cheap first aid kits for $10 or $20? They’re pretty much just paperweights if you don’t know how to use them.
The Real Deal: Don’t Just Collect Stuff
So you spent a few bucks on a first aid kit. That’s a start, but it’s not enough. Are you actually familiar with the supplies in it? Do you know how to use gauze, band-aids, or tweezers in a crunch? The first step is opening that kit and getting comfortable with what’s inside. Remember, in an emergency, those tools are only as good as your ability to use them.
Plan B: When The Kit’s Not Around
Let’s get real for a sec. What if your kit’s not there when you need it as you come across an emergency? Or you’ve used up all your supplies? Being resourceful is key. Think quick, use a clean cloth or even your own shirt as a makeshift bandage, and hold it in place with whatever you’ve got—zip ties, shoelaces, you name it. You’d be amazed at how resourceful you can get when you need to.
Small Injuries Can Turn Into Big Problems
Okay, let’s get real about something most people overlook. Imagine you’re caught in a flood. You’ve got a little scratch on your arm. Not a big deal, right? Wrong. In dirty situations like these, even small injuries can get infected and become major problems.
Watch Out For Common Injuries That You Can’t Ignore in a Survival Event
Cuts: More Than Skin Deep
If you’re stuck in a dangerous situation like after a tornado or flood, you can bet that cuts and scrapes are gonna happen. So, how do you handle them? First, find clean water—boil it if you can. Wash the wound and slap some antiseptic on it. If you’ve got antibiotic ointment, even better.
Usually, you’re in a nice, safe home where you can cleanse a wound, cover it, and head to the doctor if anything looks unusual period but in a survival event, these will be luxuries you may not have access to.
But if the grid goes down and there’s no clean water in your home for a long period of time, you may have other injuries that have to be addressed, such as a burn that someone got from trying to cook over an open fire.
Or, if you are in a worst-case scenario where you have to bug out into the wilderness, you may suffer all different kinds of seemingly minor injuries, that turn into something bigger without treatment.
You may not even have clean water to take care of an injury. And a simple first aid situation could turn into something where you have to save someone’s life by pairing whatever you can find around you with the knowledge you have gained ahead of time.
Dealing with Burns
With burns, it will depend on the degree of the burn. You might be cooking on an open fire and get a nasty burn. A small, first-degree burn? Cool it down and move on. But second and third-degree burns need more attention, because these blisters can open up and cause problems if the wound is not cooled to reduce inflammation and a burn cream with gauze applied to protect it.
Breaks and Sprains – You May Need to Get Crafty
Falling over a tree root or slipping on ice could result in a broken bone or sprained ankle. These injuries can seriously limit your mobility. For a makeshift splint, use flat, rigid items like boards or even sticks, and tie it tightly but not too tightly. The goal is to keep that injured area from moving around too much. Get creative with splints—sticks, belts, anything rigid can work. The aim is to keep the injured area as still as possible until you can get proper medical help.
Bugs: Small But Mighty Enemies
Don’t overlook bug bites, especially in a wilderness setting. If you or someone gets stung, get that stinger out ASAP. After that, clean it well. If you have antihistamines or an EpiPen for allergic reactions, now’s the time to use them.
Use What You Got, Even If It Seems Weird
In a pinch, you can get really creative. Ever think a menstrual pad could be a life-saving tool? Well, it can, if used as a bandage. Or how about using willow bark to ease pain? Sounds bizarre, but it works.
If you have an Aloe Vera plant, you can apply that to burns, and honey has been known to have antibacterial benefits as well. When you have this knowledge, it can help steer your survival gardening and purchasing decision ahead of time so that you have backup first aid supplies whenever needed.
Keep Your Cool and Make Smart Choices
Look, things can go south really fast, and when the adrenaline’s pumping, it’s easy to lose your cool. But you gotta be the rock everyone else can lean on. Quickly assess who needs help the most and take action. If someone’s gasping for air or choking, they’re your top priority, even over someone who’s bleeding.
You might recognize something specific is happening, such as slurred words indicating a stroke or someone grabbing their chest to showcase a potential heart attack. If multiple people are injured, you want to assess everyone quickly and focus on the person that needs the most help based on the severity of the issue, not necessarily what it looks like.
Lifesaving Stuff You Gotta Know
For some of the more severe first aid situations, more than a scratch or a headache, you and your survival party need to know how to address these. It’s important that others know how to handle these situations as well in case you are the one who is in need of assistance or if they get separated from the rest of the group.
Suture Skills: Because Sometimes Band-Aids Don’t Cut It
In extreme cases, you might need to stitch up a wound. It’s not pretty, but it’s crucial. Sterilize your needle and thread by boiling them, stitch carefully, and keep an eye on the wound for signs of infection afterward.
Learn the Life-Savers: CPR and Heimlich
CPR and the Heimlich maneuver are non-negotiable skills. Take a class, watch tutorials, do whatever you need to feel confident in these lifesaving techniques. They can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation.
Heatstroke and Hypothermia: Know the Signs
In extreme weather, heat stroke and hypothermia are real risks. If someone’s too hot, get them to a cooler place and hydrate them. If they’re too cold, bundle them up and get them to a warm place.
Keep Practicing, Stay Prepared
Remember, knowing first aid isn’t a one-time thing. You need to keep practicing. Run drills with your family or survival group. This isn’t just about gathering supplies; it’s about building the skills and confidence you’ll need to handle whatever life throws at you.
So don’t just sit there. Start learning, start practicing, and make sure you’re prepared for whatever comes your way. It’s not just about having the tools—it’s about knowing how to use them. And in a serious pinch, that knowledge could be the difference between life and death.
Now you know about First Aid Skills it is time to go to Part 12 – Why you Need to Master Essential Skills to Survive a Natural Disaster
If you missed Part 10 you can go check it out here: Part 10 – Why You Need to Invest in Emergency Communication