Ever thought about what you would do if you are shot? Stabbed? Ever considered what you would do if help was a long way off?
If you work in a rural area, you may have considered that EMS may take 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or even longer to get to you. If you work in an urban area, those time delays may not seem possible, but they are. Consider the officers shot in the infamous Bank of America robbery in Hollywood, CA. Wounded officers were pinned down, and help could not evac them for a very long time.
You have to be able to provide for your own medical care if you are wounded. Circumstances or location may prevent a speedy EMS response, and until they arrive, you have to stop the bleeding, close the sucking chest wound, or otherwise stabilize yourself.
Most academies are teaching some form of First Responder program to new officers. But, when is the last time you had any refresher training? First aid skills are like any other: if you are not using them, you will lose them.
You should, at a minimum, read through your first aid books and other materials to keep the knowledge fresh. If your department doesn’t offer regular refresher training, swing by one of your fire stations and talk to the paramedics. Have them review the basic skills you might need to save your own life.
Having a small kit of first aid gear in your car, or in your bail-out bag, can allow you to self-treat in the field. Most of the time, the paramedics at the fire station can be talked into giving you some basic supplies you might need. I also suggest looking at some of the commercial trauma kits that are now available.
One of the kits is made by Calvary Arms and is available through Brownells. In addition to a variety of large bandages and pads, the kit includes Celox, a bleeding control agent that has been used with success in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Stay safe!
Additional resources:
- ECHO Group – BlueSheepdog Podcast #12: We talk about self care/buddy care for patrol officers.
- QuikClot Combat Gauze
Related posts:
- Trauma Pak with QuikClot for First Responders Review
- Disaster Response Kits for Police Officers – BlueSheepdog Podcast 020
- More Firearms Training and Officer Survival Training Added to Training Calendar
- Training to Drill, or Training for Real?
- Vehicle Stop Interdictions – Drug Interdiction for Patrol: Excellent Police Training Course from The Backup Training Corporation
I just purchased the kit from Calvary Arms through Brownells. The kit looks good and comes in a resealable plastic bag. I bought it to put into my bailout bag and will soon buy another one to go with my clan lab armor and gear. I was also looking at the Combat Action Tourniquet from North American Rescue http://www.narescue.com/category.aspx?SID=1&Category_ID=145. I spoke with a combat medic from a nearby swat team. He is a doctor assigned to the swat team. He had nothing but good things to say about the equipment from NAR. Good site and excellent catalog too.
Remember with Brownells, if you sign up with them and provide proof of being a law enforcement officer, you get the same wholesale prices as the gunsmiths. A BIG benefit.
Thanks for posting the link. I just read an article somewhere else (PoliceOne, I think) that also suggested the CAT from North American Rescue.
Good info about Brownells, also. I get the discount because I have a C&R FFL. I didn’t know they also give the discount to LEOs. There is a big price difference on some items!
Stay safe!
Richard
Thanks for the info, it serves as a great reminder. The number 1 cause of death in combat is blood loss so every medic or 1st aid bag must have a CAT or similar tourniquet.