Car wrecks

[Prepped123]

Two weeks ago Thursday I was involved in a car wreck car vs tree I worked late to many days and ended up falling asleep and ran off the road. Though it was my fault it did make me think a lot about what if there wasn't a 911 available I had an ambulance within 20 minitues I ended up with a cracked femar and had a gash on my head 4 inches down and 1 inch wide I just wonder what could be done to prepare for something like that again I already added to my replacement truck a seatbelt cutter and glass breaker because they had to pry my door open and am building a first aid kit to strap under my seat seeing that was the only thing that didn't basicly explode on impact any ideas other than those ?

 

[jimLE]

1st thing that comes to mind..is a pry bar,just in case it's needed to pry a door open..road flares,and just in case the type thats shot into the air.that way searchers can find you,when searching for you.walkie talkies,or cb radio,for communicating with them.

 

[jimLE]

i just looked at the pic..it's a wonder that your still alive..i hope that your doing better..

 

[Prepped123]

After 2 hours of surgery they repaired my leg and my head is completely healed

 

[Prepped123]

And I have a cb and ham and grms radios all in my truck not a single one survived impact I was said to have hit at 70 mph

 

[jimLE]

you were definitely looked after in that wreck

 

[Gazrok]

Most important to have with you.....someone else. Chances are, even if you had all the gear in the world in your vehicle, you simply may not be capable of administering it. Post SHTF, the buddy system will be key.

That said, I do always have a good first aid kit in the truck, as well as ingress/egress tools.

 

[Brent S]

Gaz, great point on the buddy system. No matter how prepared you think you are, sometimes you need help. I also like jams point on a flare or other way to attract help. I have a good emergency kit, but will add some sort of signal device soon.

 

[Clyde]

what if there wasn't a 911 available

One way to prepare the lack of 911, or cell service period is Amateur Radio. I have found this to be probably the most economical ways
to stay in contact with the world should cell service be in question for what ever reason.

To get licensed it is only a 35 question test in which you can miss up to 9 i believe.

The book I used to get my license is:

The author, Gordon West, WB6NOA is great. If you should have any questions he will answer your questions.
His office phone number is in each of his books (Technician Class, General Class, Extra Class).
The book is basically the entire question pool and the answer along with an explanation for the correct answer.
If you should have any questions about getting licensed feel free to send me a message.

 

[alabaster]

Wow, that's crazy. I was thinking first aid kit and training on how to actually use it. More of a trauma kit than a simple first aid kit. Learning to make a tourniquet, how to stitch, etc is invaluable. Not just for making it happen, but that knowledge brings a certain peace of mind that allows you to stay calm and cool when you face a crisis like that.

Glad you're okay.

 

[Clyde]

Wow, that's crazy. I was thinking first aid kit and training on how to actually use it. More of a trauma kit than a simple first aid kit. Learning to make a tourniquet, how to stitch, etc is invaluable. Not just for making it happen, but that knowledge brings a certain peace of mind that allows you to stay calm and cool when you face a crisis like that.

Glad you're okay.

I think learning trauma training would be a great idea! I should probably go find a class for myself!

 

[Brent S]

I think learning trauma training would be a great idea! I should probably go find a class for myself!

If you're a parent it's probably one of the smartest things you'll ever do. I never thought about going into the medical field before taking a first responder class in college. I took it for an easy credit, but enjoyed it so much I went to the EMT course the next semester. Even without kids, knowing some first aid is what prepping is all about. I liked first responder as it not only covered first aid, but had a lot of other things like how to get someone out of a car without doing more damage, and how to keep yourself safe in an emergency so you don't need to be rescued as well.

 

[Brent S]

Prepped123, I'm glad you're better. One second can change everything. I saw a commercial the other day on TV. It was a quiet suburban neighborhood, a woman driving down the street, doing a quick text on her phone. Then, wham, a horrific head on crash! Kids and others looking up shocked. It was one of the best public safety ads I've ever seen. Hope it makes a few people think. I'm all for this kind of real world consequence advertising. I heard someone saying that showing someone dying of cancer is too harsh to show children that smoking is bad for you??? Most movies have more graphic stuff in them on prime time TV.

 

[jimLE]

i agree with knowing first aid in every way possible..on account,a person not only capable of saving their own life(if they're capable of it,after receiving their injuries.)..but they can save other lives as well.plus that can keep a person from having to go into the hospital as well,that is if the injurys aint to bad...

 

[Clyde]

If you're a parent it's probably one of the smartest things you'll ever do. I never thought about going into the medical field before taking a first responder class in college. I took it for an easy credit, but enjoyed it so much I went to the EMT course the next semester. Even without kids, knowing some first aid is what prepping is all about. I liked first responder as it not only covered first aid, but had a lot of other things like how to get someone out of a car without doing more damage, and how to keep yourself safe in an emergency so you don't need to be rescued as well.

I have done first responder courses, and have actually used an AED a couple of times to save a heart attack patient.
I would like to take something more in depth. Not sure if there is a course that will teach how to stitch some one up, or the like. I know the EMT courses will teach how to do airways, always a good thing to know.

 

[Brent S]

I have done first responder courses, and have actually used an AED a couple of times to save a heart attack patient.
I would like to take something more in depth. Not sure if there is a course that will teach how to stitch some one up, or the like. I know the EMT courses will teach how to do airways, always a good thing to know.

I doubt that anyone other than the military will teach suturing, due to the liability. I did a lot as a surgical tech in the army, but in the real world all you do is pass the instruments to the doctor. Out here, with the lawsuit issues, I don't blame the doctors for only doing it themselves. With a suture pack and a needle holder, it's pretty easy to sew a wound back together. The idea is to just get the tissue to hold together, not squeeze it too tight, and not let it separate or open back up. There are different types of sutures, but the basics are either absorbable or non absorbable. Absorbable is for the deeper layers, and non is for the skin. It can be removed after the skin starts netting back together. You body will take care of the absorbable ones. It didn't take long to get a good looking style, although we did do it every day. Some of the techs never sutured at all, but if you showed an interest, and we're good at the job, they let you do a lot. Most people in the medical field were happy to train others if they showed competence and interest.

 

[Clyde]

I doubt that anyone other than the military will teach suturing, due to the liability. I did a lot as a surgical tech in the army, but in the real world all you do is pass the instruments to the doctor. Out here, with the lawsuit issues, I don't blame the doctors for only doing it themselves. With a suture pack and a needle holder, it's pretty easy to sew a wound back together. The idea is to just get the tissue to hold together, not squeeze it too tight, and not let it separate or open back up. There are different types of sutures, but the basics are either absorbable or non absorbable. Absorbable is for the deeper layers, and non is for the skin. It can be removed after the skin starts netting back together. You body will take care of the absorbable ones. It didn't take long to get a good looking style, although we did do it every day. Some of the techs never sutured at all, but if you showed an interest, and we're good at the job, they let you do a lot. Most people in the medical field were happy to train others if they showed competence and interest.

Thanks for the info.
maybe i can get my MD or at least PA from YouTube!

 

[Brent S]

Thanks for the info.
maybe i can get my MD or at least PA from YouTube!

You can buy suture packs from the web on lots of sites. There not real expensive if you want to practice on a piece of steak. Just make sure to remove the stitches before grilling it afterwards

 

[alabaster]

I doubt that anyone other than the military will teach suturing, due to the liability. I did a lot as a surgical tech in the army, but in the real world all you do is pass the instruments to the doctor. Out here, with the lawsuit issues, I don't blame the doctors for only doing it themselves. With a suture pack and a needle holder, it's pretty easy to sew a wound back together. The idea is to just get the tissue to hold together, not squeeze it too tight, and not let it separate or open back up. There are different types of sutures, but the basics are either absorbable or non absorbable. Absorbable is for the deeper layers, and non is for the skin. It can be removed after the skin starts netting back together. You body will take care of the absorbable ones. It didn't take long to get a good looking style, although we did do it every day. Some of the techs never sutured at all, but if you showed an interest, and we're good at the job, they let you do a lot. Most people in the medical field were happy to train others if they showed competence and interest.

You can learn that right on youtube! Practice on some raw chicken and you'll be surprised at how much you can learn! There is a doctor(I think I saw the link here on DPF) that was teaching this kind of thing on youtube.

 

[Gazrok]

Interesting idea....

I just checked my local community college, and they have an EMT program there. 11 credit hours at $104 per credit hour, so with lab fees, etc., probably around $1300 total. Something I always wanted to learn, even if I'm not out to become an EMT. Might do this at some point.