First aid and CPR

[Richard Moren]

So in efforts to be a safer pilot... I recently obtained a first aid card through a class at the Red Cross.  I mentioned to the instructor that it might be beneficial to have hIm come to a club meeting and for those that are interested could participate in a first aid group class. Just a thought and he actually mentioned for a CPR card, they offer a LOL CPR class in a bar! Sounds fun but details on the next one are hard to find. I called the 572 number on the Red Cross's site and the lady knew nothing of what I was talking about... I had to guide her to the web page on the Red Cross's site. Anybody have any input as to where and when for this class?

[David Cantrell]

I like your ambition and persuit of excellance for the sport Rich, but all first aid won't make you a safer pilot. 

SIV clinics, mentoring, and the right mind set will lead you down the right path to be a safer pilot.

Don't give up the persuit Rich, its all good.

Dave

[skf...@effectnet.com]

But it could certainly help him rescue some unsafe or just plain unlucky pilots.

Sent from my HTC on the Now Network from Sprint!

[Richard Moren]

I couldn't agree with you more Dave. I just figured its a step in the right direction. And 1 less thing to have to "think" about in a time of essence. Id rather know what to do than guess and its required for a T3 pilot so why not get a head start on that side of it... :) still waiting for my glider from Bill bad bones at Rising Air. Just found out its a grand to fix it. So Im jonesin to fly and doing what I can to keep progression while my feet are on the ground.

[Glen Baker]

Hmm. I've been a first aid instructor for something like 23 years now and am now entering my 25th season as a ski patroller at Squaw, so I guess I've probably had the opportunity to see a few more first aid situations than most folks. There's really no mystery to first-aid, particularly when it comes to traumatic incidents. Assess and stabilize, determine the severity and risk for patient decline, make appropriate transportation procedures. Make them somebody else's problem as soon as possible.

I probably carry a few more first-aid supplies than I'm guessing others do, but there's no magic. Generally the most important thing you can bring to a first-aid situation is a cool head and a calm outlook. Reasonably smart people tend to do the right stuff in a surprisingly high percentage of cases.

In my mind the bigger issue is improvised transportation. I'm guessing that most pilots could adequately stabilize an injury, but how many could improvise a backboard if necessary? (not me, I've got 'em stacked up in patrol shacks and I can call for them on the radio). If the club were interested in something really useful it might be helpful to get somebody from the NOLS/WFR organization to come speak about issues regarding first aid in those situations where help is a long distance/long time away.

..glen

[Steve Forslund]

 I try and keep a decent first aid kit in my van and one thing that has been very useful are Sam Splints. A pile blanket in my car also has had use over the years.

SF

[Steed family]

A paraglidier harness plus a sturdy pole can be a pretty good stretcher, depending on the injury.  

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Date: Mon, 24 Sep 2012 15:14:16 -0700
Subject: Re: CPC: First aid and CPR
From: gl...@coakley-baker.com
To: rmor...@gmail.com
CC: daveca...@yahoo.com; cp...@googlegroups.com

[Glen Baker]

SAM splints are perhaps the single most useful device to carry. Add Kling, a few 4x4's or 3x3's and a few cravats and you're pretty much in business. 

[ceram...@gmail.com]

Im a big fan of duct tape.

My WFR taught me that if you cant duct it, f*#' it.

Canopy and some sticks for a stretcher.

-ryan

[Tom Chesnut]

Glen is totally on target here. The rescues that I have been part of when doing stuntwork or patrolling in the past as well as the rescues we have had to perform at the Rat Race over the past few years have typically entailed the exfil of the injured from remote areas. The best thing that we could have as a club in addition to an extensive First Aid / medical kit is a Stokes unit in my opinion. As Glen pointed out after asssessing the injured and taking steps to prevent exacerbation of pre existing injury, and taking precautions not to create any further trauma the most important thing to do is get the injured to an area where EMS can take over. By far the most straight forward way to do this is by Stokes. The injured can be fitted with cervical collar if necessary, then be secured to the Stokes and monitored while being carried to a convenient location for EMS. Just my opinion for what it's worth...

Fly High, Fly Far Fly safe!

TC

On Sunday, September 23, 2012 10:30:08 PM UTC-7, Richard Moren wrote:

[Erik O]

It is true that the best thing to bring to the scene of an accident is a clear head.  After having my WFR and Re-certs for the last 6 years, nothing I can think of would be better. 

In reality, while a backboard would be great, however, if you don't have enough hands to safely move a patient with a positive MOI ( Mechanism of Injury) for a spinal cord injury, and you don't hold a WFR cert that would allow you to examine and clear their spine so you don't need a back board.  Then it is in the patients best interest to avoid movement until people who have the expertise to move them arrive.   

I have been to very few sites where there were enough people to make an effective rescue before the pro's can get there.  If there are 5 pilots and at a site and 3 get in the air, and the 4th crashes on take off, you have the last pilot and maybe a driver to deal.  Not enough.  Having enough people is more commonly the exception then the rule.  The most important things to think about after the ABC's are patient comfort and maintaining a log of their status.  i.e.. take their pulse every 5 minutes, keep them warm.  If you want to be really prepared to deal, then take a WFR course.  if you want to make sure you at least have a good grasp on process when you forget everything, then buy this bandana for $6 bucks.  It has the entire patient assessment on it.  It will help you with remembering the important steps.  

http://store.nols.edu/store/pc/Patient-Assessment-Bandanna-3p26.htm