Ya, you definitly took the wrong class. The CPR/AED class is what we call heartsaver AED, its extremely basic and only covers good cpr for adult and child (single rescuer), aed, choking, a tiny bit on drowning/ stroke signs and symptoms and thats basically it. We mostly teach them to coaches/counselors/teachers/cardiac patients, those type of people.

what you needed to take was BLS-original, much better class, and 8 hours is ridiculous for a heartsaver course. WFR is also very good and should probably have cert. you as a CFR which isnt much but its something. Don't worry about CPR for PRO rescuers at all if your planning on taking EMT. Your correct that its a requirement but its covered and you become certified automatically in the opening few weeks of EMT, no need to take it beforehand.

Two things I always offer to all my students, to all the parents in the room I always offer to teach there children a real heartsaver/AED class completely free of charge, and if they call in advance I always ask them if they want to bring them, as long as we aren't maxed out for student:instructor ratio I always let them stick with me and get certified, I also buy them a pocket face mask on my dime. good karma

As someone else already mentioned I will always also field any EMS questions I get asked as long as I make it clear that its outside their scope of knowledge for good samaritan and that i'm only speaking unofficially and giving advice for themselves or family, but if they want to hang around, again I will teach them any EMT skills they are interested in provided we take the time to teach it and then have them demo it to me so I can sign off on them, I'll always stay late for people who want these types of skills, especially infant rescue if they are a new mom or dad.

Basically, you can't teach basic first aid in just a sentence. You're going to have people thinking that bleeding control is as easy as dealing with a sprained ankle.

When you control bleeding, you do it at the point of the bleeding. Meaning, IN the wound, not just on top of the wound. Wound packing is a skill that must be taught, learned, and practiced hands-on. To tell someone that a shirt and an Ace bandage will fix "bad cuts" is doing a disservice to medical treatment, and to anyone wanting to learn actual medical skills and understanding.

whatev ft is correct

On another survival forum I was decisively REPRIMANDED for even suggesting the application of an IV for stabilization. I was told that only under supervision of certain personnel (like a dr's order) can an EMT start an IV. I have all the equipment, but I have been warned about the legalities AND the aftermath of an IV administration. In a SHFT situation, I would not hesitate if I have items on hand. I a situation where medical facilities are close at hand, I personally would use other First Aid measures.

Most important, take a class(es), then train. I can look at ballistic chart all day long, and I can understand what my bullet might do. Until I fire the rifle 500-1000 times, I really do not know what I am doing.

Just a little input from a newbie that got crushed on another forum. Damn, they were mean. All I was doing was asking was what essentials I needed in my primary med kit, and I happened to mention I had an IV set up. Lord help me!

Have a great one!

Pope

Referring back to that post about sword fern being good for relief from stinging nettles--

It's also helpful for poison ivy and poison oak, and often grows near them, as well.

I've also heard that the actual stinging hairs from the nettle can be extracted instantly from the skin by gently wiping the affected area with a chamois, or with the inside of a leather glove.

Nice to keep things like that in mind, just in case!