Before I even start, I have to say you must talk with your doctor and find out whether your use of any of the products mentioned in this post, or indeed anywhere on this site, is appropriate for you. All statements are only personal opinion, and have not been approved by any authority or agency or anyone else whatsoever. And read our disclaimer statement.

And truly, a person must also learn the proper technique before using any of the products mentioned, or they may do more harm than good.

That said, I’d like to talk about a very difficult subject. Burns. If you get queasy thinking about medical problems, please stop reading now.

Burns can be life-threatening, even when they affect a relatively small portion of the body. A person can go into shock from any degree of burn. The more severe a burn, the higher the likelihood of shock, and the greater the chance a person can die from it. (more…)

Some time ago, I put together a few first aid materials in a case that could fit into my gym bag. Not much. Just the basics. Some Quik-Clot®, pressure bandage, gauze, other bandages, EMT scissors, glucose tabs, CPR mask, flashlight, gloves, alcohol wipes, trach kit, tourniquet.. a few other things. I wanted to be prepared in case something happened on the road or in the gym.

I’d load the bag into the car every time I used it, and I was getting tired of it. I mean, what are the chances, really, of needing it? That’s what I was asking myself. But I sighed, and threw it into the car anyway. Maybe for the last time. I headed into town.

About halfway there, traffic slowed for an accident. A moped rider had been creamed by a car. He was in the center of the road, bleeding and unconscious.

Amazingly, a friend of mine who is a Fire Dept. EMT had seen the accident happen and was kneeling over the victim. A critical care nurse from the local hospital got out of her car and joined him.

I parked safely, put on my hazard lights, and walked over with my bag. “Need any gear?” I asked.