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Medical knowledge and medical supplies are used far more frequently than defensive tools in the United States. When I was much younger I had several things occur that helped me understand the benefits of understanding trauma care and remaining current with my training.

After watching an individual bleed out in front of me and being able to do nothing, and intervening and saving the life of two people trapped in a bad car wreck, I made the decision to learn as much medical knowledge as I could. This led me to search for solid instruction from real medical professionals.

At first, I was limited to learning from my friends in local Emergency Rooms, between them and EMT friends I was able to learn quite a bit. Of course, with time that knowledge became outdated and as a result I have over the years taken training regularly.

It is important to note that I am not a medical professional, I simply have enough experience and training to stop some major bleeds, assess the bleed, perform CPR, assess- insert and use any one of the top three utilized tourniquets, use a Halo Chest Seal, nasopharyngeal airway, and even suture or staple depending on need.

Obviously, it is my intent to never have to use any of this again. However, I also understand that medical knowledge is much more necessary in daily life than most people understand. Additionally, I have taught and continue to work with others from very young through the elderly in this and other areas.

In 2015 27.6 million people were treated in an emergency department for injuries. 2.8 million were hospitalized due to injuries and 214,000 people died from injuries in the United States. (Injury prevention and control, 2017) These numbers are fact, they are compiled from raw data and regardless your feelings on the CDC they keep very detailed records.

Now, firearms are used between 200,000 and 3 million times every year in self-defense, with most legitimate studies showing that a firearm is used closer to 3 million times. (Leshner, 2013) (For the naysayers understand that this is based on several agencies who did not want to release this data because it showed that the benefits outweighed the negatives.) The book referenced costs $38 and is worth reading if you have the chance.

Here is an excerpt, “studies…have found consistently lower injury rates among gun-using crime victims compared with victims who used other self-protective strategies.” Another quote is as follows, “The estimate of 3 million defensive uses per year is based on an extrapolation from a small number of responses taken from more than 19 national surveys.

The former estimate of 108,000 is difficult to interpret because respondents were not asked specifically about defensive gun use.” It should be noted that the book/study does its best to discount any use of firearms in defense, however, at no point does data support their assertions. Rather, the data clearly support the use of firearms in defense.

There is a simple reason for including the data that is available, it is not meant to build sides in an endlessly pointless political battle. The reason is that without data and facts one cannot know for certain what works and what does not.

In this case training in medical knowledge, specifically EMT or Trauma Care basics at a minimum is necessary to be well rounded as a solid individual practicing their natural rights. To this end, there are several solid schools in the United States.

When it comes to self-defense and the surrounding needs that accompany this, it is essential to have as much solid education and hands-on experience as possible. I would suggest the following for their training and reputable approach. All of the listed have embedded links directing you to them.

• Gunsite Academy (founded by Jeff Cooper)
• The Firearms Academy of Seattle (Marty Hays)
• Active Response Training
• Your local community college likely offers EMT/Trauma medicine classes which can be applied!

There are other schools around the United States today, however, not all of them offer classes at the same level that you will get in the above-mentioned locations. Certainly, there is a surplus of experienced Army (and marine/navy and even air force) Medics as a result of the 17-year war we have been involved in.

What I suggest when it comes to medical and firearms training is getting training from individuals who can prove their abilities and have a legitimate background in the area. There are several large schools that offer basic/intermediate instruction for firearms using the timeshare approach to teaching.

This means that while you get some benefit, the reality is you are cycled in and out as quickly as feasible and then sent endless emails and phone calls to beg you to upgrade your membership or sell it to your friends. A solid school and approach does not need to be sold.

So far we have established that having modern, basic medical training is an essential life-saving component of being prepared and carrying a concealed firearm for self-defense. What is important now is understanding that trauma based medical care has advanced greatly in the last 20 years alone and what worked even a decade ago or what you learned in medical school or a first aid class 5 years ago may no longer apply.

For instance, just in the past few years using tourniquets and what and how they are made has changed drastically. Make sure you get up to date training from individuals who understand and use these approaches.

Once you receive solid training you will need to put together a simple easily carried trauma kit for your personal use. This kit should be small, and, should include the following items these are the most important.

• Tourniquet, there are several types the SOFTT-W, SWAT-T and the CAT style tourniquets. While I personally use and practice with a CAT tourniquet the others have their place based on need and intent. Stopping the bleed is a term you will hear a lot in modern classes. This tool is used for extremities.
• Israeli Bandage or similar product, again the intent is to stop the bleed. This is used for non-extremities, bleeds that are on the trunk of your body or head is where this one will be used most.
• Bandages, both gauze 4×4 and 2×2 and standard Band-Aid bandages for smaller issues. Infection is a serious possibility and to avoid this you want to wash the wound with clean water and bandage it.
• Sheers, medical-grade sheers are absolutely necessary.
• Sterile individually wrapped nitrile gloves. Make sure you get the non-allergenic ones.
• A small bottle of sterile water for wound washing.
• Hypo-Allergenic medical adhesive tape
• CPR mask, you can get small disposable versions that work very well for an EDC kit. It is essential to have CPR supplies and KNOW how to apply CPR properly. Again, what was taught even 10 years ago is NOT what is being taught now.

The above are the very basics that are necessary for a trauma kit. All of this can be easily stored in a small package that can be worn on the belt, tucked in a pocket or purse easily. Some individuals I know often carry just the tourniquet and Israeli bandage based on space available.

This works when needed. For myself personally, I have a full trauma kit with everything from antibiotics through surgical needs. In addition to the large kit I have vehicle kits and then personal kits for each member of our family.

When it comes to my family their safety is something I take very seriously. I know that we are the only ones who can prevent problems or solve them as they occur, and that responders are quite often too late which is why deaths from injuries are quite high.

For myself and my family, prevention is worth far more than a “cure”. I teach them what I know and we all test our knowledge regularly so as to prevent stagnation. Active involvement with our environment is the easiest way to prevent issues from happening.

As with the other articles, please let me know if you see something that is missed and if so comment below. I learn daily and cannot learn if I do not know where I am making mistakes. Additionally, it should be noted again I am not a medical professional, I am simply a dad who trains and trained and practices to prevent issues in my and my families lives!

Thank you for reading and make sure to check out the links in the article for some great products, by purchasing through the links you support this site and allow the owner and individuals writing like myself to continue to put out solid material for your educational benefit.

Free the mind and the body will follow

Injury prevention and control (2017). Key Data and Statistics|WISQARS|Injury Center|CDC. [online] Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/overview/key_data.html [Accessed 9 Aug. 2018].

Leshner, A. (2013). Priorities for research to reduce the threat of firearm-related violence. 1st ed. Washington DC: The National Academies Press.

Further Study on DVD

• Gunshot Wound First Aid
• Basic First Aid Training
• Knife Wound First Aid

This article is meant to show you what training you should get for concealed carry. What is included in the article are references, links for additional training and resources and lastly definitions and descriptions. Always remember, make sure you and your family are safe before attempting to offer assistance to anyone. Never do so if it means sacrificing your own safety.

To answer what medical training you should get, you have to know why medical training is essential. It is important to note that I am not a medical professional, I simply have enough experience and training to stop some major bleeds, assess the bleed, perform CPR, assess- insert and use any one of the top three utilized tourniquets, use a Halo Chest Seal, nasopharyngeal airway and even suture or staple depending on need. I firmly recommend getting any training you can, when it comes to caring for your self and family, make sure you find the best that you can afford.

In 2015 27.6 million people were treated in an emergency department for injuries. Over 2.8 million were hospitalized due to injuries and 214,000 people died from injuries in the United States. (Injury prevention and control, 2017) These numbers are fact, they are compiled from raw data and regardless of your feelings on the CDC they keep very detailed records.

Now, firearms are used between 200,000 and 3 million times every year in self-defense, with most legitimate studies showing that a firearm is used closer to 3 million times. (Leshner, 2013) The book referenced costs $38 and is worth reading if you have the chance.

Here is an excerpt, “studies…have found consistently lower injury rates among gun-using crime victims compared with victims who used other self-protective strategies.” Another quote is as follows, “ The estimate of 3 million defensive uses per year is based on an extrapolation from a small number of responses taken from more than 19 national surveys.

The former estimate of 108,000 is difficult to interpret because respondents were not asked specifically about defensive gun use.” It should be noted that the book/study does its best to discount any use of firearms in defense, however, at no point does data support their assertions. Rather, the data clearly supports the use of firearms in defense.

Now that we understand why medical training is so essential to concealed carry, what medical training do we need to have? There is a phrase that has been popularized over the past few years, “stop the bleed.” What this phrase means is quite simple, train to stop bleeding. Medically there are other important items to consider, airway blockages, CPR and a few other important medical considerations.

For a concealed carrier, the plan should always be centered around what they may encounter most. In this case another individual with a knife, firearm or other deadly weapons. The damage that will occur from a wide variety of deadly weapons carried today regardless of location can range from penetrating or slash wounds causing rapid exsanguination (blood loss) and crushing injuries causing broken limbs coupled with exsanguination of the rapid or slow type both of which can result in death. Lastly, shock and or extreme trauma induced heart attacks and stress-related breathing issues can also result.

Interestingly the government has released a few little known publications in the public sphere regarding trauma care and the need for immediate action. For instance per the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, these are the five “simple” steps that may save a life. Call 9-1-1, Stay Safe, Stop the Bleeding, Position the Injured, Provide Comfort. (FEMA, 2014) Follow the links and take the on-line training, while it is not the same as hands-on training, this will help you better understand what is needed.

Additional bleeding control training is made available by the American College of Surgeons through the website, bleedingcontrol.org, lastly, FirstCareProvider offers instructor courses and has been endorsed by a few organizations that offer it legitimacy.

Care is a term coined and used by DHS and FEMA that stands for the following. Control bleeding with direct pressure or tourniquet. Airway improvement with recovery position. Respirations improve by covering open chest wounds. Exposure to the elements causes loss of heat. This can help understand the added training needs everyone who carries concealed should have as a precaution.

Find a course that offers you training in CARE as well as carries specific trauma care. Call 9-1-1 first, do not panic, panic prevents care from occurring. Control bleeding, find the source of bleeding. Open or remove the clothing over the wounded area so that you can see the wound. Head wounds will always bleed profusely, they will always seem very bad.

Pressure should be used on the head and trunk (body, not arm or leg) injuries. Using a clean cloth if possible, fold it and press firmly on the wound, hold a firm pressure and maintain that pressure until the paramedics arrive. Stopping the bleed is far more important at this stage than preventing infection.

Both should be attempted when possible, which is why I suggest wound cleaners and sterile gauze, homeostatic bandages and Israeli style bandages. However, this is not always the case, so stop the bleed first! If the wound is on the groin, trunk or close to the body and is deep and bleeding steadily, pack the wound using a clean cloth and if you have a trauma kit use your Israeli style bandage or a homeostatic bandage. I keep two of each in my vehicle-based trauma kits.

On extremities, legs and arms, unless close to the body, use a tourniquet. If you do not have a specialized modern tourniquet use a belt, long cloth rolled diagonally, 550 cord doubled or another similar device to stop the bleed. All pictures have been borrowed from the booklet stop the bleed (Pons & Jacobs, 2017)

Next is Airway improvement with recovery position. This is extremely important of the person is having difficulty breathing or has lost consciousness. Establish that the airway is not obstructed, the tongue is the most common obstruction. If you see a foreign object and it can be removed easily, remove it. Tilt the head back and lift the chin, this will straighten out the airway and make it easier for breathing to occur.

Using your CPR mask if you have one, place it over the victim’s mouth and nose, ensuring the head is tilted as can be seen in the attached picture, blow air into the mouth, two one-second breaths forcing the chest to rise and fall with each.

If the breaths do not cause the chest to rise and fall, engage in chest compressions. These are given differently for adults and children so make sure you take a course that teaches this! Chest compressions should be administered at a 30:2 ratio, meaning 30 chest compressions with two solid breaths in between.

Continue compressions until EMS arrives or the person begins to breathe on their own. If they begin to breathe on their own roll them into the recovery position, pictured here.

Respirations improve by covering open chest wounds. This part of care is more tricky and requires chest seals or again clean clothes applied directly to the wound area. Finding training in CARE will help you better understand what to do in this regard.

Not all wounds are the same, and all should be assessed and treated per the guidelines given in prior linked articles and through the application of learned materials from classes linked.

Lastly is Exposure to the elements causes loss of heat. This has a more simple solution, use a blanket or space blanket which should be carried in your trauma kit or vehicle. I keep two 90% or greater wool blankets inside of 9’ square tarps in my vehicles along with 2-4 small mylar space blankets in each trauma kit and in the vehicle.

Preventing exposure can increase the possibility of a beneficial outcome with someone who has been in a vehicle accident or other form of traumatic incident. If the person is unconscious, check for obstructions in the airway, check for bleeding and than place them in the recovery position inside of the blanket or space blanket.

For concealed carry the medical training you should get is the same as the medical training you should have for driving a vehicle, camping, hiking, bicycling and swimming activities. It is worth the time invested to ensure your training stays up to date as well.

New approaches are innovated quite often in the medical community and this means training does not end with your medical license 30 years ago or a course you took in the 80s for CPR. What is known and taught now is far different than what was taught in the 80s, 90s, and even in the early 2000s. Stay abreast of the new knowledge and utilize common sense.

Free the mind and the body will follow…

FEMA (2014). You Are the Help Until Help Arrives. Retrieved October 26, 2018, from https://community.fema.gov/until-help-arrives

Injury prevention and control (2017). Key Data and Statistics|WISQARS|Injury Center|CDC. Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/overview/key_data.html

Leshner, A. (2013). Priorities for research to reduce the threat of firearm-related violence. 1st ed. Washington DC: The National Academies Press.

Pons, P., & Jacobs, L. (2017). How to Stop the Bleed. Retrieved from https://www.bleedingcontrol.org/~/media/bleedingcontrol/files/stop%20the%20bleed%20booklet.ashx