Review of today's IOCC class taught by Ed of Pathfinder Operations.
The executive summary: two thumbs up!
The class focused on immediate care for health issues you may encounter at the shooting range. Of course the first thing that comes to mind is a gunshot wound. Most of the class covered the direct and indirect damage that's caused by a bullet, and how to treat it until the victim can receive professional care. The class also covered other issues that may occur at the range: heatstroke, insect stings & allergic reactions, and even sunburn. The final hour of the class covered medical supplies and equipment that can carried on your person or in your vehicle to be prepared for an emergency.
Ed did a great job of staying "on mission" to teach us how to help a victim survive, and focused our attention on what was vital and what wasn't. For example, since most shooting ranges are within an hour or two of hospital care, infection isn't a concern in first aid. The victim will get antibiotics at the hospital regardless of prior treatment, so if sterile gauze isn't available at the range, use anything absorbent that is available. (I won't say what Ed suggested as an example. Even I have some sense of decorum. (grin))
Ed's advice on products and equipment was very practical, and he showed us how to equip a kit inexpensively. (Hint: Rite-Aid is a friend to you and your wallet.) He also gave some mini-reviews of products designed specially for emergency care, what he recommended (there were a couple, none terribly expensive) and what were a waste of money.
In spite of the occasionally dry subject matter, Ed kept it lively with his humor and anecdotes. Even though this was the first time he presented this particular class, there were only a couple of glitches in his slide presentations which were edited down from Pathfinder's more advanced LEO operator care class. Those should be fixed by the next time Ed presents this class.
In summary: great information, great presentation. and held to the topic very well. I recommend it for anybody who wants to be prepared for the worst at the range.
Dave
Necessity is the mother of invention, and laziness is the father.
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Originally Posted by slayers
