Have you ever used your First Responder or Medical Training to help some one in a non Military Environment?

SSG John Erny — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 17:42:55 -0400

We get a lot medical training in the services, has it ever helped you out side of the military.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 5:45 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 17:45:06 -0400

Before I joined the Navy, I was a NY State Registered EMT. I also have a BS in Sports Therapy, which I received before I enlisted.

Response by SCPO Lee Pradia made Jun 16 at 2015 5:59 PM

SCPO Lee Pradia — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 17:59:45 -0400

I was an Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman returning from a conference, while flying over Arizona, an elderly gentleman went into cardiac arrest. I preformed CPR til we landed in Phoenix. Can you believe that the flight attendant asked to see my credentials?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 16 at 2015 7:36 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 19:36:28 -0400

Had to use the Heimlich on my own son. He started choking one night at the dinner table, stopped breathing turned blue. 2 slaps and 3 thrusts and out came a chunk of hot dog. Thank God for the training and instinct kicking in.

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made Jun 16 at 2015 7:40 PM

LTC Gavin Heater — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 19:40:45 -0400

I responded to a workplace injury involving a contractor who fell off a trailer onto asphalt while tagging a load and fell crumpled and unconscious two summers ago. I was assisted by a Marine Veteran who served in Vietnam and into the 1980s. We just we to work as a team and treated for shock, cuts and bruising, while stabilizing until EMTs arrived. This was not my first opportunity to render aid, just my most recent. These skills come in use.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 7:48 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 19:48:45 -0400

Had to use the Heimlich on my niece. She had tried swallowing some hard candy. Just a couple of thrust and the candy popped out.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 16 at 2015 10:31 PM

SSG John Erny — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 22:31:17 -0400

I came across a car wreck, I new spinal inuries were a major risk, turns out the father who was up and walking around was the one with the broken neck. The rest of the passengers were likely in shcok. If I had c-collars I would have putthem on all of them. I told the ambulance crew to bring C-collars before the came down the hill to the car.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 16 at 2015 11:03 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 23:03:48 -0400

Last year in Lincoln, NE a pedestrian was hit by a car. I'm not "qualified" as a First Responder but, I fell back to what I remembered:
1.) Start the breathing
2.) Stop the bleeding
3.) Treat for shock
4.) Call for help
A month after the accident, I got nice note from the victim. So, I suppose I have some Navy Corpsmen to thank as well.

Response by 1SG Dave Arpin made Jun 17 at 2015 1:27 AM

1SG Dave Arpin — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 01:27:22 -0400

But use it on the civilian side as a first responder before ambulance arrives.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jun 17 at 2015 6:11 AM

PO3 David Fries — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 06:11:31 -0400

I have been an Emergency Response Team member of both of the companies that had them since I've been out. Generally after they find out what I used to be, I get tasked with creating training programs. I also tend to be the one asked to treat anything beyond simple band aid stuff.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 17 at 2015 1:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:52:13 -0400

I am not in the medical field but I know that Humanitarian missions and National Disaster Preparedness and Recovery often requires medical folks.

Response by SSgt Dave Libbey made Jun 17 at 2015 1:56 PM

SSgt Dave Libbey — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 13:56:46 -0400

I witnessed a single car accident on I 270 a few months back. A Woman had rolled her truck. I pulled over to assist. I was not in my truck where I carry an aid bag but in my girlfriends POV so I had to make due with what I had. I designated a passer by to contact EMS. Got the vehicle righted with the help of some passers by and stabilized C-spine until another first responder stopped who happened to be another Marine and off duty EMT. I then made a makeshift tourniquet and applied it to the shoulder joint as the woman who was driving had suffered a compound fracture just above the wrist and there was some serious blood loss. I heard from a MO state trooper later when interviewed about what I saw and it sounded like the driver was going to be OK. I messaged every 'Doc' I have ever had and thanked them for all the training. TCCC is invaluable both in and out of the military.

Response by HN Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 4:08 PM

HN Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 16:08:35 -0400

I've done the Heimlich on my son when he was choking on a blueberry. My wife freaked out and I picked him up with one arm and hit his back with the palm of my hand and the blueberry went flying across the room. I also saved an elderly lady in the parking lot of Chili's. The woman had stopped breathing. Her mom was begging people for help and no one knew what to do. My training kicked in, I laid her on the concrete and tilted her head back to open her airway. My wife handed me my med bag from the car and I was about to start giving her breaths, but all of the sudden she started breathing again. Minutes later she was conscious and talking to me. She told me to leave her alone (funny). Soon after that EMTs arrived and took over. A police officer shook my hand and thanked me, and so did the relatives. My wife said she had never seen me like that before. She said I went zombie mode because I didn't talk or anything I just looked very serious and very focused.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 21 at 2015 6:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 18:21:59 -0400

I helped a woman who had an epileptic seizure. I just did what felt to be natural instinct.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 1:07 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 01:07:11 -0400

A man posted to a forum on Facebook stating that he was about to commit suicide. I didn't know him, but we all talked to him and we got enough information from his profile to notify his local authorities and get him some help

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2015 9:56 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 21:56:43 -0400

I'm willing to help but I don't want to get sued.

Response by CPO Antonio Caudillo made Mar 20 at 2017 11:14 AM

CPO Antonio Caudillo — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 11:14:47 -0400

Yes i have almost in everyday experience. I live it

Response by PO2 Danetta Troisi made Mar 28 at 2017 6:43 PM

PO2 Danetta Troisi — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 18:43:44 -0400

I used my training a few times in the civilian world. My training as a HM was definitely a plus in rendering aid when I did.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2017 1:59 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 May 2017 13:59:37 -0400

Not medical, but, I used a fire extinguisher I had in my car to put out a fire in a Cadillac that was pulled unto the shoulder.

The guy was very appreciative. We got it before it had done much damage. He actually was able to drive on.

Response by PO3 Ronald Shaffer made May 28 at 2017 2:00 PM

PO3 Ronald Shaffer — Sun, 28 May 2017 14:00:32 -0400

I have done it many times. On a plane between Philly and Houston a Diabetic guy went unresponsive low blood sugar got him some OJ after I wok him up. I some how find car accidents I've stopped any many of them. I even used my ship board fire fighting and put out 2 car fires. Yeah the stuff just finds me

Response by PO1 Robert Johnson made Jun 10 at 2017 1:12 PM

PO1 Robert Johnson — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 13:12:13 -0400

I have used my HM skills on several occasions in civilian settings. In one instance we were traveling and came upon a vehicle accident with a driver unconscious and bleeding profusely from a broken clavicle protruding through his neck. I stabilized his head and neck and applied pressure to control the bleeding. First responders arrived about ten minutes later and took over. They were really into trying to get my information, certifications, etc. I said "Thanks, but no thanks." I Didn't want recognition or kudos, or worse, a visit from an attorney. Two days later the local newspaper ran the story and the man survived.

Response by PO3 Marty Gallagher made Jun 14 at 2017 11:07 PM

PO3 Marty Gallagher — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 23:07:52 -0400

You don't have to worry about using your skills from the military in the civilian world. There is the good Samaritan act in all states that as long as you don't act out of your scope of practice you cant get sued. Navy corpsman, NY firefighter, now Myrtle Beach golfer and ff/fr your well trained and might as well use it!!

Response by PO2 Gary Donnelly made Jul 8 at 2017 5:37 AM

PO2 Gary Donnelly — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 05:37:46 -0400

yes

Response by PO1 Tim Fox made Dec 14 at 2023 6:37 PM

PO1 Tim Fox — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 18:37:59 -0500

Yes, several times