Whether you live in the city, in a rural area, on or off the grid, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to learn basic first aid and CPR. Emergency situations often require quick decisions. With proper training, you can successfully manage minor injuries and also help to stabilize someone during an emergency until medical personnel arrive. Proper training and knowledge will give you the confidence to go into action when other people are in a panic. It can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. It is not difficult to learn basic first aid. You just have to be motivated.
I have a long history of working in search and rescue, the fire department, and over 20 years as a medical professional. After all that time of dealing with medical emergencies, lots of things are second nature to me, including basic first aid. However, the average person in our culture is unprepared to deal with medical emergencies even in their own home, much less in the backwoods...
