Is It Possible to Get Medical Training Without a Healthcare Background?

Basic Medical Skills

You can acquire essential medical skills without prior healthcare experience by enrolling in a wilderness first aid (WFA) course or a basic life support certification. These courses typically cover the basics of patient assessment, wound care, and fracture management. For example, the Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA) offers a WFA course that covers 16 critical skills, including patient assessment, bleeding control, and splinting. These skills are essential for managing common injuries and illnesses in a survival or prepper context.

Advanced Medical Training

If you’re interested in acquiring more advanced medical skills, consider enrolling in a certified emergency medical technician (EMT) course. EMT courses typically require a minimum of 120-150 hours of training and cover more complex medical topics, such as cardiac arrest management, advanced airway management, and pharmacology. For example, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) offers a certification program that requires a minimum of 120 hours of training and includes topics such as patient assessment, trauma care, and medical emergencies.

Building Your Medical Kit

Regardless of your level of medical training, it’s essential to build a comprehensive prepper medical kit. A well-stocked medical kit should include basic supplies, such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, and pain relievers, as well as more advanced supplies, such as sutures, splints, and medications. Consider the following numbers when building your medical kit: 1-2 liters of IV fluid, 10-20 bandages, and 5-10 splints. Additionally, consider the types of medications and supplies you’ll need for common survival scenarios, such as snake bites, allergic reactions, and altitude sickness.