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parabelum wrote:How much is the "Medic 1" class?

Either $300 or $350 for the the two days, depending on how far in advance you register.

I completed Lone Star Medics "Medic 1" class this past weekend. It was a good experience - a lot of information covered in two days. I came a way with a knowledge of what I needed in my First Aid bag, and the confidence to use them. He had a lot of hands-on examples for us to work with - tourniquets, bandages, chest seals, etc. It was great to get hands-on experience and determine which devices you were more comfortable with. For example, the Olaes and Israeli bandages are both elastic pressure bandages; the Israeli bandage has a plastic "C" on top that you have to weave the elastic through in order to apply the pressure to the wound; the Olaes bandage uses a different technique. While I liked the idea of the Israeli bandage, I found that when trying to use it under pressure (he had us do several mock scenarios), it could be tricky trying to weave the elastic into the "C"; I decided I prefer the Olaes bandage.

Another example - we used two different types of tourniquets - a "SOF-T Wide Tourniquet" and a "Combat Application Tourniquet", or CAT. Both are very similar, but there was one significant difference. For the CAT, in order to un-buckle the strap (such as if you have to slip it under the leg of someone lying on the ground), you then had to re-thread the end of the strap through a double-buckle. The SOF-T had a single clip you just clicked back togther. Again, neither is that difficult to do until you have to do it under pressure; in that case I much preferred the SOF-T.

We also learned to apply bandages, tourniquets, splints, etc. along with CPR and using an AED. Like I said, a lot of info in 2 days.

I contacted Lone Star Medics about their Range Response class, but they don't have any public classes scheduled for the rest of the year. He did have a Medic 1 class in July, so I've signed up for that, in large part based on the recommendations from this thread.

Class is on 7/15-16; I'll post an update afterwards.

tomneal wrote:Plus 2 for Lone Star Medics

Deb & I took their traumatic first aid class last year both of us recommend it.

I saw a "Dynamic First Aid" and a "Range Response" class listed on their website. The Range Response class is described as "If you are a firearms instructor, range officer, a match director, or just someone that spends their weekend out on the range; this course is for you! " I think I'll send them an email about a schedule; I didn't see this course listed on their up-coming calendar.

Thanks for the tips. I knew this group would come up with a good answer.

Looking for recommendations/suggestions on a good first aid course to take. As an instructor, I want to be as prepared as possible should things go bad at the range.

I saw a comment in a magazine article about a BLS course - Basic Life Support - and found one through the Red Cross called "Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers". It seems to be a good option, but I'm not sure if the "for Healthcare Providers" indicates it's not really what I'm looking for.

Any thoughts?