The Difference Between Life & Death: Knowing Trauma First Aid

When an accident or injury occurs, quick action and knowledge of trauma first aid techniques can mean the difference between life and death. Proper first aid training and supplies allow you to provide lifesaving assistance in critical moments before professional help arrives. 

Whether on the battlefield, in a remote wilderness area, or in your local community, being prepared with fundamental trauma response skills and tools can enable you to give others the best possible chance of survival and recovery.

At Kemp USA, we are proud to offer the latest in life-saving first aid supplies for EMS professionals and water-based rescue teams. Our commitment goes beyond just offering high-quality emergency supplies and equipment – we equip you with the information you need to effectively use these tools in emergency situations.

What do you need to know about trauma first aid, and how can you effectively equip your people or teams with the right tools for the job?

What Is Trauma First Aid?

Before you can treat an individual, it’s crucial to know whether or not the injury they’ve sustained can be classified as trauma. Trauma first aid is the immediate and often life-saving treatment given to an individual who has experienced a physical injury or wound that poses a threat to their health or well-being.

This type of first aid differs from basic first aid, where minor injuries such as cuts and scrapes are treated and may not require immediate medical attention.

Trauma first aid deals with more serious injuries, such as falls from heights, car accidents, gunshot wounds, and other types of significant trauma. In these situations, every second counts, so having the right knowledge and skills for trauma first aid is essential.

Trauma first aid is not just about treating the physical injury. It also involves assessing the individual’s mental state, providing emotional support, and creating a safe environment until professional medical help arrives. This can be especially important in situations where there are multiple victims or severe injuries that require immediate attention.

What Should You Do In A Trauma Situation?

When encountering a traumatic medical event, quick thinking and action are imperative - severe blood loss, in particular, demands an urgent response. 

Trauma first aid aims to assess and prioritize injuries, stop bleeding, prevent further harm, monitor vital signs, and keep the individual as stable as possible until professional help arrives.

Having an understanding of trauma's first response and basic techniques empowers you to potentially save a life when every second counts. Recommended immediate interventions when facing a traumatic injury include:

1. Assess the Situation: Take quick stock of potential safety hazards to the person and first aider. Determine the mechanism of injury, if possible, and the number of people involved. Call for expert backup as soon as possible.

2. Stop Severe Bleeding: Apply direct pressure and elevate bleeding extremities. For severe hemorrhaging, immediately apply a tourniquet above the wound and tighten it until the bleeding stops.

3. Protect the Wound: Remove clothing around the wound, clean the injury with saline, and cover/wrap the wound with a sterile dressing to avoid infection.

4. Check Airway & Breathing: Ensure the individual’s airway is clear of secretions, fluid, and vomit. Stabilize neck if spinal injury is suspected. Monitor breathing rate/depth and support oxygen intake if needed.

5. Treat for Shock: Keep the individual warm to maintain body temperature. Elevate legs about 12 inches if possible. Do not give food or drink.

6. Track Vital Signs: Note pulse, breathing rate, and responsiveness. Watch for worsening critical signs like pale skin, rapid breathing, and irregular pulse – as these may indicate the need for immediate medical attention.

7. Seek Medical Help: As soon as possible, call 911 or seek professional medical assistance immediately. It's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to potential injuries.

What is Stop The Bleed Training?

Stop the Bleed is a bleeding control training program intended to cultivate grassroots knowledge of proper trauma response across local communities. The course teaches easy-to-learn techniques that empower the general public to take fast, lifesaving action for victims of severe bleeding, complementing more advanced medical care later on.

Stop the Bleed focuses on key skills every competent first responder should know:

Bleeding Control Basics - How to assess injuries, call for help, apply direct pressure, pack wounds appropriately, correctly position victim

Tourniquet Application - When and how to correctly apply your fingers, a manufactured tourniquet, or improvised tourniquet to stop bleeding extremities

Packing & Dressing Wounds - Selecting proper bandages/dressings and packing methods depending on wound location and severity

Practical Training for Trauma Response - Instructor-monitored practice of critical hands-on skills like wound pressure, limb elevation, tourniquet tightening, and packing simulation

Stop The Bleed training not only provides the necessary skills to save lives but also empowers individuals to take action in emergency situations. Knowing what to do – and what tools and materials are necessary – can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation.

When Can Trauma Occur?

Traumatic injuries can happen anytime, anywhere. Proper trauma first aid training and supplies equip you to better handle common situations where prompt care means the difference between life and death:

Combat Trauma

Gunshots, sharps, explosion impacts - battlefield conditions often create complex and bloody injuries. 

Having every team member train in interventions like field tourniquets, hemostatic dressings, airway positioning under fire, casualty transport, and tactical care allows entire units to contribute avoiding preventable death.

Survival Trauma

In remote hiking, climbing, hunting, or disaster scenarios, immediate access to professional emergency response may be hours or days away. 

Whether facing trauma from animal attacks, falls, vehicle accidents, or extreme weather, applying survival first aid principles maximizes the health stability of victims facing delayed hospital transport.

Water Trauma

Boating, fishing, or swimming activities can quickly turn tragic for victims experiencing water-related trauma.

Drowning, near-drowning incidents, and injuries from boat propellers or other equipment can cause life-threatening situations that require immediate attention. Proper training in water rescue techniques and the right water rescue equipment can mean the difference between saving or losing a life.

Accident Trauma

Even in local community contexts, everyday accidents produce traumatic injuries demanding urgent care before paramedics can intervene.

From workplace equipment accidents and kitchen lacerations to playground falls or sports body collisions, having citizens understand bleeding control, shock reduction, airway management, and further injury prevention through quality training and wearable supplies institutes an extensive network of emergency care that ultimately saves lives.

What Products Are Necessary for Trauma Response?

When equipping your first aid kits for trauma preparedness, having the right specialized supplies can greatly enhance your ability to swiftly intervene and help.

From tourniquets and pressure dressings to chest seals and hemostatic agents, having access to these tools is crucial to ensure that a trauma victim has the best chance of survival.

Trauma / IFAK Kits

The Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) is a key tool for emergency trauma response. This compact kit contains all the necessary supplies to treat traumatic injuries, including tourniquets, hemostatic agents, chest seals, and more. IFAKs are designed to be easily carried by individuals and can be customized to meet specific needs or situations.

Kemp USA’s pre-packed trauma bags provide essential basics for trauma response in an organized, portable package. The Maxi Trauma Bag offers ample room to customize medical contents to needs, with adjustable compartments, reflective trim, and accessory loops for small items like airway openings. 

Kemp also offers convenient Bleeding Control Kits focused just on hemorrhage response tools like gauze, tourniquets, and wound packing resources. These kits are compact and easy to carry, making them ideal for first responders, law enforcement personnel, and even everyday citizens.

CAT Tourniquets

Combat Application Tourniquets (CAT) are a proven and effective tool for controlling severe bleeding in emergencies. Designed for use on limbs, these tourniquets use a windlass system to tighten and compress the affected area, stopping blood flow and allowing time for medical professionals to treat the wound.

A Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) utilizes a durable windlass tightening system to stop bleeding extremities. If needed, the CAT can be quickly applied one-handed over clothing, then tightened to cease blood flow. 

A securing strap locks the windlass in place, allowing the first aider to attend to other tasks until EMS arrives. The CAT's design avoids screws or clips for the most reliable use in unpredictable emergencies

Bandages

When all else fails, a good bandage can save the day. Whether it's for a minor scrape or a major laceration, having a variety of bandages in your first aid kit is crucial. Look for waterproof and adhesive options to ensure they stay in place even during physical activity.

Kemp USA offers triangular bandages that allow flexible wrapping support for wounds while also acting as slings for injured limbs. These multipurpose bandages come safety pinned for easier securing. 

Another option is compressed gauze pads – ideal for direct wound packing to stem heavy bleeding. Having a spectrum of bandage options ensures you can properly care for different trauma severity levels.

Other Trauma Products & Equipment

In addition to bandages, having other trauma products and equipment on hand is essential for any emergency situation. These can include:

Hemostatic agents – These are substances that help promote blood clotting and can be crucial in controlling bleeding. Look for hemostatic agents that are easy to apply and come in different forms such as powders, gauze or sprays.

Splints – In the case of broken bones or severe sprains, splints can provide support and stability until medical help arrives. Choose lightweight, adjustable splints that can accommodate different sizes and shapes of limbs.

Antibiotic ointment – In the event of an open wound, antibiotic ointment can help prevent infection and promote healing. Look for options that are safe to use on different types of injuries and have a long shelf life.

Pain relievers and antihistamines – A first aid kit should also include pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help manage any discomfort or pain from injuries.

Head immobilizers – For serious accidents involving head or neck injuries, having a head immobilizer in your first aid kit can help prevent further damage. Look for lightweight and adjustable options that can fit different head sizes.

Instant ice packs – Injuries such as sprains, strains or bruises can benefit from the application of cold therapy to reduce swelling and pain. Instant ice packs are easy to use and provide quick relief.

Where To Find Quality Trauma & First Aid Supplies

When equipping everyday citizens with trauma training and medical supplies, widespread access and community trust rely on wholesale providers focused on dependable solutions the public can easily obtain and manage in urgent scenarios. 

At Kemp USA, we specialize in providing scalable first aid product bundles, kits, and replenishment tailored to reinforce competencies from programs like Stop the Bleed while also meeting broader emergency readiness demands of workplaces, homeowners, schools activities programs, water rescue, and more.

Browse our continuously updated trauma solutions and first response product catalogue online, including:

Bleeding Control Kits

Advanced Trauma Bags & Backpacks

Tourniquets (CAT, SOF-T)

Bandages, Gauze, Steri-Strips & Wound Packing Items

Water Rescue Equipment

Patient Immobilization

CPR

And more!

Reliable wholesale supply combined with grassroots training equals empowered communities ready to take decisive lifesaving actions when faced with crisis. By making critical casualty response knowledge and gear available across society, we expand collective capacity to care, protect, and persevere across the trauma risks of an unpredictable world.

Kemp USA is a manufacturer and wholesaler for the EMS and Lifeguard industries. We do not sell to the general public. We have been in business for over 15 years. For more information please email us at [email protected] or visit our website: www.KempUSA.com
 
 
RELATED INFORMATION
 
 

SOCIALIZE WITH US

 
        
 
 

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAILS