Here are three things police officers should consider relative to medical emergencies:
1. Are you ready?
At the very least, make sure you are trained to deliver basic first aid. More advanced is even better. Police are often first on the scene of a medical emergency, so be sure you’re ready to provide preliminary care while waiting for EMS to arrive. This is particularly important if you’re in a rural area where EMS response may be delayed. The aid you’re prepared to render can be lifesaving.
Also, be sure you’re trained to render combat-level emergency care to a fellow officer, or yourself, should things go south. Be prepared to deal with gunshot wounds, knife wounds and major blunt trauma. If you find yourself facing a major crisis in the field, you don’t want to be standing around helpless. Seconds count!
2. Is your kit ready?
Consider consulting with your local EMS agency or fire department, nurse or physician about what you should carry in your first aid/trauma kit. Discuss everything from bandage sizes and shapes to tourniquets.
3. Are you specifically trained for your region?
Take regional anomalies into consideration when you’re training for first-aid response so you’re prepared for medical emergencies you might see more often than others from different areas. If you’re near lots of water, train for handle water emergencies. If you’re in the mountains where there are lots of hikers, be prepared to deal with fall-related injuries. If you’re in a densely populated city, be ready to deal with people who have been hit by cars.