If you're just starting and need a Medical Guide you could do a lot worse

[Sarge7402]

http://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/milmed/ships.pdf

[DerBiermeister]

Page 62: Petroleum dressings on burns?

I don't think so.

Yeah -- I just read the section (page 1-35) on Avulsions. I am now entering 8 months recovering from a LARGE avulsion on my lower calf. I am almost totally healed now, but it was awful at first. So I speak with some authority. The ONLY thing you do immediately is to thoroughly (min 15 minutes) flush out the area with saline water, suture the wound (if possible) and then apply a sterile pressure dressing. Change the dressing at least once a day and clean again with saline water. The most accepted treatment is known as Wet To Dry dressing. By placing a wet (or moist) gauze dressing on your wound and allowing it to dry, wound drainage and dead tissue can be removed when you take off the old dressing.

Forget this petroleum stuff or any other ointment, etc., as you do not want to put anything on the wound, not even something like Neosporin. If an infection does occur, you take oral antibiotics. After a week or so, you get with a physician to evaluate the necrosis involvement. They will always remove dead tissue. They are hoping to see nice red meat underneath. Looks gross, but believe me that is what is best.

[pheniox17]

If you want a med book, look at pre 2000 editions of something like st johns ambulance first aid guide (if you can find a 95 edition your laughing)

Some areas (due to age) are extremely out of date, but the bulk of the core information has been the same for 50+ years

But the plus, was written before over regulation due to legal actions, also with the possibility of going toa remote area (today ems is a lot better, combine mobile phones with the added funding to air services the delay of treatment is now no longer than a few hours, back then it was a lot longer.. so first aid had a diffrent focus

[1moretoy]

I burned my leg pretty good in a motorcycle accident years ago and tried to self medicate and dress the wound. I used Neosporin and gauze. After day four and not even being able to stand on that leg, I went to the Dr. I got the old "never put that stuff on a burn cause it will cause an infection" discussion.

[Montana Rancher]

My 2 suggestions would be

http://www.amazon.com/Where-There-Is-No-Doctor/dp/0942364155

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_20?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=where+there+is+no+dentist&sprefix=where+there+is+no+de%2Cstripbooks%2C340

Get hard copies as they are the only reliable medium

[Arklatex]

I have those books Montana mentioned. They are great once you get past all the tribal bs.

Another good one is the survival medicine handbook. It can be had cheaper but it is worth it even at this price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/391005304874?lpid=82

[Jeep]

It all comes down to stop the bleeding, start the breathing, or vice versa if its enemy. First aid is not difficult, long term care is.

[DerBiermeister]

It all comes down to stop the bleeding, start the breathing, or vice versa if its enemy. First aid is not difficult, long term care is.

You bet. I've had on order from Armor 500 (for about 4 months -- they are backordered) these two kits:

(this will be my main trauma medical kit)
http://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-armor-tactical-epik-ifak-coyote.html#.VJ7Qvicc

(this one to carry in my range bag)
http://www.ar500armor.com/ar500-armor-pocket-epik.html#.VJ7Q-icc

I am fortunate in that in the past, I had a lot of EMT training (for a ten year period), including being a Cardiac Technician for the State Of Virginia. Been away from it for quite awhile, but it is kind of like riding a bicycle.

[Arklatex]

Those books are useful for things besides gunshot wounds. They help you deal with things like infection, worms, childbirth, flu, rehydration, etc, etc. With a minimum of equipment and explained in layman's terms.

[Jeep]

Provided I have them on hand I can start IV's and give shots, so I am a little more comfy than the average bear with first aid.