For first aid, I joined the National Ski Patrol, (which also gives me free skiing, but there are a lot of little expenses), but Classes are also given through the Red Cross. Our classes rate us at EMT Basic, which is basic outdoor Emergency care..how to keep people going, and hand;e broken bones until the Ambulance arrives. It's a good feeling to know what to do.
I've wanted to do it for years, but like you, just never got around to it...then, about 3 years ago, we had a group of students in our studio, when a girl fainted...which technically is a form of shock...and I had no idea what to do..so within 2 weeks, I was in the class..our program takes about 6 months overall (with enhancements all the time) so it's pretty grueling, but worth it.
In addition to all the skiing injuries I've taken care of, I have had occation to use it on the street..the summer before last, I was riding down the street when I looked over and saw a crowd of people around a guy on the ground, and there was a lot of blood. I stopped, and it seems it was a homeless drunk on a bicycle, who went down a hill, aiming directly at a sign...he couldn't steer out of the way, and somehow hit the edge of the sign with the back of his head, leaving a huge gash...a woman was holding the back of his head (applying pressure) so I checked him over and took vitals, and got him ready for the paramedics...the only problem was, I didn't have my first aid kit on my bike, so I had no gloves, so I couldn't help with the cut (Gloves are VERY important in todays world)...now I have a kit on my bike at all times...
However you do it, I think it's important to know this stuff...the amount of time between when you see an accident and when the ambulance arrives can be enough to kill someone...I've become an EMT Basic, and am also certified in Professional level CPR and the use of Automatic Defibrillators, and I think it's about the best thing I've ever done.
