In 2018, a stall-spin accident at a no-go-around strip left a close friend pinned in his aircraft, unconscious and fighting for his life. The three of us who were not involved in the accident worked together to extract him, provide critical care, and get rescue services moving. Because of teamwork—and preparation—that day had a good ending.
I’m sharing this with our RAF community for one reason: as you prepare your airplane, your gear, and your flying skills for the coming season, please consider adding basic first aid training to your toolkit. Courses are widely available through organizations like the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and even low-cost online options through OSHA. And if you really want to be prepared, there are many Wilderness First Responder courses available that will prepare you for the unique circumstances you’ll likely face in the event of an accident in remote areas. Practical skills, including bleeding control, wound management, bandaging, splinting, spine stable patient packaging, hypothermia management, as well as treating illnesses and critical thinking skills, are covered in these courses.
