How can you prepare for “what if”? How do you plan for every contingency? How do you stay safe while having fun adventures with your dog? It starts with the most valuable tool in our human toolbox. It starts with our brain.
No matter how much you prepare, there is always going to be something come up that you didn’t foresee or thought was so improbable you didn’t carry the right tools for the situation. The danger comes when we allow this to defeat us in the moment.
The most important thing you can do is establish a mindset of working the problem in front of you. Not worrying about the myriad of complications or the complexity of it all. But narrowing down to the most critical and immediate problem that you are presented with and working that problem until it is no longer the most critical and immediate. Then working your way forward through each and every layer of the situation until you can be comfortable that you are no longer in a critical, immediate, emergent situation. Not easy to say/type and definitely not easy to execute – especially under pressure. It is something you practice, it is a mantra you repeat, it has to become part of your nature and basic response. It takes time, so start now.
It is also important to work scenarios out in your mind. They don’t have to be exact or overly detailed. Start with general situations and I can guarantee your mind will keep presenting you with new ones constantly. It is an exercise. What is your biggest fear? Snake bite? Bleeding wound? Internal trauma? It doesn’t matter. Pick the scenario and play it out in your mind. What would you do? Do you even have an idea? If you don’t know what you would do or should do, then start your research. Even if you think you know what to do, do research to make sure you are right. Think about the tools you would need to resolve the situation. Think about alternatives if the ideal tool isn’t available. Below I will list some resources for you to begin the process of educating yourself.
The next most important thing you can do is establish an excellent relationship of trust and mutual respect with your dog(s). Your dog following basic commands regardless of where you are and what is going on. You trusting your dog to make good decisions for them in the moment. Both you and your dog having lots of experiences together so that you have an excellent foundation of communication.
Risks during scary moments increase without these foundations solidly in place. No amount of training will ever be perfect. There is always a situation that will trip up you or your dog, but if you have the fundamentals, you will most likely come out the other side wiser and smarter – rather than sadder and without your friend.
The last thing I work on is my EDC (every day carry). This is a set of tools that go with me everywhere – at home, out for a walk in the neighborhood, hike in the woods, traveling, camping, everywhere. I have different EDCs for different scenarios. At home it might be pretty small because my medicine cabinet and toolbox are right at hand. In the truck, a different EDC. My going for a walk around the block EDC is different from my hike in the woods EDC. My flying EDC is different from my driving EDC.
What I want you to understand is that what I carry is constantly evolving and changing but there are some fundamentals that I cover no matter what, so hopefully this helps you figure out your own solution.
Basic Kit:
- Trauma: blunt force, puncture, bleeding, airway. This requires the ability to stop external bleeding, clean and secure open wounds, clean sensitive external organs (eyes, ears, mouth, nose, genitals, anal/urinary), stabilize internal/external injuries. Clotting agents, wraps, bandages, splints, large towel/blanket, sterile washes, iodine, warm/cold packs, booties/foot coverings, coat.
- Physiological response: Pain, toxin, anaphylaxis, histamine, debris. Much of this is medicines – Benadryl, Epi-Pen, Hydrogen Peroxide, charcoal, washes, baking soda, ice/heat packs, coat, blanket/towel, booties/foot coverings.
- Minor injuries: cuts, abrasions, debris in the eyes/ears/nose/mouth, ticks, insect bites/stings, soreness. Basic pain medication, bandages, ointments, tweezers, washes.
- Personal Safety: gloves, hat, sunglasses, goggles, duct tape, filtration mask, hearing protection, neck gaiter, leg gaiters, rubber bands, heavy balloons, water, food, trowel/small shovel, multi-tool/knife, flashlight/headlamp, lighter/matches, whistle, GPS communication device.
Two is One. One is None.
You don’t need to carry a lot of supplies, but have enough to treat every member of your party at least twice. Then if multiple injuries occur, you don’t run out of supplies and if your stay where you are is extended, you have the ability to redress a treated wound. It also gives you extras if you make a mistake and need to start over. Nerves will get the best of you, extra supplies give you a second chance.
Always carry water and food for you and your dogs. Always more than you think you need. Anytime I come back from an outing and I’ve used all my water or food, I increase the amount I take the next time.
Don’t become overly dependent on having the right tool, medicine or treatment for every scenario. You can stop bleeding a lot of ways, you can stabilize a wound or trauma a lot of ways with basic stuff in your environment. The key is to understand the fundamentals and then have the mindset to adapt what you have to work the problem you are presented with. If you can develop this as a skill and as something you enjoy as a challenge, you will always be well prepared to adventure.
Resources:
- Your Veterinarian: Ask them about field first aid. Good Veterinary clinics often offer basic first aid/emergency first aid or know local resources where you can learn. They can also make recommendations for a good home first aid kit, travel kit and pocket kit. They are also a good resource for building a home medication set of both OTC (over the counter) and prescription medications.
- The American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/cat-dog-first-aid
- Google: google Pet First Aid and you will get a long list of online and in person resources. Do your research. They all won’t be equal and they will only be a starting point.
- EMT/Field medicine courses: inclusion in this list does not mean an endorsement of the product or services offered. Do your own research. Make your own determination.
- https://www.k9medic.com
- https://www.911tacmed.com/k-9-medical.html
- http://www.k9tecc.org
- https://www.animalemt.com/first-responders-and-k9-handlers
Great Advice! Thanks for putting it out there.
Thank you so much for the feedback.