First aid and safety tips for dads, from a paramedic dad

Hey dads, Ryan here.

I'm a former fire captain, I spent more than 20 years as a paramedic, and I'm a dad of three. Those jobs taught me different things, and this blog is where I'm going to put them together.

What this blog is

Practical first aid and safety tips for dads. The everyday boo-boos, like scraped knees and splinters, and the scary moments that make your heart drop. I'll keep it short and plain, the way I'd explain it to a buddy at the ballfield.

I'm not here to make you a medic. I'm here to help you feel a little more ready, know what's worth having in the bag, and know when it's time to get help.

One thing up front: if it's an emergency, call 911. Nothing on this site replaces that call, your kid's doctor, or a hands-on first aid class. This is education, not medical advice.

Videos are coming

Most posts here will be video blogs. I'll record a short video, put it up on YouTube, and post it here with the written version right under it. Read it, watch it, or both. Whatever fits the five minutes you've got.

Where to start right now

If you want something to do tonight, start with the kit you already own:

• Look up how your kit grades. Kits get a letter grade on the same family rubric.
• Check what's in your trunk before the next drive. The car bag I start from is the MyMedic MyFAK.
• The house bag I start from is the MyMedic MyFAK (Large Pro).
• The trail bag I start from is the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Explorer.
• Build out a baby kit if there's a little one at home. The small ready-made tin is the Welly First Aid Kit, 130 count.
• Grab the free printable checklist and go through the bag by the door.

That's it for now. Thanks for being here. If there's a topic you want me to cover, I'd like to hear it.

Do more, make more, and win the day.

Ryan