When disaster strikes, the ability to provide medical help can save lives — including your own. Building real-world skills in first aid, trauma care, and emergency response is one of the most important parts of preparedness.
Below are essential training programs to consider, along with trusted resources where you can learn more or find courses near you.
1. Basic First Aid & CPR/AED Training
Learn how to recognize emergencies, provide basic care, and perform life-saving CPR and AED use.
Skills You’ll Gain:
- CPR for adults, children, and infants
- AED operation
- Bleeding control
- Basic wound care
- Choking response
Recommended Training Providers:
2. Stop the Bleed
Trauma is the #1 cause of death for Americans under 46. Stop the Bleed teaches you how to control life-threatening bleeding until professional help arrives.
Skills You’ll Gain:
- Tourniquet application
- Wound packing
- Direct pressure techniques
- Recognizing types of bleeding
Official Resource:
3. Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Designed for emergencies where 911 is not an option — great for hikers, homesteaders, and anyone in rural areas.
Skills You’ll Gain:
- Treating fractures and sprains
- Building splints and improvised stretchers
- Managing hypothermia, heat illness, and dehydration
- Patient assessment in remote settings
Recommended Training Providers:
4. Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
An advanced version of Wilderness First Aid — considered the “gold standard” for backcountry emergency training.
Skills You’ll Gain:
- Extended care for multi-day emergencies
- Advanced trauma management
- Evacuation planning
- Leadership and decision-making under pressure
Recommended Training Providers:
5. Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)
Teaches how to respond to violent emergencies (active shooter, terrorist attacks, etc.), based on military medicine adapted for civilians.
Skills You’ll Gain:
- Care under fire
- Rapid trauma assessment
- Tourniquets, wound packing, airway management
Recommended Training Providers:
6. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
A professional-level certification for first responders — a good goal for those wanting deeper expertise without becoming a full EMT.
Skills You’ll Gain:
- Advanced airway management
- Complex patient assessment
- Emergency childbirth
- Scene management and triage
Recommended Training Providers:
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians – EMR Certification Info
- Check your local community college or fire department training center for EMR programs.
Where to Start
If you’re just beginning:
- Start with Basic First Aid/CPR and Stop the Bleed
- Then level up with Wilderness First Aid for more rural scenarios.
- If you want deeper expertise, consider WFR, TECC, or EMR training.
- Be sure you have the right gear—we have you covered with the best equipment for a variety of budgets at HomesteadGear.com with our Medical / First Aid collection.
Every skill you add can make the difference between life and death — for your family, neighbors, or even a stranger in need.