I know my limitations. Nothing fancy, just some trianing and a few rules of thumb. My skills are literally first aid. Keep someone alive until the pros can arrive.
- Start the breathing - I know basic CPR and treatments for choking.
- Stop the bleeding - band-aids, gauze, quik-clot, and tourniquets for the worst.
- Control shock - instant ice packs, a space blanket, and a wool blanket. Face is red, raise the head. Face is pale, raise the tail.
Beyond that, immobilizing a broken limb with a splint and providing a few basic medications are my limits. More skill than some, less skill than others. I hope I never need any of it, but I don't trust hope.
That's pretty much all that could/would be done in the wilderness and way more than most people know how to do. With these basics and some actual bushcraft that may prevent incidents happening, a person is in a good place I think.
We'll see whether that'll keep me from becoming a statistic. I'm already breaking one of the rules by traveling alone. Don't worry, I'll try to keep the people who need to know my whereabouts in the know.
I do some wilderness stuff alone but like you say, let someone know when you leave, how long you're (expected to be) going for and when you're likely to return, and where you're expecting to go of course; they can check in and alert the authorities if you don't return. You know all thins though.
Don't overestimate me. My book-learnin' is vast as the Great Lakes, but my practical wilderness experience outside of basic country life is small as a mud puddle.
Ah ok, well having some theoretical skills isn't a bad thing, it's amazing how quickly people that have read a thing or two can adapt that knowledge when in the field.