Seeking a book recommendation on practicing first aid and community medicine.?

I'm moving to a region without any medical services what so ever. The entire country lacks any real doctors. I'd like to take with me the knowledge of how to treat common injuries, ailments and sickness.

I would especially like texts that cover treatments that involve little or no modern medical equipment. I hate to say it, but I'm in need for a "Medicine for Dummies". The country is in central america and its extremely small, medical care is done in a neighboring nation but I will not have the transportation.

Go to www.redcross.org.uk. There you can find many publications, First Aid Kits and advise on First Aid as well as contacting your local Red Cross who provide training to the public ranging from a 1 hour Save a Life Course to a 4 day Standard First Aid Course.

The First Aid Manual of the National First Aid Societies (British Red Cross, St John's Ambulance and St Andrew's Ambulance) is a very good publication and so is the British Red Cross Practical First Aid Manual. Both are the basis of training and therefore designed for the noivce.

First Aid is pre hospital care and therefore designed to utilise only basic equipment that you can easily take with you.

I would call in to any local community college and see what they have for first aid courses... they are usually only a weekend long and it will give you the basics and a book to take with you. Unfortunately, first aid is only meant to do you until you can transport to medical aid. You won't become a doctor over night but at least you will know some basics to start off with. I would also look at maybe taking a wilderness training course for first aid... And if the local community college is of no help, call the hospital and I'm sure a receptionist there would be glad to direct you to who you need to call for some training.

I reccomend visiting your local Rescue/EMS/Ambulance folks. They might have some older text books they'd give you, if you explain your dilemma. I feel this is your best bet. Tell them you're in search of EMT-Basic texts. Certainly, you wont have some of the equipment discussed, but splinting, burns, cuts, bites, poisoning, cuts/gashes/lacerations, head trauma, childbirth...all that's covered. In addition, the text just might explain WHY it's important to do certain things, instead of just telling you to do them.

Also, visit your local Red Cross chapter. They might not give you texts for free, but if you tell them what you're doing, they might toss a freebie. Maybe.