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To Treat, Rescue, and Defend

Equipped to Serve: Part Two

First aid kit

From the Bible

  • Isaiah prescribed a poultice to treat Hezekiah’s boil:

    For Isaiah had said, “Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.” (Isaiah 38:21).
  • Angels evacuated Lot & family from Sodom:

    And while [Lot] lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city (Genesis 19:16).
  • The Roman tribune rescued Paul from a mob:

    “This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman” (Acts 23:27).
  • Ehud used a weapon to rescue Israel from the oppressor:

    And Ehud said, “I have a message from God unto thee.” And he arose out of his seat. And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly (Judges 3:20b-23).
  • Introduction

    We may need equipment or supplies to treat injuries or illnesses (medical emergencies), to remove people from danger, and to defend against violence. Since we do not know what will happen, we should equip the church now so that we have it if and when we need it.

    In the News

    Charleston, South Carolina, April 4, 2021 – During the Easter service in a Charleston church, a man’s heart stopped. A physician in the congregation began CPR. Someone brought the church’s AED, which restarted his heart.[1] 

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, October 27, 2018 – When an anti-Semitic gunman opened fire in a synagogue during Sabbath services, many persons were wounded. Eleven of them died. The death toll could have been higher, but several people there had been trained in Stop the Bleed and used tourniquets.[2] 

    San Angelo, California, March 18, 2009 – About 150 children and infants were evacuated from a church daycare center during a fire. Evacuation cribs and strollers were used to carry the infants out.[3] 

    Lake Forest, California, June 1, 2019 – A woman parked in a church parking lot walked along a local trail. Along the way, she was attacked by a man. She fought him off using pepper spray.[4]

    Special Offers and Featured Products

    We have two free downloads and a training program special.

    Equipped for Success: Recommended Essential Equipment” lists six things which are needed for a Church Safety Ministry (two-way radios is one of them) and tells why they are necessary. There are more items which are useful, but these six are essential.[5] Click HERE to get it.

    Practical Steps to Start a Safety Ministry has practical advice for beginning a Safety Ministry in your church, from Start the Conversation” to “Recruit and Train Your Team.” Starting a Safety Ministry is “equipping the church for safety.”[6] You can get it HERE

    Note that training is an essential part of starting a Church Safety Team, equipping Safety Team members for their roles. A key resource for this is the Complete Training Program v4. This is the classroom version with downloadable training materials.[7] Beginning in mid-August, these seven lessons will be live-streamed on Zoom every other week with Kris Moloney as the instructor. In 3½ months your team will be ready to take the tests for Sheepdog Church Security certification. This training program is offered at a big discount. 

    Several of the products named in this article are listed in the Sheepdog Church Security store on Amazon (Recommended Equipment for Safety Ministries).[8]

    Equipment to Treat, Rescue, and Defend

    We need equipment and supplies to treat the ill and injured, to rescue persons who are unable to remove themselves from danger, and – in many cases – to defend ourselves and others. 

    To Treat the Ill and Injured

    From time to time there will be medical emergencies in the church. They can be small cuts or burns in the kitchen, children getting bruises or sprains while playing, a person getting too hot on a church picnic, or numb toes and fingers in winter weather. They can be more serious – a broken arm, a stroke, a heart attack, a life-threatening allergic reaction, or injuries in a mass casualty event. Most of these illnesses and injuries require some supplies to treat, from small Band-Aids to tourniquets to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

    Items in the SDCS Store

    Rapid Care First Aid 80093 First Aid Cabinet – This wall-mounted cabinet is made of white enameled steel. There are three sizes available: 2, 3, or 4 shelves. Put one each in the office, the kitchen, the gym, and whatever place it would be needed. It comes with First Aid supplies and a First Aid book.[8a]

    Philips HeartStart Home AED – AED’s are now proven products and are recommended for workplaces, schools, and places of worship. They have already saved many lives in churches.[8b] 

    Large Medic First Responder Trauma Duffel Bag – You can’t take the wall cabinet with you, but you can take this bag to the scene of a serious injury. More than just First Aid, it has materials for treating major trauma.[8c] 

    CAT Combat Application Tourniquet – This is the official tourniquet of the U.S. Army. It is quick to use and has a place to write the time of application.[8d] 

    Emergency Pressure Bandage (Israeli Type) – This was developed for the Israeli Defense Force, and it has proved itself in treating wounds suffered in combat and in terrorist attacks.[8e] 

    Airway Kit - Nasopharyngeal Respiration Tubes In 5 Sizes – These NPAs (NasoPharyngeal Airways) can enable a person with mouth injuries to breathe. They are lubricated for easy insertion.[8f]

    Mountain Man Medical (an Affiliate)

    Sheepdog Church Security has an affiliate relationship with Mountain Man Medical (MMM). Kris worked with them in developing two medical response kits, the Sheepdog Belt IFAK (individual First Aid kit) and the Mass Casualty Trauma Kit (which MMM decided to make a standard product).[9] 

    Sheepdog Belt IFAK – This individual First Aid kit can be carried on your belt. It has enough in it to treat one serious injury or cardiopulmonary episode: 1 each of tourniquet, Israeli pressure bandage, pair of medical gloves, pair of shears, and CPR face shield.[9a]

    Mass Casualty Trauma Kit – Everything in this bag is intended to keep trauma victims alive until the EMTs or paramedics get there. Get the number of kits recommended for the size of your congregation. MMM also offers training in Emergency Trauma Response.[9b] 

    Other Medical Response Supplies

    Disposable Medical Gloves – These are already in the kits, bag, and cabinet above. However, since they are disposable, they need to be replaced frequently. Try to keep enough on hand to refill as needed. 

    Sanitizing Wipes – It is important to try to prevent infections, especially in cuts and wounds. 

    CPR Masks or Face Shields – when performing CPR, we need to protect both ourselves and the patient, especially if we go beyond compression to forced breathing. The face shield also protects the face from body fluids when treating injuries. This kind of protection has become more important during the current pandemic. 

    Permanent Markers – These are needed for marking the time on a tourniquet, etc.

    To Rescue the Endangered

    Walking-Gait Belt – If a person being evacuated has difficulty walking, a walking gait belt with side loops enables one or two helpers to support and guide them. This could be a real life-saver in a fire.

    Safety Walking Rope – When leading small children out during an emergency, it is important to keep then together. This Brand New World WR99 Safety Walking Rope has a handle at each end for the adults.[8g] 

    Stair Chair – The LINE2Design Stair Chair was designed to evacuate persons who cannot walk when stairs have to be used. It is much safer to use than an ordinary wheelchair.[8h] 

    Evacuation Crib – There are several evacuation cribs on Amazon and other sites. They have sturdier frames and larger casters than regular cribs. Several infants can be taken out at one time. They were used in the church fire in San Angelo.[3]

    Lockdown Door Jammer – The Gotega Door Stopper can be kicked down in a lockdown to keep a door from being opened. It can be released with a foot on the lever.[8i] 

    Shelter Supplies – Be prepared in case people have to shelter in the church for more than a day. This means water, non-perishable foods, and necessities for hygiene and sanitation.

    To Defend the Threatened

    Defensive Sprays

    Irritant sprays have become common personal defense items. They contain OC (Oleoresin Capsicum, a.k.a. pepper oil), CS (tear gas), a combination of the two, or another active substance (such as Presidia Gel in Reflex Protect – see below).

    SABRE Advanced Compact Pepper Spray – This is preferred and carried by many police officers. It is mostly OC, with CS and UV marking dye (seen only in ultraviolet light). It has a clip for convenient carrying.[8j] 

    ASP Key Defender Pepper Spray – This can be carried on a key ring and be quickly disconnected for use. It has six charges.[k] 

    Reflex Protect – The Reflex Protect defensive spray was designed to be harmless and precise. The special spray head shoots a pinpoint stream, making it more selective in a crowd. It contains Presidia Gel, which does not have the same problems as pepper spray. The same firm sells a decontaminant, Reflex Remove, which cleans Presidia Gel off an already subdued subject. It also cleans off pepper spray.[10] 

    Electric Discharge Devices

    Stun Guns and Tasers – These devices release a stored electric charge when their electrodes contact the subject’s skin. This interferes with their nervous system, causing disorientation, pain, and loss of balance and/or coordination. A stun gun works on direct contact. The Taser shoots out two barbed electrodes with wires attached, making it effective at a distance beyond arm’s reach.

    Taser Holster – This holds the Taser Pulse or Taser Pulse+.[8l] 

    Firearms

    There are many handguns which can be used for security. However, not all are suitable for concealed carry, which is preferred for church safety teams. They must be carried and used in accordance with state and local laws.

    Conclusion

    When the time comes to respond to medical emergencies, to evacuate mobility-impaired persons, or to defend yourself or others, be sure you have what you need already on hand. Prepare for unscheduled events.

    There Is More

    There are four other articles in August. They are “You've Been Audited!” [a current concern], “Banner On, Guns Down” [featured provider], “Basically Equipped (Equipped to Serve: Part One), and “The 2006 Ministry of Jesus Christ Church Shooting” (Lessons Learned).

    References

    1. WCIV News Staff, “Easter miracle: Man's life saved after having medical emergency at Charleston church,” ABC News 4 WCIV, April 13, 2021 [https://abcnews4.com/news/local/easter-miracle-mans-life-saved-after-having-medical-emergency-at-charleston-church]. 
    2. Adam Z. Tobias, et al., “Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting in Pittsburgh: Preparedness, Prehospital Care, and Lessons Learned,” Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, Volume 21 Issue 2, March 2020 (Published online Feb 21, 2020) [https://westjem.com/articles/tree-of-life-synagogue-shooting-in-pittsburgh-preparedness-prehospital-care-and-lessons-learned.html]. 
    3. Staff Reporter, “Children evacuated from downtown San Angelo church on fire,” GoSanAngelo, March 18, 2009 [https://archive.gosanangelo.com/news/children-evacuated-from-downtown-san-angelo-church-on-fire-ep-442142765-357743791.html/]. 
    4. Ashley Ludwig, “Woman Pepper Sprays Attacker On Aliso Creek Trail,” Patch, June 3, 2019 [https://patch.com/california/lakeforest-ca/woman-pepper-sprays-attacker-aliso-creek-trail-cops]. 
    5. Kris Moloney, “Equipped for Success: Recommended Essential Equipment,” Sheepdog Church Security, © 2019 [https://sheepdog-church-security.ck.page/8ad20a0b70]. 
    6. Kris Moloney, “Steps to Start a Safety Ministry,” Sheepdog Church Security, © 2019 [https://sheepdog-church-security.ck.page/9c5f2d32cc]. 
    7. Kris Moloney, “Complete Training Program v4,” Sheepdog Church Security Training Courses, Training Bundles (Classroom), © 2020 [https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/bundles/complete-church-security-training-system]. 
    8. “Recommended Equipment for Safety Ministries,” Sheepdog Church Security, on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/shop/instructor_moloney]. 
      1. Rapid Care First Aid 80093 First Aid Cabinet [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E17HNGQ?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      2. Philips HeartStart Home AED [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00064CED6?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      3. Large Medic First Responder Trauma Duffel Bag [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AYGFO0?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      4. CAT Combat Application Tourniquet [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ITAKG6A?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      5. Emergency Pressure Bandage (Israeli Type) [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MT17QJU?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      6. Airway Kit - Nasopharygngeal Respiration Tubes In 5 Sizes [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015TF4G0?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      7. Brand New World WR99 Safety Walking Rope [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AZ9UCI?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      8. LINE2Design Stair Chair [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GIL1W3I?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      9. Gotega Door Stopper [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SHKQWWM?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      10. SABRE Advanced Compact Pepper Spray with Clip [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007VM8UC?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d]. 
      11. ASP Key Defender Pepper Spray [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VQFLUC?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d].
      12. Elite Force Holster [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GDS67QL?ref=exp_instructor_moloney_dp_vv_d Taser holster]. 
    9. Sheepdog Church Security affiliate link, Mountain Man Medical [https://www.mountainmanmedical.com/?aid=18].
      1. Sheepdog Belt IFAK [https://www.mountainmanmedical.com/product/sheepdog-belt-ifak/?aid=18].
      2. Mass Casualty Trauma Kit [https://www.mountainmanmedical.com/product/the-mass-casualty-trauma-kit/?aid=18]. 
    10. “Products,” Reflex Protect [https://reflexprotect.com/collections/products].