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MODULE D: social care & mutual aid
MODULE D: social care & mutual aid
Introduction to
Introduction to
Mutual aid
Mutual aid
Understanding mutual aid, and the key to being a society helping communities by contributing skillsets directly to areas where traditional health and safety systems are not operations, is crucial to knowing how you can help out the Aid Society! It's all about real, tangible actions.
understanding the philosophy of protests
understanding the philosophy of protests
This talk draws on philosophy to examine the ethics of protest. It looks at three recent examples - environmental sabotage, urban riots and refugee hunger strikes - to consider the role of uncivil protest in fighting injustice. While we individually may or may not agree or disagree with ideologies behind the protests, nor support the actual actions undertaken, it's important to understand why communities engage in these actions and events.
THE Power of Purpose
THE Power of Purpose
This powerful poem, written and narrated by Scottish author, Erin May Kelly, sheds light on the human rights violations that are still far too common in mental health services around the world. The poem also explains what mental health care in the community can and should look like, and the tremendous difference that care provided with respect for people’s human rights, and that is focused on recovery, can make to people’s lives. It is a great look at what true social care and community looks like.
additional materials & references
additional materials & references
A Demonstrator’s Guide to Responding to Gunshot Wounds
Covers basic ballistic wound management for non-medical volunteers, from tourniquet use to improvised dressings, with an emphasis on “you are not your local trauma surgeon.”Protocols for Common Injuries from Police Weapons
Step-by-step care guidelines for rubber-bullet bruises, tear-gas burns, chemical irritants, concussion, and other demonstration-related injuriesMental Health First Aid
Highly recommended training, and one of the cornerstones for our Support Monitors, that all members should take if possible!
This is the handbook, created by Chicago Action Medical, is adopted by the Northern Aid Society as the primary handbook for our Medicaes! As Safety Medical volunteers, you should be familiar with the contents and brush up on the materials prior to every safety medical coverage event. It will be used during Medicae training courses. It covers most medical situations encountered during social and civic events, but is only basic medical information. Below are additional guides, resources, and articles that volunteers are strongly encouraged to review and explore. Seeking professional training, such as Wilderness First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician, can go a long ways as well!
Riot Medicine, the name not withstanding, is a full-length textbook that covers everything you need to become a street medic. The 486 pages include organizing, medicine, equipment, and tactics. It is written for those with no medical training and no experience at protests, but medical practitioners and seasoned protesters will still find it useful.
Other guides include a field guide, a basic aid card, and other helpful materials.
This article by the Melbourne Street Medic Collective provides a good collection of tips and techniques for providing medical care at social action and engagement events. Materials cover information about basic safety, situation management, organizational logistics and support.
The guide Streetwise & Steady: A Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals by Choose Democracy is a fantastic manual on safety techniques and strategies during mass civic engagement events. It covers the basics of crowd movement, de-escalation, and practical tools and principles for peacekeepers, rooted in the belief that nonviolent discipline is not just a tactic — it’s a strategy for resilience.
This article by Patrick Young provides a fantastic overview of the movement of street medicine and community medical aid in civic events. It covers concepts in mutual aid networks, the history, and thoughts around keeping the movements healthy and safe for the future.
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