My First Aid Kit (Critism Please)

[Maj.Exec]

I would include pictures, but it's easier if I just post words. This would be my personal bag, to go with my BOB, which will be posted soon. Here goes...

Med List:

1 Triangular Bandage
1 Eye Injury Pad
1 Mole Skin
1 8in x 10in Gauze Pad
3 3in x 4 in Gauze Pad
2 Rolled Gauze over 12’ total
1 Pair Latex Gloves
1 Set Scissors
2 Compound Benzoin tincture swabs
1 Bottle of 2 fl. Oz. Iodine
5 Anti septic Pads
1 2” x 3” gauze Pad
1 Extra Large Bandage
Assorted Small Bandages
1 After Bite ® Pen
1 Roll Paper Tape
1 Box No-Sting Wipes
1 3”x3” Gauze Pad
1 Set of Tweezers
2 Packs of Matches One Waterproofed Case one not
6 Tylenol
2 Tinactin Cream
6 Motrin IB
3 Benadryl
2 Hydrocortisone Cream
2 Burn Cream
2 Betadine (anti-bacterial)
2 Imodium

All in this bag --->

I am bound to have forgotten something... please let me know. Thanks

[Rooster]

That's really good.

Few more items you should consider:
Safety pins
tube of Orthogel or Ben-Gay
Saline eye wash
Butterfly Bandages or Steri-strips

[CLEAR CUT]

I would also add a scalpel and a fresh brand new bic biro pen( just in case you needed to perform a surgical chricothyroidotomy), another thing to do would be to replace your paper tape with plain white athletic tape(find in sporting goods dept.) Paper tape doesn't really have the adhesion of the sports tape especially if it gets wet.

[OFCJAX]

Sutures!

Get the kits that come pre-threaded. BTW learn to do stitches. There is a video out there that shows you all kinds-o-good stuff.

[the_klenzer]

Tensor bandages, two sizes. I think a lot of the injuries you may run into in a SHTF situation will be ankle/knee related. It will be a good thing to get an injury bandaged up fast and get back on the run (well... hobble).

[ColemanJanuary]

since raptorman hasnt been around (hope hes safe), ill say it. "Two is one and one is none." everything you have one of, consider making it at least two. ski patrollers at the little bump of a hill we call a resort here in ohio carry at least three triangular bandages. only one pair of latex gloves? cops carry at least two. remember, those degrade over time; you should pull them out every two to three months and use them for something, and replace them. also, you have only a one day supply of each of your meds. consider making it a 2-3 day supply. add a bottle of eyewash? you can get it at most first aid/pharmacy areas of stores. sterile, sealed bottle of eye washing type water. low salinity water, i think. maybe some quick reference cards?

Cole.

[Mr_Fubar]

A few ideas:
-More triangle bandages (I typically use 3 for splinting.)
-Quikclot (I've never used it but plan on picking some up soon.)
-Anti-Diarrheal meds (You never know what you'll be eating/drinking in the PAW.)
-CPR mask (If you're certified. If not, Why?)
-Wetnaps (Lots and lots of wetnaps.)
And a disposable body stapler kit (Just because I wanna know how well it works)

[raptorman]

since raptorman hasnt been around (hope hes safe), ill say it. "Two is one and one is none.

I'm alive and at least 7 hours ahead of you in the time zone. I believe in redundancy, unless we're talking about bug out bags. Weight is the killer there, but otherwise, yeah. How much does a few boxes of gauze cost? Not much. Get more than you need so eventually you can barter with it, especially ammunition. If I wanted to pack a good medical bag, I might ask a Navy Corpsman that is stationed with a platoon of marines what he carries. Just an idea. Nice bag by the way. Time for me to disappear again.

[los_hooligan]

i think you have everything well covered. just get more guaze and you're good.

[CLEAR CUT]

If You have access to it as well as the knowledge of how to use them I would add: an intubation kit( laryngoscope and tubes), an i.v. kit( fluids- .9saline solution, lactated ringers, i.v. needles/canulas, and tubing), and a portable defibrillator( a medic quality one or an AED if you can't read a strip), Surgical tools( scalpels,retractors, hemostats).

[Mugwug]

Nice kit...some good stuff there.

If You have access to it as well as the knowledge of how to use them I would add: an intubation kit( laryngoscope and tubes), an i.v. kit( fluids- .9saline solution, lactated ringers, i.v. needles/canulas, and tubing), and a portable defibrillator( a medic quality one or an AED if you can't read a strip), Surgical tools( scalpels,retractors, hemostats).

Holy frejoles! I think thats stepping beyond "first aid" and into at least one level up. Good suggestions all, but more than a little expense involved there. Last time I saw the price tag on the AEDs we were trained on they weighed in at about $5,000 a pop (give or take). This also increases the weight involved in a kit significantly, if you've got the training it'd be worthwhile, otherwise it's likely so much dead weight.

Make a good point about the kits however, beyond basic owies a standard "first aid" kit isn't going to handle any serious injuries.

[jamoni]

Those items might be okay for a vehicle, but the defib and the scope both require hospitalization afterward. I'd leave them off my list, even though I'm trained to use them. I can see an IV kit, though.

[CLEAR CUT]

I can hear you about the cost in 'cha-chingos' NOW. But, if I come accross an ambulance or some other kind of ems-type vehicle while I'm out and about during a PAW-situation, I'm going to see what I can avail myself of. And an O2 tank with masks and airways, stretcher/backboard. C-collars, and enough guaze to wrap TUT twice. I'll think of more but for now that's enough.

I think stuff like this needs to be planned for in advance, especially if you intend to have a Command Base. I totally agree, if I'm on foot on the run and alone, there's no way I could schlep all that gear. While in a group or vehicle or even going back to a Base, that's another story.

[jetsiphon]

More 4"x4" 's
Grab a Sam Splint, I've seen these around the local sports stores now.
More Benadryl. Everyone should carry Benadryl. It is a life saving drug.
Ice/heat pack.
Non-Latex gloves.
If you're going to carry a CPR mask, get some oral and nasal airways.

[Maj.Exec]

Thanks for all the responses! Raptorman: Were you being sarcastic about the bag, bucause I you were where I am looking at it, it's total crap. I will eventually get a maxpedition hip pack or a sling across the shoulder by the same name. My main reason for the bag thing is that it's a binocular bag with black elevtral tape covering the gold letters of Olympus.

[Pegasus_Shoulder_Flash]

Since I had to do my recertification last year for First Aid, CPR and Blood Pathogens, I figured I would add this small piece:

A CPR Rescue Aid Keychain. It basically will help you through the procedure, assuming you've had the training, by jarring your memory. Either that or a CPR Quick Reference Manual.

I suggest this because last summer I was in an accident not 1 week after I had finished my recertification. I was an absolute mess (the kid was on a bike, late at night, and riding head on into traffic when I hit him) and could no more have performed any kind of lifesaving technique on him than I could have flown to the Moon. Some kind of reference aid is pretty vital unless you have performed CPR to the point that its second nature (intensive training say like an Paramedic/EMT or a military field doc).

[CLEAR CUT]

That's a good point Pegasus. No one really knows how they will function in a crisis until they are in one. A small set of 1st aid/ cpr cards is a good idea. You are also totally correct about the training aspect of first aid and cpr. It's a good thing to know and in the proper cases can save lives.

Speaking from experience once you actually perform CPR you'll never forget how. NOt only that but you'll never forget who you did it on either. Know it, love it, live it, but pray that you never need to use it.

As far as the CPR mask goes there's no way I'm doing unprotected mouth-to-mouth on someone other than my immediate family.The way I see it that's akin to unprotected sex and I just won't do it!

[tupac4rhymes]

im not sure if it's up there, but, syringes?

[CLEAR CUT]

im not sure if it's up there, but, syringes?

Sure provided you have drugs to go along with them. Then for sure as Jamoni suggested you( care provider) are going to need some serious training.

Unless you possess this knowledge-drugs( indications/contraindications, interactions, dosages, method of deliveries) This as well as the intubation,I.V. therapyand defibrillation kits I mentioned earlier are then really something best left to the professionals( This is an area NOT to be dabbled or guessed at!). Even then in a PAW-type situation this type of intervention is a 'crap-shoot' and worst case scenario. If all things go as planned the victim is still going to need proper medical care and that can't be provided in the field.

[Dr. Chopsaw]

-Anti-Diarrheal meds (You never know what you'll be eating/drinking in the PAW.)

Good idea. And along with that, a bottle (or two) of charcoal tablets. Those things are priceless in the case of food poisoning.

[Agent281]

Anyone mention medical glue? I think it could be a great asset. (That might just be because I was watching a Modern Marvels on glue yesterday... I am easily swayed. )

[HEX]

Nice kit Maj.Exec, did you buy it as a set or compile it yourself? I ask because i'm trying to form a second first aid bag for my BOB (the first one was a bit crappy really).

[hydrogen]

super glue, stings like a bitch, but afterwards you have a nice sealed wound. and learn how to do stitches, its really easy.

[Maj.Exec]

HEX: I was cleaning out my closet in my bathroom, stumbled across some stuff and then took the iniciative and went and bought the other stuff from Long's.

hydrogen: Damn right. One time one of my more trusted friends suggested I use super glue on a minor cut. That stung like hell for about ten minutes!