FAK contest

[pitdog]

This was one of my original FAK's, it had a fair amount of stuff in but I never used any of it. As with most stuff we never use I eventually stopped carrying it and so it now resides in a bedroom drawer !

When I went to the Rockies this year I bought a new ready to go FAK shown below. I really like this kit and vowed to carry it on all my serious hikes.....I carried it everyday in the Rockies but never used anything so that now resides in my car ( If I do another serious trip I will add this to my pack though !)

The contents of this are shown here.

So where does that now leave me ? Well I'm embarrased to say the only FAK contents I regularly carry are those in my little PSK.

As you can see there are a few steri-strips, a few small bandaids, some cotton pads and decent amount of Duct tape wrapped around an old credit card that can be used to hold moss etc onto larger wounds.

One item I do try and carry with me is a small container of Cayenne pepper, this is one of the best items I've found for stopping heavy bleeding and speeding the healing time.

For minor cuts when I'm out and about I'll typically use some Balsam sap and cover it with some Cedar bark or a leaf.

If I'm out and feel a sore throat or cold coming on I'll pick myself a Licorice root to chew on, I find this works quite well. Here is one I found today:

I cut myself pretty good with a little necker from Bryan Breeden once, my wife said it would definitely need stitches as it wouldn't stop pouring. Anyways I tried the Balsam sap but it was bleeding too heavily and just kept washing the sap away. I then tried the Cayenne pepper and it worked like magic, it even gives you a nice warm feeling as it goes to work !

This was the cut only 4 days later !

Thanks again for the chance at such an awesome knife buddy !

 

[KuRUpTD]

This basic kit covers most of my needs for day hikes and overnighters

1. triangular bandage
2. band-aids
3. butterfly strips
4. super glue
5. duct tape
6. tweezers
7. scissors
8. antibiotic ointment
9. surgical sponge (2)
10. gauze roll
11. gloves
12. antiseptic towelettes
13. combine pad, 5" x 9"
14. butterfly strips
15. tylenol
16. imodium AD

*not pictured
17. SAK camper
18. space blanket


Thanks.

 

[grunt soldier]

I alway have them around. they may not be on me 100 percent of the time but they are never more than 30 yards away. I also always have 2 kits. one for edc boo-boo's and one blow out trauma set up. here is my boo-boo and I'll get pics of the trauma kit when I get in from work.

this is a simple kit. but it covers most my needs for cuts, scrapes, and bumps.

1. tube neosporin
2 yellow hard case full of band aids (neosporin sits inside)
3 silver pill fob with 6 800m/g Ibuprofen
4. 8 alcohol swabs
5. small pill packages ( 4 pills each of anti-diarrhea, 4 anti acids, 4 anti-nausea, 4 benadryals)
6. sealed small package of bandages,
7. large sealed package of big bandages.
8. didn't make the picture but sever steri-strips
9. blue carrying case from st vincents hospital. nothing special but it was free lol
10. mini first aid card w/ instructions and list
11. 2 packages single use packages of neosporin

 

[ghostguy6]

My Truck Kit (not all items pictured)

Contents
• 4 Abdominal Pad, Sterile, 20cm x 25cm
• 50 Antiseptic Towelettes
• 2 Bio-Hazard Bag, 60cm x 60cm
• 5 Transpore Tape, 2.5cm x 4.5m
• 6 Compress Bandage, 10cm x 10cm
• 6 Compress Bandage, 15cm x 15cm
• 6 Conform Bandage, 7.5cm x 4.5m
• 50 Pair Disposable Nitril Gloves
• 2 Tweezer,( sharp and blunt point)
• 1 each (EMT Shear, Blunt bandage, Sharp point)
• 4 Elastic Support Bandage, 7.5cm x 4.5m
• 2 Eye Pad, Oval, Sterile
• 1 First Aid Bilingual Pocket Guide
• 50 Gauze Pads, 10cm x 10cm
• 50 Gauze pads. 5cm x 5cm
• 100 Band Aid Strips
• 12 Safety Pins, Assorted
• 1 CPR-Aid Rescuer Device
• 12 Triangular Bandage, Pins, 90cm x 90cm x 130cm
• 1 Tube Gauze and Applicator
• 1 1000ml bottle of saline
• 1 1000ml bottle of water
• 1 pack Berman Airways
• 5 Israeli Combat Dressings
• 5 Quick Clot Dressings
• 1 Spinal Collar
• 5 Assorted Haemostat
• 1 Littmann Classic 2 Stethoscope
• 100 Tylenol tablets
• 20 Gravol tablets
• 20 Immoduim tablets
• 100 Tums tablets
• 48 Pepto Bismo chewables
• 20 Antihistamine tablets
• 5 glowsticks
• 1 safety glasses
• 24 1” x 5yrd roll of gauze
• 12 2” x 5yrd roll of gauze
• 12 3” x 5yrd roll of gauze
• 5 4” Ace bandage
• 5 4” Tensor bandage
• 1 6” Tensor bandage
• 25 surgical masks
• 1 SAM Splint
• 1 Breather Valve Mask
• 1 pack of assorted syringes and suture kit
• 1 Laderal CPR mask
• 1 Thermometer
• 50 Ammonia inhalants

I'm sure there is more that I cant remember off the top of my head

Secret Contest Entry
While working security at a local nightclub a suicidal male took a beer bottle broke in on a toilet and stabbed himself in the neck with it. It’s believed he saw his girlfriend dancing with another guy and that triggered his response. The bottle severed an artery ( I don’t know which one) as well as punctured his trachea. I had to use a haemostat from my FAK to clamp the artery. I also used an Israeli Dressing around the puncture wound on the neck. Unfortunately I do not have a tracheal tube or the training to use one so I was unable to secure the airway. The male was still alive once the EMT’s left the building however he did not survive the ambulance ride to the hospital. I don’t think it would be appropriate to post pictures but suffice to say there was a lot of blood on the floor, walls and roof.

My IFAK ( not all items pictured)

Contents
• 1 EMT Shear
• 1 tweezer sharp point
• 2 pairs nitril gloves
• 5 10cm x 10 cm gauze dressings
• 5 5cm x 5 cm gauze dressings
• 1 eye pad
• 1 triangular bandage
• 10 bandaides
• 1 6”x6” pressure dressing
• 5 antiseptic towelettes
• 10 Tylenol tablets
• 1 roll transpore tape
• 5 assorted safety pins
• 2 ammonia inhalants
• 2 3” x 5yrd rolls of gauze

 

[Sufler]

Rotte,

Thank you for this very generous contest. I've already picked up a couple of pointers on how I could modify/add to my existing kits from the previous entries. I was also thinking about building a more substantial, multi-day kit.

Here are my two entries:

1) Ultralite IFAK. I switched to a Flash 18 type ultralight backpack for my day-hikes and I built an aid kit with "necessity and weight" in mind. The primary purpose of this kit is to control bleeding. This is why you see a primary heavy concentration on absorption and a secondary on small cuts/blisters using a variety of small band-aids. This kit's purpose is to control the bleeding enough to allow me to get to my car and seek medical attention. I envisioned these sorts of bad cuts happening from using my knife on the trail. The last time I used a part of this kit was when we were hiking a dense trail. The person in front of me was pushing away and bending the branches. One branch shot at my face and I blocked it with the palm of my hand resulting in a stab. I rinsed the cut with water and used half of the maxi-pad to absorb the bleeding as the stab turned out to be pretty deep - we headed home.

2 x maxi pads: readily available, inexpensive and one of the best options for wound coverage and absorption as they do not stick
2 x 2x2" gauze: chose these to wipe/clean cuts and wounds with as well as a wound coverage option
1 x 3x4" non-stick pad: added this non-stick pad for larger area brusing/scrapes around knees or elbows
assorted elastic plasters: these are for small cuts and blisters
q-tips: originally added them for use around the eye - wiping away dirt/debris, some of the q-tips heads have Vaseline on them for burns/scrapes and lips as chap
alcohol wipe: added the wipe more so that I could squeeze the alcohol out of the wipe to disinfect an area/wound (I have since learned of saline use: read 2nd kit breakdown).
10m floss: to wrap gauze/pads around wound if tape is not sufficient and eventually would like to learn how to use it for sutures.
#2 pencil wrapped w/gauze tape and duct tape: pencil to write with, gauze tape to tape on gauze and pads, duct tape for same purpose as well as closing deeper gashes
safety razor blade: to cut off blisters
missing tylenol: for the pain

2) This kit was originally built for our rafting trip last year, but I have since taken it on extended hikes/multi-person hikes and it currently resides in my car. Waterproofness was the primary need and I chose the 10x7 Coghlan waterproof pouch to built the kit on as this pouch was available locally. What happens when it's a private raft and the guides on it are your good buddies and you're rafting with almost no day-light left? You get bruised while falling out of the raft and hitting your hip on the rocks below 'cause your buddies decided to play a joke on you. So, yeah... I used the 5x9 dressing (bled pretty good) and tape to cover the boo-boo while we headed farther down river.

8x10/5x9 surgical dressing: a substantial upgrade from the maxi-pads, these were added to the kit for substantial/heavy bleeding wounds including head injuries
2 x maxi pads: readily available, inexpensive and one of the best options for wound coverage and absorption as they do not stick
5 x 3x4 non-stick pads: five of these because this kit was built in mind for having spares for other people in the group. Also placed on wound first so that the dressing doesn't stick.
gauze and cotton balls: wound cleaning, two of the cotton balls have vaseline on them. Tinder if necessary.
q-tips: originally added them for use around the eye - wiping away dirt/debris, some of the q-tips heads have Vaseline on them for burns/scrapes and lips as chap
assorted elastic plasters: these are for small cuts and blisters
tape on straw (toothpicks inside): tape for securing dressing/pads, toothpicks to apply neosporin
5" long straw filled with neosporin: this is the first time I used this trick and it's worked well
missing tylenol: for the pain
missing saline squeeze bottle: chatted with a doctor who explained to me that hydrogen peroxide and alcohol cause tissue damage (prolonging healing) and don't do anything more substantial than a good cleaning with water and soap. Based on his ER experience, he recommended a squeeze bottle with saline for trips as you're able to irrigate the wound with the pressure from the squeeze bottle. Using a 3oz TSA approved bottle.

 

[FAL'ER]

My pocket sized kit, shown all wrapped up. I've carried this a bunch but it usually rides in my driver side door storage along with an altoids tin survival kit just to grab real quick if I don't think I'm gonna be far from the the truck.


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here's the content's,


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1) 1 pack of raw sugar - same as the honey
2) 1 packet of honey - see story below
3) 1 Iodine swab - clean the skin and allow the bandages to stick better
4) 1 pack advil with 2 tablets inside, swelling and pain relief
5) 1 2x2 gauze - absorb blood, I should add a few more of these
6) 2 antiseptic towlettes -general cleaning
7) 1 packet of theraflu - Just in case I'm away from home and start feeling sick
8) 1 packet of burn cream - cooling feeling really works well used it on the wife once.
9) 1 packet antibiotic ointment
10) 2 regular bandaids - should add more of these
11) 1 packet contailing 2 tablets of ibuprofin
12) 1 instructional sheet - this is a good sheet, lots of reminders,splints, punctured lung,etc.

Story - Why I keep honey packets in my first aid kits. Back in 2006 ish We had a good sized shooting event (FAL shoot) and were camping on an island in the middle of a reservoir and a very good friend of mine had some sort of diabetic episode where the medication he was taking took his blood sugar way too low and he got real sick. Earlier in the day I had mentioned how i was eating peanut butter and honey sandwiches all weekend because funds were low. I hear him calling me over to his tent and asking for a big spoonful of honey to equalize his blood sugar or something. Anyway I take it everywhere now in these little starbucks packets. I figure if someone is having a diabetic episode they can probably tell me how much honey they want.

 

[Sufler]

3) CAK. Here's what I call my City Aid Kit. I realized one day that I cut and bruise myself a lot more often in the City than I do out on the trail. The little prick from a splinter on a wooden handrail at an old subway station to a wire fence poking a hole in my jacket. But, what really caused me to carry at least something with me (which eventually became the CAK) was the one time I was jumped on by a squirrel. I was showing some relatives around town and we sat at a bench in the park to eat ice cream before going onto another museum. I had a little bit of waffle cone left and extended my hand to have one of the gathered squirrels to eat it. One sucker jumped on my arm, claws poking, grabbed the cone and split. I thought: "oh crap! rabies!!!". I didn't have anything on me. I didn't see any puncture wounds to the skin. I poured water on the area. Then I asked if anyone in my group had some sort of perfume, cologne... whatever. I thought the alcohol (denat ethyl) would sterilize the area. One did and I sprayed it on. Got tested - no rabies. From then on I thought to have at least something handy.

The idea for the container for the kit came from when I was at Target and saw J&J's "First Aid To Go" kit for $1. It is a durable plastic case and it included hand wipes, gauze pads, and band aids - what a great start, I thought. You'd have to spend over $10 to piece together what they were offering for a $1 and in a durable case. The case, along with as small non-locking folding knife, often ride with me in my cargo pocket, jacket, or bag whenever I'm in the City.

2 x small maxi-pads: inexpensive, compact option for wound/cut coverage with sterility and absorption in mind.
2 x gauze pads: pour water and use to wipe wound, cover wound.
2 x cleansing wipes: squeeze and let the alcohol drip to disinfect a wound or use as a wipe on cut.
band-aids: assortment of band aids for small cuts, bruises or blisters
5ft/100 lb line: use to keep pad covering cut/wound in place and other uses
matches: strike anywhere matches 'cause you never know when you may need fire
tylenol: four pills wrapped in saran wrap for headaches, aches in general
q tips: six q-tips to use on/around eyes, a few have vaseline and neosporin (marked on shaft of q-tip to distinguish which)
duct tape: approx eighteen inches of duct tape for general use - cover wounds, blisters, etc
gauze tape: as a back up for duct tape
ammonia inhalant: in case I have to wake somebody up

 

[stewey1]

This is my basic Kit, I do add certain things depending on the trip. This kit has been refined over the years and its pretty basic but it covers all the common ailments Im likely to encounter in a small compact package. I try and keep the items as multipurpose as possible.

here is the contents list and the basic uses,

2x sterile first field dressings, these are great for big cuts or open wounds as the large steriule pad has the bandage already attached.

1x tube of antiseptic cream. I use this on insect bites mainly or burns, can be used on open wounds.

1x bottle of foot powder, this stuff is good for feet, armpits and crotch especially is your wet/sweaty all day as it drys out the skin and stops foot rot/fungi. Its also great for prickley heat rash

2x sachets of gastro drinks, this stuff plugs you up fast, having the runs can be a serious problem in the tropics resulting in dehydration and a multitude of other ailments.

2x Iodine wipes, same use as the cream

1x large peice of cut to length bandaid

2x very small sterile vetinary scalpels, cutting out splinters, lancing blisters

1x packet of panadol, basic pain relief

assorted ranger bands for holding bandages in place, they also makes an instant torneque(excuse spelling)

2x splinter probes, these things are a must for removing splinters and thorns!!!

[/IMG]

this is the reason I carry gastro drinks, I was in Darwin AU in the jungle on a 1 week trek, on day three I got a very sore stomach and by day 4 I had a servere case of the runs, that is the understatement of the century, I wouldnt call it the runs, my shorts were like a war zone just unexpected sudden explosions. By day 5 we finally got out and I was so dehydrated I was a delerious, stinking mess and the first port of call was the hospital, after an IV and some antibiotics I was fine. The Nurse who was an ex AU army medic suggested I carry Gastro drinks and I have done ever since. Other than the massive embarrasment I was fine but I still get called stewey poooey to this day.

 

[Munky88]

I like that brown alice pouch, what kind is it?

 

[tek77]

Very generous give-away and an opportunity to improve my 1st aid kit - thank you Rotte.

Here is mine

2x various sizes band-aids;
2x gauge sponges;
1x itch relief spray (minor cuts analgesic, burns, insect bites, etc);
1x neosporin with pain relief ointment; (good fire starter too)
2x eye drops/artificial tears (very helpful when stuff gets in your eye);
1x superglue tube;
1x 3" wide elastic bandage;
1x 2" rolled gauze;
1x tweezers (+fire steel, whisle, mini light);
1x exacto blade;
1x scissors (swissarmy knife);
1x bandana.

not pictured (but always with me)
1x bic lighter;
1x hand sanitizer.
This thread gave some ideas already.

Packs fairly compact (fits in my side leg pocket on my hiking pants, otherwise in my pack)

And a situation where the superglue worked like a charm to hold the cut closed (this happen while I was carving)

 

[Rotte]

I like that brown alice pouch, what kind is it?

I think it is made by Tactical Tailor. I'll check for ya. Nice IFAK.

 

[Sufler]

4) This kit I built for my gf with my gf. I have finally had the opportunity to pull it out of the trunk of her car because that's what we originally "designed" it for. As best as I recall, the pouch itself came from my old job years back and it only had the two plastic containers left in it along with the manual. I checked the REI site and they still offer a 'Hiker First Aid' but it doesn't resemble this pouch at all. I'm not ashamed to admit it that this kit has "feminine conveniences" in mind for the "just in case" scenario - that's why you'll see the maxi-pads squeezed into every little space and their primary use isn't for "wound coverage". I am not aware that my gf has used any part of this kit yet. Although, she'd be the last to admit it too.

2 3x4 non-stick pads: these are good for cleaning and as a layer between wound and dressing to prevent sticking
2 2 3/4" x 3 adhesive bandages: a large size band aid for covering scrapes and brusing
2 2x2" gauze pads: for cleaning wound and as a covering
various maxi-pads
various band-aids: varying sizes of band aids for cuts, blisters, etc
3 x alcohol pads: sterilizer, disinfectant
q-tips: for work around eyes, some are smeared with vaseline
Wilderness First Aid Manual by William W. Forgey
lighter - always need a source for fire
cotton pads with safety pins: primary use as cleaning, but I've added vaseline to some so they could act as tinder
3 4x4 drain sponges: these are usually used around wherever anything is inserted into a patient at a hospital (iv, for example) and prevents draining. These make great large bandages.
scissors
nail clippers
#2 pencil
gauze: wound care, surgical tape: keep coverages in place, sports wrap: for sprains, latex gloves: inside pocket (not seen in photo).
plastic container #1: a number of different pills from benadryl to tylenol
plastic continer #2: strike anywhere matches with striker pad inside
3 oz squeeze bottle of saline water for wound irrigation

5) This is my ride-along kit in my Camelbak. I now use the Camelbak more for my intense treks (exercise)... half-runs almost rather than my leisurely hikes where I'm able to hear the birds and the wind. 100 oz of H2O keeps me hydrated. The OD green bandana is the primary dressing as I'd head for the car and eventually professional medical care if seriously hurt. I only decided on one heavy-duty large maxi-pad in this kit because of the Leatherman micra that has scissors for me to cut the pad into any size I'd need. Lucky enough not to have had the need to use this kit yet. (knock on wood)

3oz squeeze bottle with two saline (nasaline) packets: with 100 oz of water available, I carry the bottle empty and will mix the solution when necessary
large size maxi pad
1 2x2" gauze: wipe, clean, wound coverage
4 regular size band aids: cover small cuts, bruises, blisters.
15ft of 100lb line: always good to have string, comes in handy when you least expect it
contact lens container: one has vaseline, the other has neosporin in it
q-tips: for work around eyes
duct tape: I'm expecting a nasty gash soon enough as I often "fast walk" in rocky areas
dressing tape: to help keep pads in place
tylenol: for headaches and aches in general
mini-bic: source of fire
burts bees lip balm: my lips often get dry and chapped when I these sorts of fast walks
halls cough drops: honey flavored, these give me an extra boost

 

[Munky88]

Leave me out of the drawings, I have enough awesome knives from you already .

This is what I usually carry on a short outing. This just goes back and forth between bags. I add things to this base depending on where, or how long Im going.

-Couple band aids
-ABD pad
-Gaus pad
-Closure strips
-benzal chloride wipes
-benzal chloride tinciture
-sheepskin pads
-polysporin
-ibuprofin
-chapstick
-eyedrops
-tensor bandage
-tweasers
-gloves

No real good usage stories. Usually its just tensor bandaging the ankle of a pretty jogger, preferably one wearing yoga pants, but I'm not too picky.
If I'm going to a touristy place I usually carry extra.

 

[CellerDrummer]

Heres my FAK that I put together this year for camping..Everything fits in a small gear bag and then stowed inside the front hatch on my kayak..I'm usually with three to six others so I try to cover all my bases for a group..In the white container theres a bunch of larger bandaids,gauze,differant first aid ointmints etc..

Luckily we've had no accidents this year,,BUT we had a close call...Not anyone in my group but we had to swim after someone else who tipped over in their kayak! Heres what went down..We were all busy setting up our tents,working on the fire etc..All of a sudden "SPLASH" out in the river..Then we hear HELP,HELP..Me and two others go running out into the river..Someone yelled, that dude has a kid over there! One guy jumped in his canoe and I started swimming towards the guy in the river..I yell as I'm swimming "wheres the kid?"..I get no answer then my friend in the canoe yells "wheres the kid?" By this time the guy made it to shore and told us he had no kid in his kayak..He lost his cooler full of beer and started screaming help,help! I was bruised up from the rocks and boulders in the river but nothing was bleeding to bad..I was just glad nobody was hurt..Our guy seen the cooler in the water and thought it was a kid..About 5-6 beers later I felt fine and we all had a good time..CD

 

[CellerDrummer]

Heres everything packed up..It only takes a small amount of space in my little gear bag..CD

 

[Halberdier]

Thanks for the generous offering. I can't pass up a shot at a Fehrman! :thumbup:

I put together my own first aid kits. A large one at home. A couple in the cars. And my outdoor kits. The cases are whatever I have around that I can fit the supplies into. You can pick whatever case you like. It's the content that counts.


First, my short hike kit. I'm usually within cell phone range and no more than a couple of hours away from help if needed.


Backpack and kit.

Kit content.

This kit gives me the ability stop some moderate bleeding and clean/dress a wound. It also contains small quantities of sting, bite and burn relief creams, as well as assorted bandages.

TIP: In addition to the normal use for sprained joints, Ace bandages are excellent as compression bandages to stop major bleeding. But be careful not to restrict the blood flow to the wound area.


Edit: I just read the rules again and decided to break my post into two parts.

 

[Halberdier]

Next is a two part kit I carry in my longer hike daypack and in my overnight pack. After putting this kit together, I sat down with an MT friend to go over the content. He liked the kit overall, but recommended more heavy bandages for stopping serious bleeding. So I stuffed a few more in there.


Daypack, first aid kit and trauma kit.

First aid kit.

Trauma kit.

There's a lot of weight invested in this kit, especially when carried for just a day hike. The return is the ability to stop major external and internal bleeding, having enough supplies to redress a wound 1-2 times, and the right supplies to clean a wound well and keep it from getting infected. A large Israeli bandage, several Ace and gauze bandages and some large gauze pads are a must. A QuikClot sponge is really nice to have as well.

TIP: Alcohol pads are not much use for cleaning large wounds. Add an alcohol container (4oz in my case) to your larger kits.
TIP: Sports tape is excellent for its holding power around sprained joint and can also be used to secure large dressings.
TIP: You can fit several medications into one bottle with some detailed labeling. Here's an example.

I don't want to make this too long, so I'll stop here. Thanks again for the opportunity. :thumbup:

 

[Rotte]

Good stuff Halberdier. I've gotten a couple of ideas from this thread, thanks for the input. I would argue that there is some virtue in making a FAK easily recognizable with some obvious markings, e.g. red cross, so that in a situation one can find it easily. Or someone else can find and use the FAK to treat you.

 

[Rotte]

Contest will close in a couple of minutes. Checking the entries.....

 

[Rotte]

We have a winner.....

ghostguy6!

Well done, good entries. Send me a pm with a shipping address and the Ferhman will be on the way (with both sheaths )

Merry Christmas.