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Very nice kit! I envy your organizational skills.
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Finally finished my new wilderness first aid kit (pics for clicks)
- Thread starter Hassilov
- Start date
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- Jan 28, 2006
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I thought I was the only one that toted a portable hospital (what my friends call my FAK)!! 
Couple tips: I'd really find a way to at least put a pair of bandage scissors in there. If you bandage like I do, you'll really appreciate being able to cut the bandage off to change it, and they are much safer than using a knife to do it. They are quite small, and should have no trouble putting them in there.
Second, I've found Naproxin Sodium (Aleve) to be MUCH more effective on me as a pain killer and anti inflamatory than Tylenol or Motrin. In some cases, better than prescription meds. Both when I had my wisdom teeth out and my foot surgery, a couple of Aleve relieved my pain better than Hydrocodone/APAP 10/650. YMMV
Couple tips: I'd really find a way to at least put a pair of bandage scissors in there. If you bandage like I do, you'll really appreciate being able to cut the bandage off to change it, and they are much safer than using a knife to do it. They are quite small, and should have no trouble putting them in there.
Second, I've found Naproxin Sodium (Aleve) to be MUCH more effective on me as a pain killer and anti inflamatory than Tylenol or Motrin. In some cases, better than prescription meds. Both when I had my wisdom teeth out and my foot surgery, a couple of Aleve relieved my pain better than Hydrocodone/APAP 10/650. YMMV
- Joined
- Oct 8, 1998
- Messages
- 8,917
CountyComm has some nice ones and they are dirt cheap.
You're right, in that, someone should at least try it. You have to understand though, it doesn't work better, it just works better for you. There is a big difference. I used that stuff when it was Rx only and it couldn't kill a headache! (I know you said on "me," I'm just clarifying for everyone else.) In general, Tylenol and Ibuprofen together when necessary, work incredibly well with me but the Alieve never did it for me. My Wife, on the other hand, has incredible results with Alieve and Tylenol doesn't do much. Everyone's chemistry is different.
If you can get a Rx for Vicodin ES, Flagyl and Penicillin, that should take the edge off of anything other than extreme pain, treat waterborne bugs in case you get one and handle other, minor infections that can be debilitating like an infected tooth, respectively. Make sure you are not allergic to the penicillin, etc.
I always carry 3m (Brand Name) Steri-Strips and Povidone-Iodine Prep Pads as well, they take care of a whole lot of laceration problems in the field.
Nice kit. That's the beauty of canoe or kayak trips: you have more room and can take more weight.
As an EMT I pack too much, but when I was mountain guiding I would constantly consider every item I brought because of weight and space issues. Everything I carry has to have at least 2 purposes, most can be used for many different things.
I like using energy gel's for diabetics, such as Gu, although the cake icing works well and is cheaper.
Also consider packing some povidone iodine wipes as you can use them to help sanitize water if you pack wounds, pressure irrigate, etc.
You probably know this but you can use a 1-quart ziploc to pressure irrigate wounds by poking a hole in it and squeeze hard (wear your sunglasses). They weigh nothing and have a ton of uses.
As an EMT I pack too much, but when I was mountain guiding I would constantly consider every item I brought because of weight and space issues. Everything I carry has to have at least 2 purposes, most can be used for many different things.
I like using energy gel's for diabetics, such as Gu, although the cake icing works well and is cheaper.
Also consider packing some povidone iodine wipes as you can use them to help sanitize water if you pack wounds, pressure irrigate, etc.
You probably know this but you can use a 1-quart ziploc to pressure irrigate wounds by poking a hole in it and squeeze hard (wear your sunglasses). They weigh nothing and have a ton of uses.
Thanks. The replies have been very helpful in tweaking the kit. I actually have water purification tablets in the kit (forgot to list it). I couldn't find a good irrigation syringe so as you guessed, I included the ziplock bag for that reason.
I think the kit is now pretty tuned. Truthfully, if it were any bigger I wouldn't want to take it with me. But it's first aid so I'll lug this case and lighten up somewhere else. Even though I've only ever needed band aids in the past.
I build first aid kits for others and my ultralight trauma kits usually consist of the following:
5x9 Trauma Pad (a.k.a. ABD, abdominal, or combine pad)
1 or 2 Roller Gauze, depending on end use (preferably priMed to save space)
3" or 4" compression bandage with velcro closure instead of clips
4x4 Gauze Pads
Triangle Bandage (unnecessary if you carry a bandana)
Duct Tape (wrapped around a pencil, sharpened at both ends. A billion times better than any med tape, including 3M Durapore, my personal favorite)
3 or 4 Large Safety Pins
Nitrile Gloves
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Povidone Iodine Wipes
3 Pill Baggies (for adding pain killer, anti-diarreal meds, and Benadryl)
2 Ziploc double zipper freezer bags in 1-qt size (one for holding the kit, the other for ice packs, wound irrigation, prepping packing materials, etc.)
Waterproof Paper
I find this will get you through the vast majority of injuries, when accompanied by practice, experience and ingenuity.
Sorry for the hijack!
Good on you for taking the initiative and being prepared for eventualities.
5x9 Trauma Pad (a.k.a. ABD, abdominal, or combine pad)
1 or 2 Roller Gauze, depending on end use (preferably priMed to save space)
3" or 4" compression bandage with velcro closure instead of clips
4x4 Gauze Pads
Triangle Bandage (unnecessary if you carry a bandana)
Duct Tape (wrapped around a pencil, sharpened at both ends. A billion times better than any med tape, including 3M Durapore, my personal favorite)
3 or 4 Large Safety Pins
Nitrile Gloves
Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Povidone Iodine Wipes
3 Pill Baggies (for adding pain killer, anti-diarreal meds, and Benadryl)
2 Ziploc double zipper freezer bags in 1-qt size (one for holding the kit, the other for ice packs, wound irrigation, prepping packing materials, etc.)
Waterproof Paper
I find this will get you through the vast majority of injuries, when accompanied by practice, experience and ingenuity.
Sorry for the hijack!
Good on you for taking the initiative and being prepared for eventualities.
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2008
- Messages
- 7,702
Yes, this is true:thumbup:. That's why when doctors prescribe medications that already contain acetaminophen (active ingredient in Tylenol and certain other Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) they warn you to stop taking over-the-counter acetaminophen products. Acetaminophen alone in high doses or with prolonged administration is hepatotoxic. Combine that with ethanol and you open yourself up to severe liver injury. Administration of ethanol or acetaminophen in high doses to rodents is actually used by researchers as one model of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice, but I myself would opt for Ibuprofen if I were looking to take the edge off a hangover the next morning.
Good lookin kit Hassilov! :thumbup:
I'm also going to make up a new, compact, personal first aid kit I can take with me when soloing. My idea of contents is almost exactly the same as yours. I'm going to add band aids (and a SAM splint which I'll have to pack separately). Good idea about the bandana!
Hi,
I would advise against trying to get an Epi-Pen for a first aid kit. It isn't necessary. It isn't meant for somebody with the hives or a rash. It's only to be used when there is anaphylactic shock. i.e. swelling of the airway, (wheezing or stridor), hypotension, (low blood pressure). And you need to know that it was caused by an allergic reaction, (insect sting or food ingestion), BEFORE you go poking someone with an EpiPen. People who are at such risk, often know so and generally carry their own Epi-Pen and don't need yours.
Epinephrine is hard on the heart as it constricts the blood vessels and causes the heart to work harder. It increases the heart rate and blood pressure. If someone has a pre-existing or unknown heart condition, you could easily kill them with a heart attack.
Carrying prescription type medications in a first aid kit is not a really good idea. First off, they expire and need to be replaced regularly. And secondly and most importantly, very few of us have the training and knowledge to know when, where, and why to use a medication. We aren't Doctors. We could easily cause more harm than good.
Remember, it isn't the size of the kit or what it contains, it's what you know in your head and the skills in your hands that will make the difference.
dalee
I would advise against trying to get an Epi-Pen for a first aid kit. It isn't necessary. It isn't meant for somebody with the hives or a rash. It's only to be used when there is anaphylactic shock. i.e. swelling of the airway, (wheezing or stridor), hypotension, (low blood pressure). And you need to know that it was caused by an allergic reaction, (insect sting or food ingestion), BEFORE you go poking someone with an EpiPen. People who are at such risk, often know so and generally carry their own Epi-Pen and don't need yours.
Epinephrine is hard on the heart as it constricts the blood vessels and causes the heart to work harder. It increases the heart rate and blood pressure. If someone has a pre-existing or unknown heart condition, you could easily kill them with a heart attack.
Carrying prescription type medications in a first aid kit is not a really good idea. First off, they expire and need to be replaced regularly. And secondly and most importantly, very few of us have the training and knowledge to know when, where, and why to use a medication. We aren't Doctors. We could easily cause more harm than good.
Remember, it isn't the size of the kit or what it contains, it's what you know in your head and the skills in your hands that will make the difference.
dalee
My understanding of the matter is that wilderness first aid, in the absence of immediate 911 response, can involve providing extra care to the injured. But you still don't have any right to administer OTC or prescription medication without consent.
Treating people for anaphylactic shock requires a prior understanding between you and them on actions to take. These people will no doubt already have an epipen with their personal gear that you can administer to open their closed airway. It's the only lifesaving action for them at this point. After that, they still must be treated with antihistamines.
In an instance where a person begins showing signs that a sting or allergy is going to be trouble: like severe itching or hives, swelling, difficulty breathing – you can administer (with consent) antihistamines. Have them chew it. If the situation worsens and there's no epipen, do CPR and pray.
Treating people for anaphylactic shock requires a prior understanding between you and them on actions to take. These people will no doubt already have an epipen with their personal gear that you can administer to open their closed airway. It's the only lifesaving action for them at this point. After that, they still must be treated with antihistamines.
In an instance where a person begins showing signs that a sting or allergy is going to be trouble: like severe itching or hives, swelling, difficulty breathing – you can administer (with consent) antihistamines. Have them chew it. If the situation worsens and there's no epipen, do CPR and pray.
Epi-pens are very temporary, as in they work for 15-20 minutes, which is usually long enough to take care of the anaphylaxis. That's why they come in twin packs, in case the first dose wasn't enough. Follow up with benadryl and monitor carefully, especially airways.
I've been stung by over a hundred bees over the years (more than 70 at one time, but fortunately no real side effects, although this is what lead to my bee venom sensitivity). It took a single hornet sting to the head to shut down my throat and airway. Epi-pen stays with me, along with injectable epi in my comprehensive kit and benadryl in every kit.
Also beware of doing any advanced medical procedures that are beyond your scope of practice on anybody but yourself and loved ones. You are definitely open to law suits. I'll do a whole lot on myself and family, but only BLS when helping civilians in an urban setting. Remote medicine is a different animal, but still opens you up to lawsuits. It's sad that we have to think this way, but it's foolish to be blind to the possibilities.
Consider taking a Wilderness First Responder course at a minimum, to learn remote medicine. It could save your or a loved one's life.
I've been stung by over a hundred bees over the years (more than 70 at one time, but fortunately no real side effects, although this is what lead to my bee venom sensitivity). It took a single hornet sting to the head to shut down my throat and airway. Epi-pen stays with me, along with injectable epi in my comprehensive kit and benadryl in every kit.
Also beware of doing any advanced medical procedures that are beyond your scope of practice on anybody but yourself and loved ones. You are definitely open to law suits. I'll do a whole lot on myself and family, but only BLS when helping civilians in an urban setting. Remote medicine is a different animal, but still opens you up to lawsuits. It's sad that we have to think this way, but it's foolish to be blind to the possibilities.
Consider taking a Wilderness First Responder course at a minimum, to learn remote medicine. It could save your or a loved one's life.