First aid kit

[Triton]

Hey guys having recently witnessed a horrific (although fortunately not to damaging to the peopel involved) accident I am in the market for a first aid kit. This woman in a Ford explorer who was ahead of me was hit in the side and her whole explorer did a flip. (Makes me not want to ever get an explorer to by the way she was hit by a Volkswagon). I jumped out with my Walmart special med kit in hand and ran up there. Some guy helped the woman out and I helped her two kids out. The little girl had a fairly deep cut on her arm so I put a butterfly bandage on that but I couldn't help thinking at the time that they and I were both lucky there was nothing worse then that. If it had been my pitiful little kit would not have handled it. I am looking at some of the kits at www.cheaperthandirt.com, but if anyone knows other good sources I sure would like to hear them. I am going to need to kits one for each car, and I'd like to keep the price down as much as possible.

 

[Flotsam]

First thing to do is get some proper first aid training, if you haven't already done so. Progressing up to EMT level would be great, but a good cpr & first aid course could go a long way.

Next, take a look at the various commercial kits, get an idea of what they stock, then either take a kit and double or triple the amount of bandaging materials, or build your own.

A good basic kit should be able to assist w/ cpr (i.e. pocket mask/shields), control bleeding (4x4s, ABD pads, trauma dresssings,roll gauze, coban, ace wraps, etc...), fix up little booboos (bandaids, bacitracin, etc...), cover a few common ailments (anti-gas/diarrheal meds, aspirin, advil, tylenol, benadryl, mylanta etc...), and help out w/ small injuries (splinting materials, steri-strip wound closure strips w/ benzoin, etc...), and some basic tools (tweezers/forceps), trauma/bandage scissors, etc...) and something to clean up with (towlettes, Purell, etc...) and last but not least, gloves!

As you get some training, start thinking about some basic diagnostic tools: inexpensive stethoscope, penlight, bp cuff (makes a great tourniquet, if INDICATED).
A minor surgical kit can come in handy - if you know how to use it & more importantly, when to use it. You can look at some airway adjuncts - nasal/oral airways are relatively easy to use. A bag-valve-mask would also be handy.

This is an item that can (and should, IMHO) evolve w/ your training & experience. You may find that you don't need many items, or that certain items are needed more often - adjust as necessary. Some items may be above your comfort level, but may be useful to someone w/ more training.

 

[Phearsome]

I've got to agree with flotsam. You should always stock and pack your own first aid kit. That way you always know what's in there, and where it is. Bad things have a habit of happening in the most awkward and unpleasant conditions, and if you're going to be a help rather than a hindrance, you need to know your tools as well as yourself.

Woohoo! First forums post

 

[Lone Hunter]

First off thanks for getting involed .

Second,what Flotsam said.

Also you really don't want to move people who have been in a crash such as a rollover.I know people get out on their own all the time,but the first thing we do is stabelize the neck,apply a collar,backboard,even if their up and walking around because they shouldn't be.

For kits try www.galls.com

 

[Oni]

Most junior colleges offer an EMT course that is a semester long. Good information for anyone to know, especially with children.

Remember to protect yourself...bodily fluids and such. A Pocket Mask for CPR is a good idea too. Never know who you are lip locking with! You can go to a medical supply place and make your own kit cheaper than one of those ready made ones.

There are lots of good first aid/first responder books out there. Good place to start.