First Aid Kit

S

Slidetechnik

Joined
Jul 16, 2009
Messages
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I'm interested in picking up a first aid kit and figured I'd see what people are using. This will exclusively be used for emergency preparedness.

My priorities are completeness of kit, compact, and light weight. This is pure function, so cool factor is not necessary. I just want to make sure it's portable and doesn't take up too much space in a backpack.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
 
Been a regular topic here.

This is mine. Had it for some years now. I hope this will give you some ideas and a reference -

Building-your-own-IFAK.html

Sorry for the crappy shots -

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The thing with first aid kits is no one will do everything you need it to. Also... having stuff you don't know how to use will also do you no good. :)

I start with some of the smaller Adventure Medical Kits, and then add what I feel could be useful when out and about.
 
I found that the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .5 works pretty well for my needs. I feel ok just tossing that in my daypack with some added bandages, butterflys, and a small bottle of eyedrops. Plenty of coverage for the short walks I usually take, and plenty good when I'm traveling near/in civilization.

-Nadz
 
if you are a shooter, you might consider a "blow out" kit... Kerlix gauze, Israeli bandage, SF tourniquet, pressure dressings, QuickClot, irrigation syringe , burn gel, betadine, adherent stretch tape, nasal pharangeal airway, EMT shears, hemostat, etc
 
I had to make my own. The problem with ready-made FAK's is that for the most part, they exclude medications. Mine contains all the regular things you would find in a FAK (gauzes, tape, bandages, etc..) plus tylenol, ibuprofen, anti histamine, anti diarrheal, betadine, crazy glue, syringe, mole skin, and my favorite anti-bacterial.

It all fits into an old pencil bag I have. Plus, for a bit more than the price of a ready made one, you can go to walmart or your favorite pharmacy and buy enough of this stuff to make several kits (car, gf/wife, work, etc.)

Some will say these things are not necessary, but flexibility is one of the things I value in my kit.

JW360
 
I bought a standard FAK at an outdoor store. Those FAKs are usually contained in a well made waterproof package. I added some items to it like tick pliers, a Victorinox Classic, extra plasters and a few other items.
 
Thanks guys. I ended up going with the Adventure Medical Kits .5 It has most of the basics, it's small and light, it's waterproof, and affordable. It fits the bill nicely.
 
I like using the Adventure Medical Kits as a base and adding/removing items. I've got a ton of them scattered around.

1. .3 in my laptop bag
2. .3 in my day hiking pack
3. .5 in my overnight pack
4. .9 for around the house

I've just added a few things like Advil, Gravol, Pepto, Polysporin, Water treatment tablets and a few other things that allow them to serve their intended purpose.

Great little kits :thumbup:
 
#1 - do a first aid course. Knowledge is power.

I've worked as an emergency physician in the past.
Carried an intensive care unit in the trunk of my car - most of it going out of date without being used. Nowadays it's much smaller and targeted to life-saving.
Specialized items for airway (airways & cricoid puncture kit), breathing (relieve tension pneumothorax with a big IV cannula + flutter valve) and bandages to control bleeding and cover a sucking chest wound.
Epipen for anaphylaxis - nothing else is as good in that life-threatening situation.
Staples are great for immediate wound closure, control bleeding from scalp wounds nicely. .
Having said that - there's plenty of other stuff around the house of the wipes/iodine variety. Assortment of basic medicines. Water treatment. Cardboard is fine for splinting fractures. For travel, probably the key thing is a supply of your regular meeds (and a backup supply).
Blisters on the trail I treat with needle and thread - leaving the thread in as a wick but I'm old fashioned.
Duct tape, headlight, plenty of gloves and a multitool are always handy...
 
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