Help me build a GREAT first aid kit...

Sproles

Sproles

Joined
Jan 11, 1999
Messages
700
Ok folks...I KNOW I can count on you guys to help me "build" the perfect first aid kit. Please list out the essential items for "truck" use. i will keep thi sin my truck for those emergencies that might happen whil eout working in the yard, field, on the road (auto accident) etc. What do you kep your kit in, and.or what would you suggest me keeping this perfect kit in?

Also, WHERE do you guys buy your first aid stuff? I have a pretty good FA kit already, but it definitely could use some help. Fortunately one of my best friends owns a first aid/home health company, so the supplies should be able to be found/purchased pretty easily/cheaply.

Look forward to your advice!

David
 
Dude ~ I pack my ATWATER CARREY First Aid Kit whenever I set out on my expeditions.. Check out www.rei.com for a listing of some really AWESOME kits for the wilderness as well as expedition standard stuff!

Sam
 
I'd second the motion on the Atwater Carey kits. I have an "Expedition" kit in my car. It's come in handy several times at the shooting range -- mainly cuts, scrapes, minor burns, etc.

I've added a SAM splint, Benedryl, Imodium, a cold pack, a couple of OB tampons (can be used for the obvious or to pack a wound) and Burn Away, a really great burn/bite/sunburn treatment.

Check out http://www.equipped.org for interesting comparisons between the various commercially available first aid kits.

Hope this helps,
Chad
 
Ok,try a old fashioned drugstore they often have more and will cut open the 25 packs to sell you one or two.Also try www.galls.com

Now first aid, ems whatever is more of a knowledge thing than a hardware one so if you have not already get some training.

What I carry in my car.

1. gloves and safety glasses
2.facemask with one way valve for cpr use
3.airways so the air will get in while doing cpr
4.pad/pen to write down pt.med.history,vital signs,meds.name, age ect.
the responders will be very happy to get this info and it will save them TIME
5.ass. dressings,4x4,5x9s ect
6.gauze to hold dressings in place
7.saline solution to flush eyes,cleanwounds,cool burns,place knockout teeth in
8.shears
9.ice pack and small commercial first aid kit for bandaids,tweezers ect.

The perfect kit would have an oxygen tank,bag valve mask,and a defibultor.:)
 
Hi Sproles

this should be fairly complete for you "civilians" :p

bandaids/dressings (kerlex rolls) ABD pads make great pressure dressings. can also use kerlex to jerryrig a splint
small bottle disinfectant (betadyne good, does not sting much)
small bottle sterile saline (250cc)
tube of bacitracin (antibiotic ointment)
small forceps and fine tweezers for removing stuff
gloves (do not get strangers blood on you)
one way cpr mask a good idea
few nsaids (motrin)for ouches
couple asa (aspirin). only drug shown to decrease mortality in heart attacks, do not give to bleeding people!
cell phone/radio, best idea! gets people with the real stuff to the scene!



if you are allergic to bees an epipen (epinephrine autoinjector) is a great idea if you decide to have a bout of anaphylaxis. only avail. by perscription and should not be left in car to bake/freeze if you want it to last.


personally, I only carry gloves, few rolls of kerlex and 2 14ga angiocaths for decompressing tension pneumos. I used to carry more but it just cluttered up my truck.....
 
I usually carry one of the kits by Adventure Medical. The size depends on the duration and destination. I also supplement the kits with extra band aids, medicine and dressings. Just a pain when it comes to the annual expiry date check.

I must recommend the need for proper first aid training and CPR.

If you really want a kit to assemble on your own, this is a kit I put together for some of our staff visting the Indonesian boonies last year expecially for novices. Just pack into a suitable organiser bag.

1 Betadine ointment
4 Antiseptic towelettes,
2 Knuckle bandage
3 3" x 3" sterile gauze pads
2 3" x 4" non-adherent dressing
2 1" x 10 yards tape
2Strips Asprin/Tylenol for Headache
2 Strips Antihistamine for Colds
2 Strips Immodium for diarrhea
2 Packets Oral Rehydration Salts for diarrhea
2 Strips Mylanta for upset stomach
1 Course of anti Malarial
1 Course of broad Spectrum antibiotics.
1 Box Band aids
1 Bottle Betadine Solution for cuts and water purification

1 Pen
1 Notebook
1 Lighter
1 String
1 Duct Tape
2 Zip lock bags
1 EMT Sheares
1 Torchlight
1 Spare Bulb
1 Sets Spare Batteries
1 Light stick

Laminated Card with contents
Laminated Card listing medicines, cautions and use.
 
Originally posted by Ron@SOG
Is there room for an ER Dr. in there? ;)
Click to expand...

I really miss Doc Welch at times like this. :(

Anyways, I'd agree that the kits at Galls, REI, or Adventure would be a good starting point, depending on what kind of environment or situation you can predict finding yourself in.

More importantly, however, as others have mentioned, the most important tool or equipment you can have is in your noggin. Good training can find ways of making do in an emergency, while the best of equipment, in the hands of someone without training, can be worthless.

My state MFR license was acquired through sitting in and training with our local fire department. Call your local Red Cross or municipal services (Public Safety, police department, fire department) for their training source. Also, check with your local community college or adult education system. They often have first aid and CPR classes which can get you started.
 
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