Proper 1st Aid Contents for outdoors

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Hi all. Just some thoughts regarding 1st aid kits for packs. Some things I say may be wrong or biased, but I figure we have several EMS guys who can speak up if I am way off base.
I am reviewing some of the Adventure kits, and have been looking at various kits in stores, and am finding the same things. Bandaids, more bandaids, aspirin, antibiotic ointment, more bandaids.
I somehow end up getting tore up fairly often.:foot: Mostly my hands. I do not think I have worn a bandaid in 10 years. Why is there a need for all the band-aids, and what do they do? Likewise w/ the Aspirin/tylenol. Why? It seems like when I need 1st Aid, I grab a guaze pad and some tape. If a bandaid or aspirin can fix it, you can probably do without.
Any how, my idea of a 1st aid kit is some pads, sticky tape, long Ace bandage, and some anti-squirts. I would like to find a way to put in some heavy duty pain meds in case of a bone break or such.
I know everyone has different ideas, comments are welcome.
 
My focus on my kits is equipment that is going to save your life is something goes awry. High up on that list is controlling major bleeding. Another is maintaining an airway. A list of my stuff. It is with me if I am trail running, if I am hiking, camping, ect

CAT Tourniquet x 2
Israeli Bandage x 3
Quick Clot x1 (Proper and correct training and use is paramount)
Long 14 guage needle for chest decompression
Nasophaerael Airway tube
Medical quick reference card
Chitosan Bandage x1
SAMI splint
Duck Tape
Gause (prepacked)
Vicotin x 2
800mg Ibuprofin x 6
Dihirea medication x 8
General antibiotic x 8

In my opinion a good antibiotic oitment on my cottonballs will take care of any scrapes. I don't know why people find the need for bandaids and such. Carry stuff thats gonna save lives.

One of my places that I like to get stuff is North American Rescue. I first started being issued their kits in Iraq and came home and started buying one for my cars as time/money allowed. I highly recomment their kits. I guess you could call me an armchair medical guy. The only training I have is through the Army.

My .02
 
Hey Guys..
Fieldtestor..

Great kit...

One item that would be cool to add to that would be skin stapler...

I also carry a couple of large military field dressing, hemos, several different scissors, different tweezers ect..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
I know I allways take some krazy glue. Works great for small cuts, but make sure their clean befor! :D
 
Fieldtest, same idea but I have no specialized training bar CPR.

Fonly, you only get one shot, and then I would have to find someone else to cut all my fingers apart.:)

I was just realizing that very little of my 1st aid kits get used, and was thinking about what kind of situations a person might run into. Cuts, gashes, breaks, sprains, etc.

Thinking out loud I guess.
 
I agree to some extent to what you are saying, cuts are a part of daily life and more often than not need little or no treatment.


I carry some trauma pads, gauze, crazy glue, airways, gloves, and the like, I have also bandaged wounds with a bandana and duct tape when nothing else was on hand.

Pain reliever, Anti diarhea med, Antacid, Anti hystamine, and some cough drops are staples in every pack

I dont use blood stop since i havent been trained on it yet,

in general I am a little over prepared when it comes to first aid, mabey its because I am an EMT first aid instuctor :rolleyes:


I almost never use pre packaged kits, I do sometimes use the cases however since they are sometimes really well designed (eg adventure medical kits)



The point of most kits is to treat small injuries before they become big problems, EX: pain, can be a distraction, A headache or back pain may be lessened if not taken away, by an over the counter anelgesic, reducing the distraction and making it easier to concentrate on things like Navigation,

A "hotspot" treated early with mole skin or a bandaid may not develope into a blister Saving you some pain and reducing your risk for infection.

Bandaids are just easier and more resistant to damage and dirt than a 2x2 and tape, Plus they provide good constant pressure especially in easily cut and veinous areas such as fingers and toes.

Walking around bleeding is just dumb when 30 seconds and a bandaid could
stop it. any hole in the skin is a port for infection to get in, covering an open would with a bandaid, can help reduce that risk.

These Kits are also often designed for groups, over an extended period, keep that in mind.

You are lucky you fist aid kit gets used so little, Mine gets used More or less frequently depending on who I go afield with. If I end up using it too much for one person, I dont go afield with them anymore. :p
 
RescueGuy, thanks.:) (sounds like a B movie line:D )
That was well said and the best explanation for some of these I have heard. It makes a lot of sense, and says I might have to rethink some of these things. Not only that, it just feels good to be all bandaged up right.:D
I have asked this question several times to different people, and this is the first time that any of the info has stuck into my skull.:)
 
Glad to hear I make your Scull Sticky :D :barf:

In the pediatrics portion of Nursing and Emt Training I learned the magical power of bandaids, I Alway carry Kiddie bandaids with me since they do make kids feel better, and adults either think there cool or are embarrassed enough by wearing them, they will be more carful in the future.
 
I think you have received some good advice here. I am not saying anything that hasn't already been said here. Just a quick summary. After years of carrying around stuff, I have my outdoor kit contents narrowed down to two basic categories.
1) The stuff that will take care of a gash, sprain, break, and hopefully get you out of a modern day survival scenario.
2) Longer term items, which are more for comfort. These do not necessarily cover item number 1, but for extended hiking/camping trips. Items like moleskin etc can keep a blister comfortable, rather than ruining the trip, or cutting it short.

Great info here.
 
I carry a belt pak that contains my FAK in the field in it I carry 3 5x9 bulky dressings, 8 4x4 gause dressings, several 2x2 gause dressings, 2 two inch rolls of kling wrap, 1 two inch and 1 3 inch ace bandage, 2 triangular bandages (Cravats) 2 ten ml sealed vials of saline (irigating wounds/burns or eyes) 2 three ml syringes (no needle attatched) to assist irrigation, a number of q tips, 1 2iinch roll of medical tape, 1 cpr mask, 3 pairs of nitrile golves, 1 pair of trauma (bandage shears) 1 benadryl pen (over the counter) 1 small plastic bottle of iodine) 1 small plastic bottle of had sanitizer 1 small med bag containing Ibuprofen, Pepto bismal, benadryl tabs, and day quil tabs, and a few alcohal wipes, and a pair of tweezers....I think that's it... I try to steer away from carrying any prescription medication...as if it is not prescribed to you it can be considered an illegal controlled substance...I also do not carry tourniquettes...as that is an absolute last resort in regards of bleeding control. I have yet to ever see one being used in the field during my years in NYC EMS ( I hope I never do ) abd if worse comes to worse they are easy enoug tho make out of any other material you might have on you. sorry to ramble..Great kits guys. Incidentally my FAK fits into a relatively small Mil surplus pouch I have an identical one that holds my PSK.
 
So are there any medications that will cover the pain of a broken limb w/out making you mind numbingly stupid? Reason I ask is a situation like being solo in boonies and having to get back? Splint it and pop pills for a day or two until you can get help? What would be the results of such a course? I guess if you were following proper procedures it would not happen, but just wondered how dire a situation like that would be.
 
these are fine sets if you use them for yourself or your family - but remember not to help anyone with medicine (like the ibuprofen or antibiotics) if you have not made sure he is not an allergic. We had a case over here where a teacher treated a kid with some hydocotisone (the pupil was suffering from an insect-bite) - the child was allergic to cortisone and things went worse. The parents tried to sue the teacher.

I recommend to pack a "cooling-pad" (do not know wht it is called in English) - a 4"x4" sized pad that gets cold when you press on an internal bag (chemical reaction) - over here one costs about 2 $ - and it is a good thing after stings or to prevent contusions from swelling.

Andreas
 
I always carry some bandaids. Its great as kids love it. At the beach one time i seen a woman whose kid fell down and had a bleeding knee. Some ointment with a bandaid on top and the kid didnt just felt better. I was a hero once again. Like EMS i find that if you get a cut an ointment with a bandaid works great to keep the dirt out.

Sasha
 
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