Decent First Aid Kit?

[LR Max]

I needed my first aid kit this weekend (just needed a band aid) and I noticed that my first aid kit is a pile of fawk. Its been good but it is now time for a replacement.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a reasonable first aid kit? I'm looking to cover most of the basics while having room to put in a few items I like (more band aids, some stuff for bug bites, etc). I would prefer something that is waterproof but if not I can work around it.

I'm looking for something under 50 bucks (?) if possible but I am open to more expensive options if its worth it.

Thanks ya'll.

[Skerb]

check these out
the hunter
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp?series=600&seriesNav=Dom&kit=601&kitNO=0105-0288

ohttp://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp?series=100&seriesNav=Dom&kit=103&kitNO=0100-0118utdoor adventure (http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp?series=100&seriesNav=Dom&kit=103&kitNO=0100-0118)


and I saw this on the nalgene website a while back:

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1158

they have one for outdoor survival and auto and first aid, i thought they were pretty cool...and waterproof

[Elwenil]

I have one of these:

http://www.uscav.com/Productinfo.aspx?productID=6860&TabID=1&CatID=60

Very good kit for the money and excellent for anyone with a general knowledge of EMT training. It can be carried with a shoulder strap or with the included backpack straps. 6 compartments make it easy to organize and find stuff in a hurry. It folds up into a nice pack about 1' square and has plenty of extra room to add stuff and customize your kit. It's a real field medic kit so it has some stuff you probably will never use like splints, stethoscope, scalpels, etc but well worth the money for all you get. Also, it is a good idea to take an EMT class or two so you know what to do in an emergency besides just put on band-aids. You never know when you will be far from help in an emergency.

[Chrisbuilt]

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11100551&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&N=4010062&in_dim_search=1&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&No=0&Mo=14&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&lang=en-US&Sp=C&search=first%20aid&topnav=

[gavan]

As a paramedic, I will add my two cents here:

First aid bags are great, as long as you know how to use them. Make sure you are familiar with everything is in the bag and look into first aid training.

The biggest thing is communications and knowing where you are. If there is a bad accident, no first aid bag will help. Sat phone and GPS, or GPS and HAM radio, whatever you can do to get a good fix on yourself. Most med-vac helos can get on scene with only a GPS coords.

The only real fix for internal injuries is a trauma surgeon.

[LR Max]

Gavan,

I am not am EMT and I wouldn't attempt to do anything "major". However I did get ma first aid badge in the boy scouts and can treat shock :D. I've got communications gear out the ying yang along with GPS. If there was a severe problem I think I would have a fairly good chance at contacting the outside world.

Thanks for the other recommendations. I like those adventure ones pretty good.

[gavan]

Treating shock is a good thing, but recognizing shock and realizing someone needs help is much better. Alot of people don't understand the difference.

http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=MB027

That is the size of my personal bag.

A BP cuff and a decent stethoscope can help diagnose alot of badness.

An assortment of bandages / tape / gauze /etc will stop bleeding, make sure you have something to clean the wound to stop infection.

Saline eye wash, nox-a-sting (for beestings), ACE bandages, ice packs, etc. will help alot with comfort.

A big part of your first aid kit, especially for long trips, is your personal comfort and well being. Do you get heart burn? Bring lots of Tums. Headaches? Make sure you have plenty of your personal remedy. Contacts? Cleanser, case, second set of glasses. Take prescription drugs? Take some extra. And forgodssake, dont shove them all in the same expired drug vial. Looking at a pile of pills is a mess. If you are going to put them all in the same container, at least write down the medication, dose and expiration date.

Nothing ruins a good week/weekend like something preventable, heart burn, headache, etc.


Another big thing with first aid kits is to keep up on them. Just like your truck. You dont fill up the fluids once and expect them to last forever, your first aid kit is the same way. If you buy one and throw it in, and need it four years later, everything will be out of date, bandaids will have dried up, etc. One a year (at least), check the kit, look at your expiration dates, put in some fresh supplies and keep the older supplies for home use.

[mobs]

and unless you know what the hell you are doing with first aid.. dont do it.. youll cause more problems by doing it if you dont know..wait till help arrives.. if its bleeding apply pressure.. thats all you should do.

but if you dont know.. i think everyone should at least take a firstaid/cpr/aed/bbp class.. its mostly common sence but its needed information.

[miniyota]

walmart has a good kit for $10. it comes in a plastic case. will work with most minor injuries enough to get you to the hospital.

[MNorby]

walmart has a good kit for $10. it comes in a plastic case. will work with most minor injuries enough to get you to the hospital.

I almost bought a few of those $10 one the other day, looks like a decent value.

[Tumbleweed]

Add a tube of Oralgel to your first aid kit. Seen way too many trips, outings, etc ruined and shortened by a toothache.

[terryd]

Get involved with a nurse. My g/f built us one HELL of a first aid kit. She used a fishing-tackle box and filled it with stuff. Even stuff to put in stitches and rolaids.

[yotasmob]

I have one of these, though you can make one yourself for a lot cheaper I am sure. At least it was a gift :D

http://www.rei.com/product/708126

It came with pretty much everything I could think of but I did add a few things. So far it has come in handy many times. Its also very well constructed and accomodates a lot of stuff for its size.

[grocery getter]

I have a combat lifesaver bag in my truck. The army got one thing right when they put these bags together. Not sure where a civilian could pick one up. Maybe check your local DRMO? One thing that should be in a kit is derma-bond or super glue. Its a quick fix to seal up cut that would require a couple of stitches.

[Dusty Booger]

I have a combat lifesaver bag in my truck. The army got one thing right when they put these bags together. Not sure where a civilian could pick one up. Maybe check your local DRMO? One thing that should be in a kit is derma-bond or super glue. Its a quick fix to seal up cut that would require a couple of stitches.

Ditto on the super glue. I just got back from backpacking in Glacier National Park with some friends. Two days into a 7 day trip one guy fell off a waterfall and cut his hand open to the point of visible muscle and tendons. We washed it out, added some neosporin, & super glued it shut. He was able to finish the trip and it did not get infected- mostly I think due to the glue keeping crap out.

[HanzoSteel]

Get a good first aid kit even if you don't know how to use all the stuff its still a good idea because even though you may not know how to use the stuff there may be others around that do.

[LeftCoastLax]

we got a bunch of ricky rescues in here with scanners chasing fire trucks? :shaking:

[aaron t]

the super glue idea is really a pretty good one. it is by itself fairly aseptic. the only diff between what you buy is some purple dye, and autoclave and about $250 for a single .5cc unit:eek:


also a medic, gavin really put the point on it. out here in az, a friend of mine was the trauma surgeon that worked on the kid in the formula toy that died a month ago. albeit his injuries may have been unrecoverable even if he had crashed next door to a trauma center, it still took over an hour just to contact some form of ems.

even as a medic, i am almost useless without thousands of dollars worth of equipment, when it comes to trauma, getting a pt into the hands of a surgeon, is truly paramount. ham radio, even if used "illegally" is a much better bet. you can have another ham with a phone line relay your gps location and done.

[aaron t]

we got a bunch of ricky rescues in here with scanners chasing fire trucks? :shaking:

uhh what?

[dan58]

Check the misc section here. Someone was selling kits for a darn good price. They have all sorts of stuff in them. My club bought a slew of them.
Be sure to take sting kill swabs. Those things are (literally) life savers.

[Elwenil]

Just a note, I don't believe that using a Amateur Radio (HAM) in an emergency is illegal. Just state the nature of your emergency and as much info as you can provide. I never actually tested to get my license, but in my studies for the testing I seem to remember a lot of stuff on HAM use during emergencies. I don't think any of the good people who operate a HAM station or the FCC would care if someone without a license was using a radio to get help. I think they would do whatever they can to help out.

[boom harvey]

If you have an old ammo can those are water tight. Then fill it based on your trip so you have fresh gear everytime you go out. No dried bandages or expired meds.

[4x4mike]

Look around in the Rubicon section of this site. In the past there have been many threads regarding first aid kits, trama kits, training, communication and liability.
Personally my bag is stocked with things I have put in there. Some outfits sell individual items that work really well, like bloodclot. Biggest thing is that you have a kit with you, let others know where it is and you know how to use it. On another note, sometimes it is better to have too much stuff. Chances are there is someone at the scene that knows more than you but doesn't have the supplies, I wouldn't rely on this though.

[4x4mike]

Just a note, I don't believe that using a Amateur Radio (HAM) in an emergency is illegal. Just state the nature of your emergency and as much info as you can provide. I never actually tested to get my license, but in my studies for the testing I seem to remember a lot of stuff on HAM use during emergencies. I don't think any of the good people who operate a HAM station or the FCC would care if someone without a license was using a radio to get help. I think they would do whatever they can to help out.

It is NOT illegal. Check out the threads as mentioned above, in the Rubicon section. If you're going out into the back country it is a good idea to have some who is set up. Personally I do not have one nor do the people I travel with. It is a great way to connect directly to emergency personel. A plus would be a good GPS or map to give exact locations and possible know LZ's.

[FearMe]

Do not forget 'Imodium', Pepto Bismo and baby wipes or you WILL live to regret not doing so. Don't ask me how I know. :)

[hperiman]

Most of the Medics I have worked with have all told me to make you own. The ones you buy all put together are not very good, even the expensive ones. The best thing to do in my opinion is talk to a paramedic who has been around and take a look at their personal kit. Also make sure a couple people you wheel with knows CPR. Classes are free and you might just save someone’s life. I know if it was not for my job I would probably not taken a CPR course, but once there I realized how important it was, especially the pediatric portion.

[Wolfer]

Build your own with stuff you Know how to use but with BBP first thing you put in is rubber gloves itll save ALOT of worry if by chance you do need to use it, Specially when your working on someone you Dont Know.

[Elwenil]

I agree that building your own is a good idea but for a lot of us without EMT experience, a basic kit is a great start and most of the good one's have extra room to customize your own loadout. I think the main issues is to include the day to day items like bandaids and OTC meds and also to include the things that treat the most likely injuries. Sometimes the best thing is to have on hand the equipment to stabilize the injured person and be able to call for help. Things like tourniquets, cold packs, compression bandages and even Quikclot can stop excessive bleeding or otherwise treat an injury to keep the situation from getting worse until trained help can provide. Again, if you go out beyond the call for help, as is common in expedition situations, you better have the equipment and the training to handle whatever comes your way.

[offroadjunkie]

if you can go to a EMS supply place and get one. They have stuff in there that even if you dont know how to use someone like myself who is an emt will. Just incase. Its always better to have more stuff than you need than not enough. I just bought a med kit for $100 from our local supply store and i love it. Just remember though you must keep your stuff stocked.

[ElJeepo79]

Build your own with stuff you Know how to use but with BBP first thing you put in is rubber gloves itll save ALOT of worry if by chance you do need to use it, Specially when your working on someone you Dont Know.

And to be extra safe (for the injured) just go ahead and pick up some nitrile (non-latex) gloves. Latex allergies really suck (ask me, I know), why add to their discomfort.

[winkosmosis]

Does anyone want to make a comprehensive list? I'm sure there are things most of us wouldn't think of, but where are we gonna find an EMT to pester with first aid kit questions?

[Elwenil]

Does anyone want to make a comprehensive list? I'm sure there are things most of us wouldn't think of, but where are we gonna find an EMT to pester with first aid kit questions?

Just buy a kit. The whole point in building your own is to customize it to your needs. If you don't know what you need, then buy a kit that has a good assortment and then build on it as you find stuff you need.

[Hanr3]

yea, heres your list
Get training, Red Cross is a great place to start. The more training you have the better. But what happens if your the one injured, can your friends treat you? Might be a good idea to take them along with you.
Red Cross First Aid Training and Red Cross CPR Training are the two minimum classes to take.

You want supplies.
What kind of injuries are you anticipating?
Combat wounds need different first aid supplies then a backpacking trip, and backpacking trips need different supplies than 4wheelers.

Fuel for thought, never delay seeking the help of a professional. Placing your life in the hands of some expired miracle drugs and a couple of band aids so you can continue your adventure is never good practice. Realistically how much fun are you going to have while in angony? Your pretrip plan should include contingency plans in case of medical emergency. Failure to plan could have fatal results for the victum.

What supplies should be in YOUR first aid kit depends on when YOU decide to seek the help of a professional, and how much First Aid trianing you have.

Define decent first aid kit?
One to get you out, or one to treat you with the intent of never seeking the help of a professional, or somewhere in between?

Before you even begin to assemble a first aid kit you should know the answer to the following questions.

Do you know how to approach the scene of an accident?

Do you know the life saving steps?

Let's that said, lets talk wounds.
A- abrasions
C- cuts
L- Laserations
I- Incissions
P- Punctures

Do you know what to do in each case?
If so then you should know what supplies to carry.

Are you or anybody in your group alergic to bees?

Anybody in your group on prescription medications?

Anybody a diabetic?


The Fist thing to pack in your first aid kit is Knowledge.
You could carry a truck load of supplies and still not be able to treat the victim.

[jhama78]

Check the misc section here. Someone was selling kits for a darn good price. They have all sorts of stuff in them. My club bought a slew of them.
Be sure to take sting kill swabs. Those things are (literally) life savers.

I cant find the link to this guy anymore... me and a bud each got a kit from him back in june and now I cant find the link to the thread where he was selling them. THanks in advance...:D

[Patrol]

I always carry 2 different sized stif-necks in my truck. Especially in offroad situations you might encounter a roll over accident and things like that. I had to use them twice in the last couple of years and everytime the EMS guys exchanged my used ones for free and were happy that I had them with me and used them. I'm a trained rescue worker doing first responder for 10+ yrs until 3 yrs ago, though.
Most importent thing is TRAINING, at least once a year. The best stuff is worthless if you don't know what to do with it.

[kellymoe]

I have been a fireman /paramedic in Los Angeles for 20 years. I have seen lots of bad stuff. For vehicle travel the sky is the limit for kits and is only limited by your knowledge. My kit is pretty basic. On longer remote trips I will take a few liters of saline and IV set ups. I also take Epinephrine and inject-able Benadryl, these are very handy for allergic reactions that could turn fatal if untreated. That is the kind of kit I carry for my family.

When I backpack or climb I carry a small roll and of duct tape, Super Glue and thats it. I use clothing for a bandage. When I climb I like to go light.

[1949cj3a]

Kellymoe is right on. Your knowlege/training/resourcefullness is the only limit. my car kit consists of a bag of feminine sanitary knapkins and a roll of duct tape. everything else is in my backpack boo boo kit. Seek out training and read a few good books.

a note on HAM radio. i am a licensed radio operator and i can tell you that in a true emergency that anything goes. there are no restrictions on frequency/band or power output in a true emergency situation. a true emergency is where there is a likely threat to life or limb. please use your radios responsibly and get a license for those non emergency communications.

[camo]

I am looking for a new kit.

spent 5 years as a fire fighter EMT and always seem to be around death and destruction.

last weekend was 83 year old lady fishing at the river who tripped on a boulder and gashed her melon wide open. lots of blood and goo.

http://www.masune.com/Supply/Product.asp?Leaf_Id=53017M#

I will add sutures and a body bag

[WTweeder]

Just a note, I don't believe that using a Amateur Radio (HAM) in an emergency is illegal. Just state the nature of your emergency and as much info as you can provide. I never actually tested to get my license, but in my studies for the testing I seem to remember a lot of stuff on HAM use during emergencies. I don't think any of the good people who operate a HAM station or the FCC would care if someone without a license was using a radio to get help. I think they would do whatever they can to help out.

yep. FCC specifically authorizes unlicensed emissions ("illegal transmissions") in the event of emergency. any power level on any frequency is kosher.

[Vortec_Cruiser]

yep. FCC specifically authorizes unlicensed emissions ("illegal transmissions") in the event of emergency. any power level on any frequency is kosher.

It's about time that the government did something that made sense. :laughing:

[Mommabear]

I have to repeat what everyone else is saying, it is not enough to think your kit is good enough, you have to know. I'd been tossing the walmart $29 kit in the back of the Jeep for awhile now and was thinking I needed to update it. Before I got it together enough to do that, I managed to burn myself on a trip severely enough to spend a day in the burn unit. That is not the time you want to discover that your cold packs are useless and your pain meds are out of date. Not to mention that you don't have the proper bandages anymore.

Not long after that we were leaving for a cross country Jeep drive (Michigan to California) with some mild wheeling on the way (6k miles in two weeks) and I had to take a serious look at my kit. I have to give credit to my 13 year old for the water proof idea of using a 50mm ammo can as the actual kit that I stocked myself using a lot of what is listed here. (great idea on the super glue, have it in the Jeep but not "in" the kit.)

The ammo can fits perfectly behind the seat. I did this trip with an extended trunk, mountaineer rack and a safari top. Keeping it dry was top of the list and we drove through some really nasty storms on the way out. The two items guaranteed to stay dry was the ammo can and a snap lock rubbermaid container that was ratchet strapped to the mountaineer rack.

[WTweeder]

It's about time that the government did something that made sense. :laughing:

you know why that is, right? that rule is as old as FCC, itself......back wheb the goobermint still made sense every once in a while. damn surprise that ain't been repealed.

[TurboNerd]

In my years of experience, most first-aid kits are rubbish. Very few reasonably priced kits address larger trama needs (lots of gauze / bleeding stopers). The stuff I try to carry with me:
Medications for myself & party members (ASK: You'd be amaized at who forgets their inhailers, heart meds etc)
Multi-Tool with tweezers
Something to disenfect wounds (alc pads, iodine etc)
Variety of band-aids
Gauze & Tape
LARGE triangle bandages (plural)
Emergency blankets
Fire starters
Pain killers / Allergy meds
Water purification tablets, or small vial of bleach
Super glue (great for temp 'stitches')
Some kind of bleeding stoper (lots of sprey / gel stuff out there at drug stores)

[CDA 455]

I am looking for a new kit.

spent 5 years as a fire fighter EMT and always seem to be around death and destruction.

last weekend was 83 year old lady fishing at the river who tripped on a boulder and gashed her melon wide open. lots of blood and goo.

http://www.masune.com/Supply/Product.asp?Leaf_Id=53017M#

I will add sutures and a body bag



As an E.R. Tech/E.M.T. for the last 20 years, I've found that duct tape is the best suture apparatus.


Just keep in mind two things:


1) Infection is the numero uno concern with the injury.

2) Depending on the laceration, there a 6 hour window to actually suture the wound.

Most lacerations, after 6 hours, you don't suture because the wound has already started to close on it's own.