Medical, first aid and boo-boo kits; what do you carry, what should we carry?

[BlueC]

I'm looking to start a convo on basic medical care and supplies, the kind we might need and should have on the trail, on the job or in day-to-day life in general.

Currently I keep a pretty basic pre packaged boo-boo kit, along with bug wipes and instant ice packs, in my vehicles. Lately I've been thinking I need to step that up a level of two since I'm alone 90% of my working day, and when I'm not working it's usually just me and my kids, sometimes a bit far away from other people. I'm not looking to do surgery in the field, but broken bones and significant lacerations are a realistic concern.

To start the conversation lets break it down into; 1 - training and useful medical information, 2 - necessary and useful supplies, 3 - other suggestions and resources.

 

[bbaldwin237]

I have a basic first aid kit in each of my vehicles that I've added some extra stuff to. In the Jeep I have a basic kit from Mojab which is nice because it has a large velcro panel that I stick on top of the driver's wheel well to the carpet. It comes with lots of basics that are great to have and easier to buy a cheap kit. With the top off it's very accessible and with the top on it's still easy to reach. I generally add things like extra gloves (never too many), better bandages, extra gauze, OTC pain and allergy meds, bee sting/big bite treatment, a quick splint, burn treatment, extra medical tape, seat belt cutter, glass breaker, and a tourniquet.

Of course the most important thing is to have training and now how to treat at least basic injuries that you may encounter. I've been either in the military or a first responder for the past 16 years so I'm comfortable treating up to a large fracture, puncture/gunshot, and more. I maybe carry a little extra because I would be comfortable using them. There are also many things that can be improvised if you know how so I don't always carry some things in some vehicles. For instance, splints can be fashioned from sticks, tools, and more if you get creative. The same goes for tourniquets or chest seals (not likely needed in an off-road scenario, but you never know). I would quickly and gladly cut a seatbelt out of a vehicle for a tourniquet if needed. I also generally wear a style for belt that could be used to create an improvised tourniquet.

Lastly, if someone isn't comfortable performing basic first-aid, please reach out to an appropriate organization (local fire department, boy scout troop, search and rescue organization, etc.) in your area to get at least some basic training/experience. If you can get wilderness or tactical first aid training, the material covered will be much more in depth. Go prepared to take care of and treat yourself and your party. Don't ever assume that someone else will be there to take care of you. Oh, and practice treating yourself with your non-dominant hand! Being able to stop bleeding is vital and time sensitive!

 

[Wildman]

Tool Roll has the medical roll that looks nice & could be added to I'd think...

https://officialtoolroll.com/produc...jL3sP_A3JrJpKthy8bkqJ_d_3QU1QwY41O0a5I.RV3nq4

 

[BlueC]

Oh, and practice treating yourself with your non-dominant hand!

You know, it's almost funny, but I've never thought of that. I intentionally train fighting and shooting southpaw, but doing the simple everyday kind of task had never crossed my mind.

a tourniquet

With no real training, a tourniquet and chest seal is something I've always considered above me, and somewhat of a tati-cool kind of thing, but I'm starting to think they might be a realistic tool to carry.

 

[Rubiconned]

I'm not looking to do surgery in the field

Why not? I keep an upholstery needle and dental floss in my wallet

 

[B1Toad]

I've been doing the same, in fact I just received 2 packs of Quick Clot gauze strips (3" x 2') yesterday to add to my kits. One problem we have in the hot desert sun is stuff in your kit dries out after a few years so you have to replace things every so often.

The most used thing in my kits over the years, by a huge margin, have been 1" Band Aids. I buy the 100 pack and divide them up into my kits/vehicles and toss the small ones. Most kits give you a bunch of practically useless tiny Band Aids and many don't provide anything for a major cut like blood clotting products. If anyone is on blood thinners you definitely should have some blood clotting products on hand.

In the Jeep I have one of these Adventure Medical first aid kits Velcroed to the roll bar, my local hiking and military surplus store carries them but I know they are made in China, even though the company is based in New Hampshire.

I'd be interested in hearing about other kits that might be better, or don't come fluffed up with a lot of useless stuff, or even a list of what to put together yourself.

 

[bbaldwin237]

You know, it's almost funny, but I've never thought of that. I intentionally train fighting and shooting southpaw, but doing the simple everyday kind of task had never crossed my mind.

With no real training, a tourniquet and chest seal is something I've always considered above me, and somewhat of a tati-cool kind of thing, but I'm starting to think they might be a realistic tool to carry.

Non-dominant training is no joke. When you are knocked around in training scenarios and then thrown to the ground and told that you've been shot in your dominant hand is wild. You're being sprayed with water, music blaring for stress, and being timed you realize how quickly it could go bad. Now of course, that's not the scenario you need in this case, but just an example of how important it is.

And know this, military and law enforcement often train tourniquet high on the limb, tight, and early. The days of a tourniquet meaning guaranteed amputation are behind us. Odds are, the person will be treated by higher level medical professionals fairly quick and it can be removed, or if not, they probably would've bled out and it's better to risk losing a limb than their life. I highly recommend getting some tourniquet training where you have to use it on live-bleed dummies and yourself until you stop the distal pulse. It hurts like a motherf**ker, but you'll realize what it really takes to stop bleeding. It's not impossible that someone could have a limb crushed in a rollover or something and need a tourniquet.

Chest seals are a little extra, but just know that if nothing else, hold your hand over it until someone can get there!

And make sure whatever first-aid training you take includes traditional CPR preferably in addition to compression only CPR. Traditional is still the best.

 

[B1Toad]

I threw a couple Nampons in too. Never tried them before. Might be handy for those with young kids around too.

 

[suicideking]

I worked as an EMT for a few years. The most common items for first aid:

4X4 bandages (4" X 4")
Bandaging tape
Hydrogen peroxide

Before bandaging, if you have an open wound, pour some hydrogen peroxide on it to sterilize it. This will burn like a MF for 10 - 30 seconds. That is ok. Better to have some brief burning/stinging than have them get an infection. Large bullet hole in the leg? Yes, pour it on! Warn them about the sting so they know it's coming.
If you need less than 4X4, use a 4X4 anyway and either fold it or cut it. Then use the tape to keep it in place.

Carboard - A flattened carboard box. Flatten it and slide it under all of your gear for when you need it. We always kept carboard splints in the ambulance you can cut it and fold it for whatever you need it. If someone breaks a leg or arm, you fold the cardboard around 3 sides of the wounded bone, then tape it to limit movement. Purpose is to get them to the hospital so it can be xray'd.

 

[KennethS]

Why not? I keep an upholstery needle and dental floss in my wallet

I asked a nurse about a "sew 'um up" kit once, and was told just get butterfly bandages as they're easier to use and work just as well.

In addition to the basic bandages and such already noted, I also have some blood-stop and a roll of duct tape. The duct tape is a lot wider and stickier than the cloth medical tape.

 

[lBasket]

I asked a nurse about a "sew 'um up" kit once, and was told just get butterfly bandages as they're easier to use and work just as well.

In addition to the basic bandages and such already noted, I also have some blood-stop and a roll of duct tape. The duct tape is a lot wider and stickier than the cloth medical tape.

And more fun to remove than medical tape!!!

 

[KennethS]

And more fun to remove than medical tape!!!

The blood helps loosen the tape adhesive.

 

[Rickyd]

I'm looking to start a convo on basic medical care and supplies, the kind we might need and should have on the trail, on the job or in day-to-day life in general.

Currently I keep a pretty basic pre packaged boo-boo kit, along with bug wipes and instant ice packs, in my vehicles. Lately I've been thinking I need to step that up a level of two since I'm alone 90% of my working day, and when I'm not working it's usually just me and my kids, sometimes a bit far away from other people. I'm not looking to do surgery in the field, but broken bones and significant lacerations are a realistic concern.

To start the conversation lets break it down into; 1 - training and useful medical information, 2 - necessary and useful supplies, 3 - other suggestions and resources.

What do you have for radios? Gmrs/ham and knowledge of repeaters in your area would be key to getting help in the boonies. A GPS so you can give exact coordinates can get a helicopter to you fast.

In my fire dept we need communications,and ways to keep blood and bones where they belong just long enough to load and go.

 

[BlueC]

What do you have for radios? Gmrs/ham and knowledge of repeaters in your area would be key to getting help in the boonies. A GPS so you can give exact coordinates can get a helicopter to you fast.

Outside of phones, I have no coms, but I guess that should be a consideration in the 'ol first aid tool kit.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

How do you all feel about carrying a suture kit, perhaps with something like lidocaine. Not a wheelin' trip, but rather a motorcycle trip, this is me getting stitched up by a South African Witch Doctor in a cheap hotel room in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The qualifications of my buddy doing the stitching were that his dad was a vet...

Saved me a trip to the hospital, anyway.

 

[Apparition]

How do you all feel about carrying a suture kit, perhaps with something like lidocaine. Not a wheelin' trip, but rather a motorcycle trip, this is me getting stitched up by a South African Witch Doctor in a cheap hotel room in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The qualifications of my buddy doing the sticking were that his dad was a vet...

View attachment 644208

Saved me a trip to the hospital, anyway.

What a doos

 

[MikekiM]

Two tubes of Cyanoacrylate glue. If it's good enough for the medics on the battle field it's good enough for me.

Only half kidding.. I do have a full first aid kit that came with one of my high end imports. I refresh the bandages every few years. There are two tubes of crazy glue in there thought. I've fixed tons of cuts with CA glue while backpacking.

 

[BlueC]

How do you all feel about carrying a suture kit

Might have felt like a hammer and a hornet on your head, but I'm sure it'd get the job done.

Actually, having one of these on a long or out there kind of trip might be good insurance.

 

[Rickyd]

Might have felt like a hammer and a hornet on your head, but I'm sure it'd get the job done.

View attachment 644275

Actually, having one of these on a long or out there kind of trip might be good insurance.

View attachment 644276

I knew a guy who got hammered and used a stapler on himself. Not sure what point he was trying to prove

 

[BlueC]

I knew a guy who got hammered and used a stapler on himself. Not sure what point he was trying to prove

Like on purpose, just being a dumbass? Or out of necessity?

Back in high school I remember two dumbasses messing around and one smashed the others thumb nail with a paper stapler. The staple went in, and blood came out. Those two weren't playing with a full deck. Actually, neither one made it through high school, so there's that.