Making a First-Aid Kit - What Else?

[MarcSpaz]

Hey folks,
I am making a fist-aid kit to keep in the truck. I want it to be light and small enough that I can carry it while on short hikes. However, we are involved in a dangerous sport and I would like to be sure if either myself or someone else gets hurt badly from a fall or a GSW, I want to give everyone a fighting chance to live.

This is a quick list of essentials that I can think of. What do you think I can add?

Pharmacy
1.) Aspercreme w/Lidocaine (4%) Pain Relieving Creme (for burns)
2.) Moleskin Padding (blisters)
3.) Assorted waterproof self-adhesive bandages
4.) Med tape
5.) 1 gallon plastic bags (to supplement Chest Seal)
6.) Ibuprofen (small bottle)
7.) Benadryl (small bottle)
8.) Aspirin (small bottle)
9.) Sling
10.) 3” Velcro or self-adhesive elastic bandage
11.) Antibiotic cream
12.) Super glue
13.) Lighter
14.) Round tip scissors
15.) Cleansing wipes (alcohol, peroxide, etc.)
16.) Latex gloves

Online
1.) QuickClot
2.) Vented Chest Seal, 2 Count (sucking chest wound)
3.) Venom extractor
4.) Tourniquet
5.) Israeli Bandage
6.) Small locking forceps
7.) Head lamp

Anywhere
1.) Gorilla Duct Tape

[jdonovan]

you are mixing boo-boo kit and poop has gone bad kit. Each has their place.

Tools are good, but do you have the knowledge and skill to use them? EMT-basic, wilderness first aid classes?

Ever tried a chest seal on a guy with a fur coat? Have a plan to deal with it?

advice:
Latex gloves - replace with non Latex
QuickClot - please not powdered.
missing:
acetaminophen
band-aid's
you said hike, so I'd add moleskin

[skeeterss00]

you mentioned GSW, perhaps a couple of tampons

[kelu]

Maybe this one, for cuts? https://www.amazon.com/Ever-Ready-First ... 00LJ6ZMCA/

[MarcSpaz]

you are mixing boo-boo kit and poop has gone bad kit. Each has their place.

Yep, kind of a little bit for everything. I have been injured 3 times, once significantly, due to ricochet. Sometimes, someone is just having an allergic reaction to something.

Tools are good, but do you have the knowledge and skill to use them? EMT-basic, wilderness first aid classes?

Yes. Its very important. Using tools and technique incorrectly can make things worse, to say the very least. I have taken both BLS and ALS classes, but its been about 6 years. I can use a refresh.

Ever tried a chest seal on a guy with a fur coat? Have a plan to deal with it?

Completely forgot about a razor! Good catch!

advice:
Latex gloves - replace with non Latex
QuickClot - please not powdered.
missing:
acetaminophen
band-aid's
you said hike, so I'd add moleskin

I am a fan of the QuickClot sponge pads. Not too keen on pouring powder into lacerations or puncture wounds.

you mentioned GSW, perhaps a couple of tampons

I put that into the "urban legend" category. That is actually a really bad idea.

Maybe this one, for cuts? https://www.amazon.com/Ever-Ready-First ... 00LJ6ZMCA/

That's actually a cool little tool. I don't know that I would add that to the kit though. I'll have to think about it.

Closing an untreated/uncleaned wound is typically not a good idea. Especially if there is internal bleeding that hasn't been stopped.

[AlanM]

Catch https://www.allegromedical.com/ when they have free shipping and pick up blue nitrile examination gloves. 100 for a little over $7.
https://www.allegromedical.com/personal ... 14274.html

They're thin enough to be able to pickup a dime with no problem.
Good grip and have a textured surface so they don't slip.

[MarcSpaz]

Awesome! Thanks for the link and info!

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[Swampman]

Lots of good suggestions here. As for myself, I would limit my kit to what I safely know how to use. No staplers for me, and as for dealing with a GSW, as long as it's minimal I'd probably be okay. A man's gotta know his limitations.

Maybe I should look up where to take first aid training.

[jdonovan]

consider who you might be working on... having done county fire/ems, I kinda wanted exam gloves made from cow hide, perhaps even suitable for welding. Its one thing when your are playing DR with your spouse's cut... its something else when its a random member of the public.

Also consider colors, you'll find a lot of LEOs will run black gloves for concealment, but old congealed blood is hard to find when you're doing sweeps in low light with black gloves. I mostly run purple gloves, when I'm given a color preference.

And don't forget to re-practice taking them off the right way.