Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I got the 'being prepared" bug about a week ago and that let to the "first aid" bug. From there I started looking into a "Blow Out Kit". For those who don't know a Blow Out Kit is a refers to a medical kit to treat life threatening wounds. I definitely like the concept but get would like to get basic training in the use of one. Does anyone know were I could find said training? Also how many of you guys have BOKs that you keep handy?

Never heard of it! But i was a basic trauma life support EMT and can honestly say an unskilled person can seriously exacerbate a situation by rendering improper aid.

I assume it would have things like suture kits, antibiotics, syringes, IV bags etc? Not all of these can be purchased legally...in theory one could try a vet that likes cash and hates asking questions for antibiotics and anesthetics. Same drugs usually but you're on your own for changing the dosages to human weights.

You can buy suture kits and scalpels online or from a surgical supply store maybe?

We practiced suturing on meat, flat steaks to simulate flat areas like the abdomen or back, pork tenderloins for curved areas like the forearm or fingers.

You can practice IV lines with a straw filled with grape juice and crimped on both ends I guess, we had a prosthetic arm to practice on before using each other as guinea pigs.

As for training...beats me. Becoming a volunteer EMT wouldn't help because they don't do IV lines or suture. Paramedics do...different class.

If you need to insert a PICC line to get sodium bicarb into your heart you're probably beyond self-aid anyway lol.

Just buy one.
http://www.itstactical.com/its-tactical-store/#top

I have one. It's called toilet paper. I keep it next to my throne in my office.

Kreutz wrote:Never heard of it! But i was a basic trauma life support EMT and can honestly say an unskilled person can seriously exacerbate a situation by rendering improper aid.

I assume it would have things like suture kits, antibiotics, syringes, IV bags etc? Not all of these can be purchased legally...in theory one could try a vet that likes cash and hates asking questions for antibiotics and anesthetics. Same drugs usually but you're on your own for changing the dosages to human weights.

You can buy suture kits and scalpels online or from a surgical supply store maybe?

We practiced suturing on meat, flat steaks to simulate flat areas like the abdomen or back, pork tenderloins for curved areas like the forearm or fingers.

You can practice IV lines with a straw filled with grape juice and crimped on both ends I guess, we had a prosthetic arm to practice on before using each other as guinea pigs.

As for training...beats me. Becoming a volunteer EMT wouldn't help because they don't do IV lines or suture. Paramedics do...different class.

If you need to insert a PICC line to get sodium bicarb into your heart you're probably beyond self-aid anyway lol.

Blow out kits are not that fancy and the skills required to use the parts of the kit are minimal. The whole purpose of a blowout kit is to prevent somebody's death and stabilize the victim. If you are looking for a good idea do a google search for IFAK and you will see a good idea of the contents. Almost all of the focus is on stopping bleeding and keeping the injured breathing. Surgical gloves,a field dressing, something to pack a wound with to help control bleeding, and a tourniquet. Maybe a chest seal in case a lung is punctured. That is about it. It is all about keeping a person alive until they can receive medical treatment.

Keep one hanging off the side of my range bag. In fact, everyone I shoot with on a regular basis does the same. Kit has basic first aid supplies, gauze pads, celox, israeli tourniquet. I figure the range is the most likely place I'll need it. I am going to put one together for the car in the neat future as well.

Join up as an assistant scoutmaster with an active troop, then get in on one of their wilderness first aid courses. You'll pick up insights on how to make do when there won't be help for hours or days.

Then go on trips - you'll never regret it.

(I'm sure there's other ways to find what your looking for, if that's not your cup o' tea.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilderness_first_aid

Palladin wrote:Join up as an assistant scoutmaster with an active troop, then get in on one of their wilderness first aid courses. You'll pick up insights on how to make do when there won't be help for hours or days.

+1

I'm not as active these days with Scouts, leaving that for the younger Dads, but Scout leader training and going in the camping excursions was a great learning experience. When working with the boys I always told them I expected them to learn their first aid well because I wanted to know I was in good hands if I was injured!

grumpyMSG wrote:Blow out kits are not that fancy and the skills required to use the parts of the kit are minimal. The whole purpose of a blowout kit is to prevent somebody's death and stabilize the victim. If you are looking for a good idea do a google search for IFAK and you will see a good idea of the contents. Almost all of the focus is on stopping bleeding and keeping the injured breathing. Surgical gloves,a field dressing, something to pack a wound with to help control bleeding, and a tourniquet. Maybe a chest seal in case a lung is punctured. That is about it. It is all about keeping a person alive until they can receive medical treatment.

Ooops, feel silly now; to me thats just a basic first aid kit lol.

Kreutz wrote:

grumpyMSG wrote:Blow out kits are not that fancy and the skills required to use the parts of the kit are minimal. The whole purpose of a blowout kit is to prevent somebody's death and stabilize the victim. If you are looking for a good idea do a google search for IFAK and you will see a good idea of the contents. Almost all of the focus is on stopping bleeding and keeping the injured breathing. Surgical gloves,a field dressing, something to pack a wound with to help control bleeding, and a tourniquet. Maybe a chest seal in case a lung is punctured. That is about it. It is all about keeping a person alive until they can receive medical treatment.

Ooops, feel silly now; to me thats just a basic first aid kit lol.

I actually keep a "blow out" type kit with the backpack I take to the range/ shooting/ hunting. I figure that is the most likely time I will need one. I wouldn't really call it a basic first aid kit (my opinion, or thoughts), to me that term is used for the supplies that you most likely will use and never seek further treatment, stuff like bandaids, bandages, antibiotic ointment, Tylenol, Aspirin, Aleve, rubbing alcohol, peroxide and other over the counter stuff. A company I have found that has a great selection of First Aid products and have all kinds of kits and individual products available is:http://www.chinookmed.com/

tursiops wrote:Just buy one.
http://www.itstactical.com/its-tactical-store/#top

I would but I prefer to build just because I gain a lot of insight into the use of stuff. Buying a kit leaves you stuck with someone else opinion of what they think is needed and what they believe has the highest quality vs bang for the buck.

I think I should take is EMS First Responder class. I emailed my local volunteer rescue squad about any up coming courses and their cost. They really should spend a little more time trying to promote these things. Maybe set some up as after school classes.

Ooops, feel silly now; to me thats just a basic first aid kit lol.

Haha, well the idea of a Blow Out Kit is to have it dedicated to one bag in a convenient place. If stuff goes down you grab it and go. It's solely set up for life threatening injuries no Advil and band aids. In addition to the items mentioned by other posters it may be good to add a headlamp, chemlights, sharp knife, medical shears. You want your kit to literally be capable under any condition, even in if your underwear, at night, under pouring rain.

EDIT: MSG beat me to it!

Jake, the First Responder class won't get you to where you want to be, but it is a necessary first step. I know, because I teach the class! The Wilderness First Aid is much better, and EMT-B is probably too much.

If you don't want to buy one of the pre-made kits, then at least look at what's in it and the reasoning for it. No reason to reinvent the wheel, or go down known blind alleys.

tursiops wrote:Jake, the First Responder class won't get you to where you want to be, but it is a necessary first step. I know, because I teach the class! The Wilderness First Aid is much better, and EMT-B is probably too much.

If you don't want to buy one of the pre-made kits, then at least look at what's in it and the reasoning for it. No reason to reinvent the wheel, or go down known blind alleys.

Haha alright, I always though a class about Wilderness first aid would be more along the lines of preventing infection and splinting a leg, ect. ITS Tactical is a great site I'm found a lot of other great ones also. There are also some great medical videos on Youtube as well. Quick question: In the event of sucking chest wound, would you go with a ventilated or non ventilated seal and why?

Jakeiscrazy wrote:

tursiops wrote:Jake, the First Responder class won't get you to where you want to be, but it is a necessary first step. I know, because I teach the class! The Wilderness First Aid is much better, and EMT-B is probably too much.

If you don't want to buy one of the pre-made kits, then at least look at what's in it and the reasoning for it. No reason to reinvent the wheel, or go down known blind alleys.

Haha alright, I always though a class about Wilderness first aid would be more along the lines of preventing infection and splinting a leg, ect. ITS Tactical is a great site I'm found a lot of other great ones also. There are also some great medical videos on Youtube as well. Quick question: In the event of sucking chest wound, would you go with a ventilated or non ventilated seal and why?

The correct answer to the trick question is both. If you have entry and exit wounds, one would be vented and one wouldn't be. if only an entry wound, a vented. If you want a good basic guide (I have no experience with the Wilderness First Aid course), you could probably do pretty good with a copy of FM 21-11 First Aid for Soldiers. It might be a little old, but it will work most of the time...

grumpyMSG wrote:

Jakeiscrazy wrote:

tursiops wrote:Jake, the First Responder class won't get you to where you want to be, but it is a necessary first step. I know, because I teach the class! The Wilderness First Aid is much better, and EMT-B is probably too much.

If you don't want to buy one of the pre-made kits, then at least look at what's in it and the reasoning for it. No reason to reinvent the wheel, or go down known blind alleys.

Haha alright, I always though a class about Wilderness first aid would be more along the lines of preventing infection and splinting a leg, ect. ITS Tactical is a great site I'm found a lot of other great ones also. There are also some great medical videos on Youtube as well. Quick question: In the event of sucking chest wound, would you go with a ventilated or non ventilated seal and why?

The correct answer to the trick question is both. If you have entry and exit wounds, one would be vented and one wouldn't be. if only an entry wound, a vented. If you want a good basic guide (I have no experience with the Wilderness First Aid course), you could probably do pretty good with a copy of FM 21-11 First Aid for Soldiers. It might be a little old, but it will work most of the time...

Hmm so it may be a good idea to carry 2 seals. I'll check out that book. One Youtube channel I find really useful is tacmed2003. They are very clear and simulate wounds with pig skin.

Some things can be had cheaply if you put in a little time and effort. Cravats can be made from old bedsheets and are good as slings, tourniquet, tie for splint, etc. Use a dowel rod for a Spanish windlass. Feminine pads are good as trauma dressings, Saran wrap is an occlusive dressing, etc.

Does a box of tampons count?

Diomed wrote:Does a box of tampons count?

Why, because you always have them handy in your purse?

Jakeiscrazy wrote:

Diomed wrote:Does a box of tampons count?

Why, because you always have them handy in your purse?

I was trying to think if the tube could be used for anything when I read this...sinuses don't like hot coffee.

grumpyMSG wrote:

Kreutz wrote:Never heard of it! But i was a basic trauma life support EMT and can honestly say an unskilled person can seriously exacerbate a situation by rendering improper aid.

I assume it would have things like suture kits, antibiotics, syringes, IV bags etc? Not all of these can be purchased legally...in theory one could try a vet that likes cash and hates asking questions for antibiotics and anesthetics. Same drugs usually but you're on your own for changing the dosages to human weights.

You can buy suture kits and scalpels online or from a surgical supply store maybe?

We practiced suturing on meat, flat steaks to simulate flat areas like the abdomen or back, pork tenderloins for curved areas like the forearm or fingers.

You can practice IV lines with a straw filled with grape juice and crimped on both ends I guess, we had a prosthetic arm to practice on before using each other as guinea pigs.

As for training...beats me. Becoming a volunteer EMT wouldn't help because they don't do IV lines or suture. Paramedics do...different class.

If you need to insert a PICC line to get sodium bicarb into your heart you're probably beyond self-aid anyway lol.

Blow out kits are not that fancy and the skills required to use the parts of the kit are minimal. The whole purpose of a blowout kit is to prevent somebody's death and stabilize the victim. If you are looking for a good idea do a google search for IFAK and you will see a good idea of the contents. Almost all of the focus is on stopping bleeding and keeping the injured breathing. Surgical gloves,a field dressing, something to pack a wound with to help control bleeding, and a tourniquet. Maybe a chest seal in case a lung is punctured. That is about it. It is all about keeping a person alive until they can receive medical treatment.

You must be careful with these! Do not use them unless you are sure you need them.

The quick clotting powders and bandages (which are just treated) will cause tissue loss. Most of them harden and must be surgically removed. I.e. you poor them on the wound and they are absorbed by the surrounding tissue, you loose the tissue! However, that is better than being dead. Also, most them are exothermic so it isn't a pleasant experience. They have contributed a great deal to soldiers surviving on the battle field, but they do complicate later medical treatment. Also, the clotting powders do go old so you must rotate them. Do some research as not all quick clot is created equal.

It isn't a bad idea to have one in your range bag (something I've been meaning to do), but only use them if you must. If you are not at risk of bleeding out, don't use them. These are suppose to be decent, but I haven't tied them yet.
http://www.cavalryarms.com/medical/medical.html