First aid kit

[Gilroye]

Hey...
Guys i just want to ask which things i should have to put in my first aid kit...???
share your opinion with me...

[grayensmith]

One of the best off the shelf first aid kits available today is a catastrophe kit. Most are built to maintain adults for a time period of days. Food & water is included with these kits, as well as solar blankets as well as a few basic tools. The contents of these kits are usually housed in a plastic bucket that can be turned in to a toilet if require be.

[Sergemaster]

Here's a few things I have in mine of top of what came with the kit:

1-krazy glue (this can do allot from gear repair to sealing the skin around a deep wound)
2-a small roll of duct tape (Gods 9th day creation)
3-anti diarrheal tablets (can suck royally if it hits you in the middle of nowhere)
4-qwick klot (carry 2, will stop most if not all bleeding the result of a deep cut that would normally require stitching)
5-ibuprofen pills
6-medical skin suture kit (don't plan on major surgery but nasty deep gashes and depending how far out you are and your timeframe)
7-emergency dental kit (again a long shot, but you never know)
8-latex gloves
9-space blanket (mult purpose from hypothermia, shock, to a quick emergency shelter)
10-emergency bivvy (these are about the size of a pack of cigarettes)
11-electrolyte tablets (during the hot months or when dehydration occurs)
12-anti bacterial ointment
13-pocket sized first aid manual
14-dental floss (again multi purpose)
15-anti bacterial wipes)

None of these items that I have described break the bank or take up any critical space in ones first aid kit or pack for those of you who are gram weenies and sweat every packable item, gram, and ounce.

Some may also think that this is overkill or not really necessary for someone who is just setting off for a few hours hike not far from ones home. But accidents can happen anywhere and at anytime especially when one is outdoors and away from access to any immediate help.

Remember, it is better to have something and not need it, than to need something and not have it.

Cheers,
Serge

[GDeadPhans]

I really need to get together a first aid kit. I have a few items but it really is not suffice, its pretty much a false sense of security, not to mention I never carry it lol. Sooo yeaaa. I definitely need to rethink my first aid situation.

[Rockytibby]

I also carry a wasp , bee sting and snake bite kit. It comes with a venom suction tool. I am very allergic to wasp stings.

[Gershon]

There are a lot of things in a normal pack that can be used in an emergency. It helps to have a pair of scissors to improvise.

Squares of an absorbant camp towel can be used to cover a wound. Duct tape can be used to stick them on. It would probably be good to boil the square first and then let it dry if time permits.

I avoid knife wounds by not carrying one.

A teaspoon of black ashes in a glass of water can help with the runs. White ash has the opposite effect. Personally, I find peanut butter works.

An ankle wrap can be made with a strip cut off a footprint. (Cotton would be better, but we don't carry that.)

A sling for an injured arm can be made with the corner of a footprint.

It's not first aid, but you can make an emergency pair of sunglasses with a strip of paper with a very small hole in it. (Useful or bright snow.)

For a broken finger, duct tape it to the adjacent finger.

If using liquid gas, it pays to keep a squirt bottle of water handy in case you get some in your eyes.

A few aspirin are good if someone starts to have symptoms of heart trouble or a stroke. Be sure to replace them before expiration.

I don't get blisters, so I don't carry anything for them.

My essential kit is real simple. Tweezers, nail clippers, scissors and duct tape. Physical practice before going out is essential. It takes a lot of stress out of a situation if a person already knows what to do.

[GDeadPhans]

A teaspoon of black ashes in a glass of water can help with the runs. White ash has the opposite effect. Personally, I find peanut butter works.

That is excellent. Thanks for sharing, never knew that.

[Sergemaster]

Gershon wrote:

I avoid knife wounds by not carrying one.

I wasn't suggesting that it was a users personal knife that would responsible for injuries resulting in the breaking of the skin or blood loss, since a gash or puncture resulting in bleeding can be caused by just about any scenario under the sun when in the field.

Also I think not carrying some sort of blade even a SAK on ones person when in the field can hamper ones chances of dealing with the unexpected to much chagrin. Better have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Cheers,
Serge

[Gershon]

Serge,

The last time I think I carried a knife camping was in survival school back in 72 for cutting up the parachute and the harness. I honestly can't think of a use for a knife that a small pair of scissors won't do a better job. It is useful for making shavings to start a fire, but I never have trouble starting one even in very wet conditions. Maybe I've just adjusted. Or maybe I'm ignorant. (This doesn't include a knife on car camping trips where I was cooking steaks or something.)

[BBmG]

Hah hah, oh man, I'd love to hear some feedback on my own kit. I'm an EMT so I can never be sure if I'm going overboard or not... In my defense, it all fits into a pack about two palms wide... With a tight fit.

1 EMT shears
1 Alcohol spray
1 roll of waterproof tape
1 mini ducttape roll
1 Benadryl gel for itching
5 rolls of bandage
20+ assorted bandaids
2 pair of gloves
Oxys(5), Antibiotic(10), Aspirin(10) and laxative(3)
1 Nail clipper (You try walking in boots when your nails are too long, OUCH!)
1 Lighter
4 Sting and bite relief
2 ammonia packets
Assorted sized razors
2 Moleskin sheets
5 3"x3" gauze pads
10 4"x4" gauze pads
3 Abdo pads
1 Emergency blanket
1 emergency straw-type water filter
3 Triangle bandages
1 Watergel burn dressing

Two things I've been meaning to add are quickclot (I'm kinda on the rocks with this stuff since it can cause more harm than good; last I checked the military pulled it from use on the men) and SAM splints. Those things are effing great.