What’s in your First Aid Kit?

Just depends on your training and what you preparing for...I wouldn’t recommend anything to anyone without recommending getting formal training first, but if you know a guy who can show you how to use this: https://www.rescue-essentials.com/quikclot-combat-gauze-z-folded-military/
then I will say it works well for packing when trying to stop an arterial bleed but it’s not a substitute for a tourniquet or pressure bandage of whatever variant.

 

I think the most important aspect of wound packing is training. Dfanonymous could likely achieve much better results with plain roller gauze than someone with limited training is probably going to get with a hemostatic agent.

 

Not that I’m aware of but in my instances that is an overlooked item. and nothing sucks more than having nausea/vomiting or diarrhea while camping or on the trail.

 

These are both low volume high reward items to carry.

you sir are ready for combat fields.


I'm EMS, wilderness, FD, LEO, SAR trained...
I carry a pretty comprehensive first aid kit. Nothing all of you ah my said already. But it's when you aren't around your resources when your life saving instinct comes in handy.

It's amazing what a roll of duct tape and the clothes off your back can do in an emergency.

 

And the one thing I always think about adding but never do is some sort of dental repair or sealant.

 

Totally overlooked! I will be looking to add something along those lines to my kit.

 

Super glue

 

I think that depends on how far you are from help. None of us, save for dentists perhaps, train regularly for dental emergencies. I'm not sure what the utility would be in carrying such a niche piece of equipment unless you are truly days away from a road. That said, temporary filling material such as Cavit can be used in cases of specific dental pathologies.

 

Went on a ride-along with Sea FD last month, and they specifically warned about standing back for those two reasons, if Narcan was used. It was used, luckily no vomit or punches, but the immediacy in which it works was remarkable.

 

Probably the most taken for granted item is anteseptic like neosporin.

 

I carry this in my center console https://www.walmart.com/ip/Total-Resources-International-First-Aid-Kit-123-Pieces/20450231
.. and I have a small back of bandaids behind my rear drivers seat. (literally has only a dozen bandaids, and some alcohol prep pads in a plastic case

eventually when i go onlonger trips, and cross country ventures I plan to get a much more extensive kit.. like this...

$89 MFASCO First Aid Kit - Fully Stocked Portable Reflective Bag - First Responder Emergency Response Kit - for Natural Disaster Preparedness - Customizable Storage - Includes 415 Pcs First Aid Supplies

https://www.amazon.com/MFASCO-Compl...irst+aid+bag&qid=1567003788&s=gateway&sr=8-13

and yes I have had training on all of it.

 

Had a work accident yesterday and people were scrambling to provide aid to someone. Biggest thing I’ve noticed with premade kits is that the contents are usually cheap (even in expensive kits), they aren’t organized all that well or functionally, and you’re paying a ton for convenience. This leads to wasted time in the case of an actual emergency, and while this case wasn’t time sensitive, you may not have that luxury in the backcountry. That is why I’ll always advocate for building and organizing your own kit. You can build it to your specific needs, know exactly where everything is located, and save a ton of money in the process. It allows for familiarization and confidence in the field, which is where it matters.

 

while I am in agreement with most of this, there are good box kits out there. just have to plan and look at content lists, as some put in stuff you will never/hardly ever use.. others like bacitracin, or neosporin, or alcohol wipes you will use a lot of, not to mention items to clip nails (should you stub a toe, and need to cut a nail/nailbed out).. a splint is good to have, but you can make one from wood, and a piece of cloth.. cold compress, you should have ice, or cold water in your cooler, but an instant pack works in a pinch, steri strips, gauze, and wrappings, as well as some coban for pressure dressings, hypafix, and tegaderm are my favorites for medium sized wounds, while I've had great luck with the 3m NexCare Bandaids (pricey at $9-11/box).. I'm also not shy about taking a clean shop towel and wrapping my finger in electrical tape, or the large roll of gorilla tape i keep in the truck.. FYI electrical tape comes clean off the skin if you change the bandage as soon as you get the right stuff, or get home with proper supplies.

 

Agreed on all of this. Too many people included overlanders and outdoorsman buy a kit and don’t think twice about it until they need it and find out that they’re poorly equipped.
Your second half is very valid. Folks sometime just need to think outside the box and improvise with what’s available. That why I like the WFR training so much!

 

Knowing where your gear is during an emergency is a huge success. I’ve seen a few pre made kits that were setup easy. Packing your own kit is good, I need to open mine up once and while to remember where it all is.

 

$25 Swiss Safe 2-in-1 First Aid Kit (120 Piece) + Bonus 32-Piece Mini Kit: Compact, Lightweight for Emergencies at Home, Outdoors, Car, Camping, Workplace, Hiking & Survival

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G45DWOK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I bought this, seems to be pretty solid. Haven't used it yet. Added a tourniquet

 

It only works as good as your knowledge.
If you haven't opened the kit since purchase, it's going to slow you down. Regardless of pre-made or assembled personally, know how to use things and put them in an order that makes sense.

 

Definitely not my job.

 

Exactly. My kit is for people with me and legit injuries of people around me. Drug induced people can go help themselves. I'm an EMT too. Being type 1 diabetic I'm always wondering if I were to pass out if someone is going to administer narcan to me.