First Aid and Medical Supplies

**Arkansas_Ranger** · 05-13-2008, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Rick

A surgical kit isn't needed? You couldn't use a set of forceps for retrieving a tea bag from boiling water or a backup knife or any of the other things that are included? Don't view it just as a surgical kit. View as another set of tools. And who knows, you might be forced to use it as intended for picking debris out of a really bad cut or removing a fish hook from a finger etc, etc.

Oh, Rick, I was thinking of stuff like scalpels and all for the intended use - surgery. I agree, hemostats are handy little gadgets. EMS-grade trauma bags usually come with scissors and hemostats. The thought of most people trying to perform surgery on themselves without knowing how to irks me, but afterall it is their body so why should I care.

**Rick** · 05-13-2008, 11:56 AM

I have one with the scalpels and all. I have no intention of taking out my own appendix but you just never know what you're going to run into. And I've used some of the stuff for multi-use as well.

**wildWoman** · 05-13-2008, 12:01 PM

About the only medications we have is antibiotics. What I would really like to get is something I can sedate or put down a dog with. My oldest dog is 15, and with living out in the bush, getting him to a vet in an emergency may not be practical or humane for the dog (skidoo, whitewater, or helicopter transport, followed by a 2hour car ride). I haven't been able to get any medication like that from the vet, so I'll try my doctor next. We're not blessed with particularly understanding docs here.

**commoguy** · 05-19-2008, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by remy

Quick-clot or Celox are good additions.

be very careful with quik clot the military has stopped using it b/c the dust can get in eyes and the reaction with wet things causes it to get extremely hot. they are using hem-con now i believe.

**Rick** · 05-20-2008, 12:36 PM

Since folks are posting an inventory of their first aid kits I decided to inventory mine. Here they are:

The first one is my carry pack for the woods. The last one is in my Bug Out Bag.

Pack First Aid Kit

5 adhesive bandages ¾ x 5 inches
1 non-adherent pad 2 x 3 inches
1 gauze pad 2 x 2 inches 4 ply
1 knuckle adhesive bandage
5 adhesive strips 1 1/5 x 5/8 inches
2 butterfly closures 3/8 x 1 5/8 inches
1 NextTemp strip
1 tweezer
2 packets Neosporin
1 syringe w/o needle
2 alcohol prep pads
1 packet insect protection cream (non-deet)
1 insect sting relief towlette
3 2 packs of acetaminophen
1 2 pack of antacid tablets
10 Q tips
2 quick clean antiseptic wipes
6 Loperamide Hydrochloride tablets (anti-diarhea)
12 antihistamine allergy tablets
2 packs moleskin plus
2 pairs latex gloves
1 box of cough drops
1 bottle Refresh Tears
1 bottle 2% tincure of iodine (water treatment also)
1 35 mm vasoline soaked cotton balls (fire starter and great for chapped lips)

M3 Medical (Tri-fold) Bag

2 Intersorb dry gauze bandages 3 x 8
2 ABD extra absorbent pads 5 x 9
4 Nexcare dry gauze bandages 4 x 4
1 triangular bandage 40 x 40 x 56 inches
16 fl. ounces buffered eye wash
1 elastic cotton bandage
1 minor surgery kit*
........*2 straight hemostats
........*1 curved hemostat
........*1 scissors
........*1 pick
........*1 probe
........*1 scalpel handle
........*2 no. 11 scalpel blades
1 forceps
1 penlight flashlight
4 6-0 polyester fiber sutures w/needle
1 pair safety scissors
1 first aid booklet
3 butterfly closures 3/8 x 1 5/8
2 butterfly closures ¼ x 1 ½
18 povidine-iodine prep pads
18 alcohol prep pads
6 assorted safety pins
1 small container dental floss
1 small empty medicine bottle (non-childproof cap)
3 gauze bandages 2 inches by 6 yards
2 small role plastic pore tape
1 travel size soap
1 tube chapstick
16 adhesive bandages 1 x 3 inch
10 Q tips
15 Benzlkonium Cholride Antiseptic Towelette
16 pre-moistened toweletts
1 burn gel tube – Melaleuca Oil
2 burn gel tubes - Benzalkonium
1 eye pad
2 tube triple antibiotic – Bacitracin-Neomycin-Polymyxin B
1 NexTemp strip
1 tooth brush
2 forceps
1 bent hemostat
1 dental mirror
1 empty syringe w/o needle
1 airway device
5 2-packs of acetaminophen
1 rapid cold pack
5 pairs latex gloves
2 wooden finger splints ¾ x 6 inches
1 field dressing 11 ¾ inches square
1 stethoscope
1 blood pressure cuff

**Arkansas_Ranger** · 05-22-2008, 04:15 PM

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=TK024

That's the "one size smaller" bag that I once had. I gave it away. Stupid me! Oh, well, I need/want another one. I took out all of the extras I had put in it. It included all of that, a second or third of a few of the items, an OB kit, Sam splint, BVM, etc. Then I had some IV start up equipment, bags of saline, and some other niceties.

**bulrush** · 05-23-2008, 10:44 AM

I have used clear nail polish to cover paper cuts for many years. It works great. Stings like a son of a b----, but it lasts for 5 days with constant washing, and by that time, the wound has closed by itself.

**Tony uk** · 05-23-2008, 04:07 PM

I dont have one set first aid kit, I change what i take depending on where, when, why, for how long im going, It also depends on what equipment i take. A list of what i would take for a 4 day trip, in the summer with light gear would be :-

Gauze bandage
Crep Bandage
Assoted size bandaids
tweezers
scissors
plaster strips
zinc oxide tape
tube of superglue
micropore tape
antiseptic cream
tub of vasiline
haemorrhoid cream
ibuprofen, asprin
antihistimine tablets
suture strips
saftey pins
scalpel blade
bandageing cloth
alcohol pads
iodine wash
quickclot
2 epi-pens

Most of this stuff i have never needed to use, But i keep it close to hand just in case, Most of the stuff i use ive put in as i found a need for it, I dont normaly take a large first aid kit, However in different situations one might be needed, What i pack has always been fine for me but a first aid kit is a personal thing, Shop bought ones ive found not to be up to the task, There are exeptions, But for price and usefullness i think your better off putting one together yourself

**Rick** · 06-05-2008, 07:15 AM

Tony - Just an update on Quickclot. I was just on Z-Medica's web site and it looks like they've redesigned the product. It's called Quickclot ACS. They've reduced the exothermic reaction so it doesn't burn the skin and impregnated the material into a sponge.

**Arkansas_Ranger** · 06-05-2008, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Tony - Just an update on Quickclot. I was just on Z-Medica's web site and it looks like they've redesigned the product. It's called Quickclot ACS. They've reduced the exothermic reaction so it doesn't burn the skin and impregnated the material into a sponge.

Ahhhhh. I was wondering what the difference was. Thanks for the update, Rick!!!

**Rick** · 06-06-2008, 07:53 AM

As I understand it, the Quickclot product would react with water (sweat) and could create a burn. Obviously, a burn is better than bleeding out but it still added another complication to the injury. The powder could also be blown around from chopper wash or if exposed to high winds (on a ridge line for example). The ACS formula reduces the likelihood of a burn and incorporates it into a sponge to secure the chemical into the wound. That's my .02 cents on it.