First Aid Kit

[Haloray]

If you have the room try to add a triangle bandage, it has a plethora of uses. you can substitute almost anything for a splint, heavy duty cardboard, a pair of rolled up newspapers, an offcut of timber, a long pair of cooking tongs and the list goes on, I prefer the heavy duty cardboard, just make a cylinder and place the limb inside it, take bandage and fix into position.

Problem with storing antibiotics is that if they get exposed to hi temps it can ruin them, you can however make your very own if the SHTF using a lemon and a bit of time.

Yes I worry about all my meds exposed to high temps or expiring

 

[Shenandoah]

As a healthcare provider, let me add a couple of items to your list:
-Alka Seltzer 2 tabs disolved in 6oz of water will provide you with a ton of necessary electrolytes. Just about as good as running a liter of LR (Lactated Ringers) via IV.
-Peroxide, one product with a multitude of uses....from wound care to curing an earache.
-Crazy Glue, nothing better to close a wound! Approximate (pull together) the edges of the wound and crazy glue it shut. We use it all the time in the OR to close wounds when you don't want suture or staple marks. Works fabulously!!

For my money, the best place to purchase supplies/equipment like: sutures, needles, staple gun, betadine, dressings, etc. is Jeffers Vet Supply. If you need it for a bug-out orbug-in first aid kit...this is where I buy it!

Blessings,
Shenandoah

 

[Shenandoah]

As a healthcare provider, let me add a couple of items to your list:
-Alka Seltzer 2 tabs disolved in 6oz of water will provide you with a ton of necessary electrolytes. Just about as good as running a liter of LR (Lactated Ringers) via IV.
-Peroxide, one product with a multitude of uses....from wound care to curing an earache.
-Crazy Glue, nothing better to close a wound! Approximate (pull together) the edges of the wound and crazy glue it shut. We use it all the time in the OR to close wounds when you don't want suture or staple marks. Works fabulously!!

For my money, the best place to purchase supplies/equipment like: sutures, needles, staple gun, betadine, dressings, etc. is Jeffers Vet Supply. If you need it for a bug-out orbug-in first aid kit...this is where I buy it!

Blessings,
Shenandoah

 

[bubbadreier]

Thanks for the tips Shenandoah!

 

[DannyboyDS]

For deeper cuts would you still need to hold the glued cut together with a bandage to stop it 'Popping' back open?

I use the super glue one on my hands for minor cuts because of where I work band aids always end up coming off and my cuts fill with nasty stuff, sometimes the cuts get infected anyway, i'm assuming this comes down to how clean the inside of the cut is when you glue it together, is this where the peroxide comes in?

 

[Shenandoah]

For deeper cuts would you still need to hold the glued cut together with a bandage to stop it 'Popping' back open?

I use the super glue one on my hands for minor cuts because of where I work band aids always end up coming off and my cuts fill with nasty stuff, sometimes the cuts get infected anyway, i'm assuming this comes down to how clean the inside of the cut is when you glue it together, is this where the peroxide comes in?

For deeper cuts, after cleaning with Betadine, I would either staple it closed or sew it. I have sewed up many a ugly laceration with dental floss (non waxed kind) on livestock and yes, even my husband! Unlike cat gut or the like, it does not disolve so you will have to remove the stitches after say 8-10 days, depending on location and depth of the wound.

Blessings,
Shenandoah

 

[Overlord]

I created my own first-aid pack and used a tupperware container (for waterproofing and sealing purposes) to store them. It contains:
- 10 tablets Paracetamol
- 10 tablets Loperamide
- 10 capsules Mefenamic Acid
- 10 tablets Anti-histamine
- Band-aids of various sizes
- Gauze Pad and small roll and Gauze Adhesive Tape (you can do butterfly cuts also with this)
- Betadine (Povidone Iodine)
- Cotton (medium pack)
- 20 cotton buds
- Topical Ointment for stings and bites
- Topical Antibiotic
- 1 butane lighter (for quick removal of leeches. areas I would be going through have these. Also as an emergency firestarter)
- Small razor blade (placed in a small ziplock bag with a dessicant to prevent corrosion)
- small bottle of alcohol
- small sharp scissors

This can fit in a tupperware 8" long x 3" high x 5" wide. My pack has a pouch that fits it perfectly.

I have to full medkits at by current location and my BOL.

Please comment

 

[Overlord]

Hydrogen Peroxide is not recommended anymore for open wounds as this kills the tissue. A diluted mixture of Distilled/Purified water and Betadine is advised.

Learned this firsthand during the onslaught of Typhoon Bopha when my right foot got speared by the diamond shaped spike of the gate as I was going down from the roof. Had to undergo three operations to repair the injury (good thing was that I was an IT consultant to a hospital and since they needed me there they offered free meds, surgery, etc. hehehe)

Am not sure if this is true but I read on the internet that superglue was first invented just for the purpose of closing open wounds/gashes during a war.

OT: Very effective also for loudmouthed people

 

[Trapper]

Overlord,
If you can find a CAT tourniquet and an Israeli Bandage you can do a lot with them. If you cant find the Israeli Bandage try to find some Vet wrap. It clings to itself. You can use it to cover a wound and it will keep pressure on it. They are cheap also. Not sure where in the Philippines you will find it. It is at most farm supply stores in the US. A roll is like $2-3 depending on the size. They also come in many different colors now, including camo. I get a couple of rolls in white and use it for winter camo on my rifle. It works great and does not leave a sticky residue.

 

[Bravery]

Hydrogen Peroxide is not recommended anymore for open wounds as this kills the tissue. A diluted mixture of Distilled/Purified water and Betadine is advised.

I used Hydrogen Peroxide on my son's knee when he cut it open about 5 years ago. We eventually took him to the ER, when I told them that I washed out the wound with hydrogen peroxide, they scolded me and they told me never to put anything into a wound that you wouldn't put in your eyes... I said "so... I take it I shouldn't have washed his eyes out with hydrogen peroxide too?"

Learned this firsthand during the onslaught of Typhoon Bopha when my right foot got speared by the diamond shaped spike of the gate as I was going down from the roof. Had to undergo three operations to repair the injury (good thing was that I was an IT consultant to a hospital and since they needed me there they offered free meds, surgery, etc. hehehe)

YECH... got any pictures? Seriously though, I hope you're alright!!!

OT: Very effective also for loudmouthed people

What is "OT"?

 

[Overlord]

Hi Trapper, Thanks for the heads up on that. I have been trying to find those things locally but it seems that it isn't being sold locally as of now. How I wish we had the same supply levels as you guys. If that was the case, I would have been done with my basics a spell ago. So currently, what I have in my pack is a bandanna and a sliding lock belt which can serve a similar purpose. (Wanna pop some my way? hehehe just kidding).

Will revise my kit to include a dedicated item like that.

Hi Bravery, OT means Off-Topic. Used for statements you would like to add in a post that is kind of away from the subject.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to take any pictures since we were totally wiped out. All my stuff got water damaged. How I wished I did for reference. I still have the L-shaped scar (kinda faded).

Well, the typhoon hit in September 26, 2009. I have fully recovered except for some problems with the joints of the right foot that were affected. But overall, am raring to go.

I used to "prep" by putting away money in containers (which I used in the aftermath of the typhoon to buy supplies but they were darn expensive). This served as a wake-up call for me to seriously start prepping.

 

[Dart]

I was a combat life saver while overseas so I still have my cls bag plus my ifak.

A couple of suggestions, for those of you who have tourniquets, what we did anytime we went on a mission was put one on each arm and leg just tigh enough that you have normal movement. This way, if you do have a bug out situation and somebody were to get hit they already have one on the appropriate limb and it saves room in your bag. Also I can't stress medical grade scissors as well, I'm not talking cheap Kmart scissors I mean honest to goodness medical scissors, I'd assume you could find them in stores, but those suckers can cut anything.

 

[Dart]

These are the type of scissors I am talking about, they're laying on my CLS bag which contains everything from band aids to IVs and Israeli bandages (the best bandage there is IMO)

 

[jimLE]

medicines
basic first aid book
bicabonate
butterfly sutures and/or leukostripes
epson salt
eyedropper
insect repellent
isopropyl alcohol
analgesic cream (camphophenique/paraderm pluse)
antibiotic (tetracycline for general infections)
anti-diarrheal (imodium/diasorb/lomotil)
anti-fungal (desenex/micatin/tinactin/lotrimin)
antihistamine (benadryl/claratyne)
antiseptic ointment (neosporin/dettol)
anti-toxin (DMSO)
burns (hydrocortisone/derm-aid)
cold/flu tablets (nyquil/repetabs)
constipation (ex-lax/dulcolax/durolax)
cough syrup (robitussen/dimetap)
decongestant (actifed/sudafed/repetabs)
eye drops (visine)
hemorrhoid relief (preparation H/anusol)
Ibuprofen (advil/nurofen/paracetamol)
itching/insect/rash (caladril/caladril/calamine)
itching dibucaine/paraderm/lanacane)
lip balm (chapstick/blistex)
lubricant / water soluble (k-y jelly)
nasal decongestant (sinex/ornex)
nausea/motion sickness kwells/dramamine/travacalm/meclizine)
non-asprin pain reliever (tylenol)
pain/fever reducer (panadeine/mbigesic)
pain reliver with codeine (panamax/tylenol 3)
asprin
prescription(s) (a suppy of any prescriptions you are takeing)
petroleum jelly (vaseline)
posion ivy/oak
poison absorber (activated charcoal)
radiation protection (potassium iodide-[ki] or potassium iodate-[ki03] either is fine)
sunburn relief (solarcaine/paxyl)
sunscreen (spf 15 at least)
vomit inducer (ipecac/activated charcoal)
yeast infection treatment (gyne-lotrimin)
sterile saline solution
electrolyte
hedrogen peroxide
all purpose salve
clothes
longjohns
rain gear
vest
warm clothes
accessories
bandana
blanket
boots
hat
sunglasses
socks
gloves/light whight rubber-for medical and hygiene purposes
towel
supplies
bandages (ace) elastic-4
bandages/gauze-2x2/3x3/4x4/18x36
bandages for burns (second skin) 3x3 1/2
gauze roll
gauze pad
triangular bandages
band-aids assorted sizes/flexible and moisture resistant are best
moistned toweletts
sterile wipes
cotton swabs
dental floss
first aid tape
applicators
Q-tips
cotton ball
razor blades
rope/string
safety pins/assorted sizes
sam splint
scalpel
splint
finger splint
eye cup
fanny pack
disposable gloves
sign making materials
snacks
soap/liquid/antibacterial
sterile-strips
surgical tape
irrigation syringe
instant glue
lighter
matches
markers
paper towels
labels notepad
pen
plastic wrap
non adhesive dressing
disposable cups

small equipment
stethoscope
suture kit
tarp
thermometers disposal
thermometer digital
tongue depressors
toothbrush
hot pack reusable
cold pack reusable
tweezers
scissors bandage
scissors foldable
scissors surgical
knife
water filter
shaving razor disposable
recording portable device
respiratory mask
snake bit kit
nail clipper
microscope 30x
swiss army knife
oils
castor oil
eucalyptus
camphor oil
lavender oil
clove oil
aloe vera
tiger balm
others
othersflashlight with batteries
charged cell phone
whistle
watch
alarm clock
stop watch
binoculars
compass
communication equipment (radio)
candle
toye/baubles for children

 

[Gazrok]

Some added things (in addition to standard first aid stuff) in mine: (BOB anyhow, so only 3 day bag)

ACE bandage (the kind that can stick to itself, these things are just too useful)
A scalpel (and replacement blades)
3 Potassium Iodide tablets (for radiation)
3 Hyrdrocodone (if needed for serious pain)
6 Ibuprofen (if milder pain)
6 Aspirin
3 Bentyl (awesome for any stomach ailment)
1 Vallium (on the chance there's a time when I really may need to just calm the hell down, and am in a safe enough place to do so)
Smelling Salts (ammonia inhalant)

EMT Shears (made to cut through heavy fabric, like denim or seat belts, etc.), same as below quote.

These are the type of scissors I am talking about

I found it online, and it wasn't that expensive, and seems solid enough, did some test cuts great.

The funny part is, I'm the kind of guy who doesn't even usually take an aspirin for a headache (hardly ever even drink), but because my wife has a history of medical issues, I've become pretty aware of different medicines and effects.
I'd rather have them with me, and never need them, than need them and not have them....
_______________________

At home, we have several large box first aid kits (which I've then supplemented with added items): one in each stable (2), one in each bathroom (4), and a kitchen cabinet devoted completely to medicines. I also have a pretty good surgical set, but you have to be dying for me to try that. It's really more for our EMT group member (and she'd bring her own stuff anyhow too).

For non-military types, an IFAK = Improved First Aid Kit, it's the kit issued to soldiers. CLS = Combat Life Saver

Israeli bandages (the best bandage there is IMO)

Those are cool, and you can usually find them online for about $6. I've never seen them in stores.

 

[coole3322]

heres a site i just found http://store.doomandbloom.net/categories

 

[Kenprep1979]

I decided I would make my own first aid kit for minor injuries and emergencies, and I wanted it to fit in the glove box of my car.

View attachment 315

Items:

1. Alcohol Cleansing Pads
2. Neosporin
3. Medical Tape
4. Imodium AD (Blue Pills)
5. Claratin (Allergy Pills)
6. Assorted Band Aids (36)
7. Package of Gauze
8. Motrin
9. Camera Case

you should add a roll of thread and a curved needle which you can get at the dollar store cheap for suturing wounds.

 

[Roninsensei]

Go to a vet supply store, they sell suture kits for like 7 bucks...