Suggestion for BOB Medical Kit?

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FFairfax

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Feb 23, 2019
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Quick bit of background information, I've been working on building a BOB, since that seems like a solid place to start with my practical preps, and one of the things I am working on for the bag is an individual medkit. I've looked at a lot of pre-built med kits, and they seem to either have a fair amount of unnecessary items, or not enough of the ones I would find useful for the injuries I am likely to have to address. So I was thinking of building my own. A book I just got lays out a list of items they recommend for an individual med kit, and I just wanted to get a little feedback. Be warned, it's a fairly long list:

  • 1 Cold/Hot Pack (Re-usable if possible)
  • 1 4" ACE wrap
  • 1 6" Israeli Bandage (or similar)
  • 1 2g Celox (or other hemostatic agent)
  • 1 tourniquet
  • 2 eye pads
  • 1 pack Steri-strips
  • 1 nail scissors
  • 1 straight hemostat clamp 5"
  • 2-0 Nylon suture
  • super glue (or medical glue)
  • tweezers
  • LED penlight
  • stainless steel bandage scissors 7.25"
  • 20 1" x 3" bandaids
  • 10 2" x 3" bandaids
  • 2 Sterile ABD dressings 5" x 9"
  • 5 Pairs of nitrile gloves
  • 20 non-sterile 4" x 4" gauze pads
  • 10 sterile 4" x 4" gauze pads
  • 5 non-stick sterile dressing 3" x 4"
  • 1 roller gauze sterile dressing
  • 1 Mylar solar blanket
  • 1 cloth medical tape 1" x 10 yards
  • 1 roll 2" duct tape
  • 1 triangular bandage with safety pins
  • 1 tube of triple antibiotic ointment
  • 10 alcohol wipes
  • 10 betadine wipes
  • 6 BZK anti-microbial wipes
  • 2 packets burn gel
  • 6 sting relief towelettes
  • 1 hand sanitizer
My initial impression is that I am surprised they don't call for any aspirin, and I would definitely include that. Not sure all of these would be necessities, though they may be nice to have if there's room. Definitely condense some of the bandages and gauze pads to smaller numbers for just one person. Also not sure I'd carry 3 varieties of wipes (4 if you count the sting relief ones), and I would drop the pen light and scissors since I already have two flashlights and a multi-tool with scissors on it.

What are y'alls thoughts? Overkill for a BOB? Seems about right? Would you recommend something else entirely?

(Also, I can use most of these items to treat basic injuries already, but I am also planning on taking a more advanced first aid class at the local community college to get more proficient at it.)
 
Fair point. I really like the Israeli bandages, and might include a couple more of those, since I'm already comfortable with them. Since for now I'm just packing a med kit for just myself (and if I happen on anyone that needs help and I am able/willing to assist), I'll be modifying that list a bit for my personal kit. I was just curious if everyone else thought that list a bit much for a BOB style kit, or if it seemed in line with what most people plan for.
 
It's a fair size for Bob kit. I have not not itemized my mobile kit, but I see many similarities. A second Israeli and celox would be good.
I have a main med kit and med supply cabinet at our home. I have a surgical kit and a mobile med kit in each of our vehicles. 5 personal med kits.having redundancy is good.
 
I would add a small amount of powdered pool shock to create a strong bleach solution for a disinfectant (even if you don't use it on wounds, it's good for disinfecting instruments, clothing, surfaces, and hands), and consider adding doxycycline, Keflex, and possibly azithromiacin.

Brain candy drugs like Xanax, Ambien, Valium, and phenobarbital are readily available on the Internet.

I would also consider putting some reefer in there, too. Pot can be a valuable commodity for trading purposes, as well as being a medication for many different things.

And (added later) I would add lice shampoo and a lice comb.
 
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I would add a small amount of powdered pool shock to create a strong bleach solution for a disinfectant (even if you don't use it on wounds, it's good for disinfecting instruments, clothing, surfaces, and hands), and consider adding doxycycline, Keflex, and possibly azithromiacin.

Brain candy drugs like Xanax, Ambien, Valium, and phenobarbital are readily available on the Internet.

I would also consider putting some reefer in there, too. Pot can be a valuable commodity for trading purposes, as well as being a medication for many different things.

And (added later) I would add lice shampoo and a lice comb.
I didn't think of the lice stuff. It would be a good addition. I know where to get the antibiotics and antiseptic. But the controlled substances I am afraid to get because the all-knowing big brother has deemed them unnecessary for ordinary people to possess and they can pretty much know any purchases you make these days, then use any excuse they want to take you down for it.
 
So, a quick update on this:

I have been acquiring and teaching myself to use a lot of the items on this list.

The Israeli bandages are awesome, I highly recommend. You can order them off of Amazon right now, and they come with an expiration date of a little over 7 years from now, so they're high quality and long lasting.

2-0 Nylon suture is tough to come by without a medical license, apparently. So far no luck in getting any of this, so I've not been able to teach myself to suture wounds properly. Still working on finding a source.

I'm going to pass on the BZK antimicrobial wipes for now. Everything I've read says that their primary use is for prepping to insert a catheter, and I'm not planning on having a catheter in my BOB med kit at the moment, so they're the odd man out at the moment. Will re-evaluate later.

The reusable hot/cold gel pack...I'm having an issue with this item. The only ones I am aware of are the ones that you need to freeze/heat up in the microwave to get the cold/hot that you want. I don't really see the value in having that in a BOB med kit if you're not going to have access to a freezer or microwave during your bug-out. For a home medical kit, it has some value. I'm wondering if some icy-hot would be an acceptable alternative for a BOB kit though. It's not quite the same thing as a hot/cold compress, but it would give you the heating/cooling sensations. Thoughts?
 
So, a quick update on this:

I have been acquiring and teaching myself to use a lot of the items on this list.

The Israeli bandages are awesome, I highly recommend. You can order them off of Amazon right now, and they come with an expiration date of a little over 7 years from now, so they're high quality and long lasting.

2-0 Nylon suture is tough to come by without a medical license, apparently. So far no luck in getting any of this, so I've not been able to teach myself to suture wounds properly. Still working on finding a source.

I'm going to pass on the BZK antimicrobial wipes for now. Everything I've read says that their primary use is for prepping to insert a catheter, and I'm not planning on having a catheter in my BOB med kit at the moment, so they're the odd man out at the moment. Will re-evaluate later.

The reusable hot/cold gel pack...I'm having an issue with this item. The only ones I am aware of are the ones that you need to freeze/heat up in the microwave to get the cold/hot that you want. I don't really see the value in having that in a BOB med kit if you're not going to have access to a freezer or microwave during your bug-out. For a home medical kit, it has some value. I'm wondering if some icy-hot would be an acceptable alternative for a BOB kit though. It's not quite the same thing as a hot/cold compress, but it would give you the heating/cooling sensations. Thoughts?
As far as sutures go, vet supply places are good sources.

You can practice suturing on raw pig's feet. The skin and tissue layers approximate human skin.

If you want to suture, you should get 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, and learn about nerve blocks and how to use local anesthesia.
 
As far as sutures go, vet supply places are good sources.

You can practice suturing on raw pig's feet. The skin and tissue layers approximate human skin.

If you want to suture, you should get 2% Lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, and learn about nerve blocks and how to use local anesthesia.

It seems like it's a much more advanced skill than the rest of the basic first aid I've been learning, but I think it would be pretty valuable to know in an emergency. My biggest concern would be doing more damage by trying to do something I'm not qualified to do. I'm looking into local courses for learning this sort of stuff, hopefully I can find something. Thanks for the suggestion, I hadn't read anything about nerve blocks and using local anesthesia, so I'm putting it on my list of topics to research.
 
It seems like it's a much more advanced skill than the rest of the basic first aid I've been learning, but I think it would be pretty valuable to know in an emergency. My biggest concern would be doing more damage by trying to do something I'm not qualified to do. I'm looking into local courses for learning this sort of stuff, hopefully I can find something. Thanks for the suggestion, I hadn't read anything about nerve blocks and using local anesthesia, so I'm putting it on my list of topics to research.
If you serious about learning the basics, get the Special Forces Medical Handbook.

You'll find detailed instructions in there.

Remember....it is sometimes better to leave a wound open. Anaerobic bacteria can create an infection in a closed wound, and lead to sepsis, peritonitis, and gangrene....especially gas gangrene, which must be avoided at all costs.
 
Thanks for the pointers. I'm definitely going to check out that book. I tend to hike alone, and spend a lot of time on my own (the life of a single guy), so knowing basic first aid is honestly something I shouldn't have put off this long. Sure, some of this stuff isn't things you'd be able to do to yourself in an emergency, but it's all useful knowledge. I appreciate all the input!
 
Thanks for the pointers. I'm definitely going to check out that book. I tend to hike alone, and spend a lot of time on my own (the life of a single guy), so knowing basic first aid is honestly something I shouldn't have put off this long. Sure, some of this stuff isn't things you'd be able to do to yourself in an emergency, but it's all useful knowledge. I appreciate all the input!
I've worked in the medical field for 30 years already, and there are a lot of misconceptions. I cringe when I hear people bandy about haphazard info about antibiotics, or who want to avoid vaccines.

Many antibiotics are quite dangerous if misused, and tetracycline--for example--can cause total kidney failure if it goes bad from being stored improperly.

When people use perscription drugs without the training that goes along with them, I equate it with handling a gun without understanding the fundemental rules of gun safety.
 
I've worked in the medical field for 30 years already, and there are a lot of misconceptions. I cringe when I hear people bandy about haphazard info about antibiotics, or who want to avoid vaccines.

Many antibiotics are quite dangerous if misused, and tetracycline--for example--can cause total kidney failure if it goes bad from being stored improperly.

When people use perscription drugs without the training that goes along with them, I equate it with handling a gun without understanding the fundemental rules of gun safety.

Yeah, I've seen where you can get what is essentially human antibiotics through vet supply stores and such. My level of knowledge is in no way enough to cut it when it comes to medications like that though. So I won't be messing around the the prescription stuff until I learn a lot more than I know now. I'm just trying to make sure I have the basics covered at the moment, and then I'll expand from there.
 
So, a quick update on this:

I have been acquiring and teaching myself to use a lot of the items on this list.

The Israeli bandages are awesome, I highly recommend. You can order them off of Amazon right now, and they come with an expiration date of a little over 7 years from now, so they're high quality and long lasting.

2-0 Nylon suture is tough to come by without a medical license, apparently. So far no luck in getting any of this, so I've not been able to teach myself to suture wounds properly. Still working on finding a source.

I'm going to pass on the BZK antimicrobial wipes for now. Everything I've read says that their primary use is for prepping to insert a catheter, and I'm not planning on having a catheter in my BOB med kit at the moment, so they're the odd man out at the moment. Will re-evaluate later.

The reusable hot/cold gel pack...I'm having an issue with this item. The only ones I am aware of are the ones that you need to freeze/heat up in the microwave to get the cold/hot that you want. I don't really see the value in having that in a BOB med kit if you're not going to have access to a freezer or microwave during your bug-out. For a home medical kit, it has some value. I'm wondering if some icy-hot would be an acceptable alternative for a BOB kit though. It's not quite the same thing as a hot/cold compress, but it would give you the heating/cooling sensations. Thoughts?
Check this out to learn to suture https://www.theapprenticedoctor.com/suture-kit-and-professional-suturing-training/. this is what I use to get basic knowledge about some of those skills (I also used their phlebotomy kit for extra practice when I was getting certified). It's not a replacement for real training but it's better than nothing and a good place to start or get extra practice.
Getting proper suture material for use on an actual person is a bit more difficult, but I have seen some online suppliers that you might be able to get it from - check out veterinary suppliers. It's very important though, to know what you're doing when suturing a wound because closing a dirty wound is actually worse than leaving it open, as some people mentioned above.
 
lets face it if your bugging out on foot your going to be experiencing mostly cuts and sprains and the most important part of your anatomy will be your feet, blisters and the like, you have to look after your feet, wash them as often as you can and maybe use some sort of foot powder and change your socks daily, we were taught that in Baden Powell's Boy scouts.
 
lets face it if your bugging out on foot your going to be experiencing mostly cuts and sprains and the most important part of your anatomy will be your feet, blisters and the like, you have to look after your feet, wash them as often as you can and maybe use some sort of foot powder and change your socks daily, we were taught that in Baden Powell's Boy scouts.

That's pretty solid advice, but as someone that hikes quite a bit, I've got that pretty well covered at this point. A really good, well-broken-in pair of boots, good socks (a few pairs), and some basic supplies in my backpack cover what you bring up on most hikes. At this point, I'm looking to expand my knowledge and make myself more competent in first aid.
 
Mens-Corcoran-Combat-Military-Duty-Boots-975-L.jpg
When it comes to taking care of your feet, I have specific points that are relevant, and come from my paramedic experience.

I am very prejudiced in favor of Corcoran 975 boots. They need to be broken in patiently, over time.

The steel shank protects the paramedic's feet from dirty needles in a shooting gallery, for example.

Spit shine them with water, and kiwi shoe polish, then buff with panty hose. Substitue paracord for laces, and add odor eaters.

Thick boot socks--used by construction workers--are an excellent choice with these boots.

Breaking them in only entails wearing them....don't stand in water, don't put them in the freezer with bags of ice, or any other supposed short cuts.

They should last many years, and can be resoled.

Don't use any fancy silicone treatments unless you work in an extreme environment like a chemical plant, or around salt water.

If you use a boot knife with a clip, then regularly check the leather surfaces to make sure that the repetitive friction of walking isn't causing the metal clip to wear through the leather.
 
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