First Aid kits suck

[dzzz]

A recent first aid discussion got me thinking about how much even large, expensive pre-made kits suck. I suppose it's a combination of needing to be very general, and keeping costs low.

Maybe first responder kits are better, but these are also different than what I need.
I'm thinking in particular about kits for larger vehicles on longer trips away from convenient support. The reality of 99% of bush first aid is comfort, preventing a small problem from becoming big, and handling problems without needing to travel for help.

What I find missing is:
-Lots of bandages and wraps - The whole bandaging and wrapping supplies are woefully deficient. There's a big difference in the comfort of a well wrapped wound and bandaging that is improvised and just enough.
-Narcotic painkiller and general purpose antibiotic. Obviously not part of a purchased kit, but I've always been able to carry both in prescription bottles. My dentist tells me that an antibiotic course will handle tooth pain from infection for about two weeks. Much better option than finding a dentist on a Sunday night in Nigeria.
- Wound cleaning supplies for running water. The kits don't assume running water, and have less effective waterless cleaning materials.
- Skin care, including bug and sunburn, can usually be improved substantially. Zinc Oxide is a really good protective substance that sometimes doesn't have a good substitute.
- A big bottles of pepto bismol. I assume most people know to start dosing this stuff for gastrointestinal distress while traveling. I don't want to count on enough being available in the general "medicine cabinet".
- Individually wrapped Q-tips
- a regular strength aspirin for that guy with chest pains
- good burn comfort supplies, including gel pads

The bad: 1)Triple antibiotic ointment instead of Bacitracin. 2)"Night Tme Cold Medicine". The former is an allergen to some people. The later causes psychological distress in some people.

This list is by no means comprehensive, but what I've found wrong with purchased kits

I'm not sure how most people do it, but I now keep a stocked Pelican first aid kit. I don't mix first aid supplies with what I think of as "medicine cabinet stuff" - Alleve, antacid pills, Sponge Bob bandages. I do better with keeping a true first aid kit stocked.

So that's my rant and my list.

[Firetacoma]

Chewable asprin is the best for chest pains when you suspect heart attack.

I carry an expired IV bag of saline for the cases when you need clean water.

[dzzz]

Chewable asprin is the best for chest pains when you suspect heart attack.


Is it more absorbable, or just better tasting? I know buffered is not good. The dose I was told was 325mg. I thought just a chewed 325 was the way to go.
If they complain about the taste maybe they're O.K. :)

Two easy things people miss when helping with a suspected heart attack is not chewing an asprin and calling the ambulance. Unless the victim is alone, the ambulance just delays treatment. But I suppose when traveling the location of the ER may be uncertain.

[Firetacoma]

Our protocol is 4 child's chewable asprin (324 mg total). Chewable is more readily absorbed by the body, making it more effective quickly.

If I'm having a heart attack and I'm any distance from an ER, I'm going to want a paramedic there who can give me drugs and monitor my heart until I can see a doc. I have never heard of a medical study suggesting that you have a higher chance of survival if you drive yourself.

[dzzz]

I didn't mean to say that a person should drive themselves. I was referring to helping someone with a possible heart attack.

The right approach for a heart attack would be a guesstimate of what is the fastest way to begin treatment. If one can get to, say a level II trama center quickly, the expected time to treatment would be faster driving the patient. That would be true in most metropolitan areas.

In my town the one firehouse with EMT is a block from the level II emergency room. When my daughter had a severe asthma attack calling 911 and waiting might have killed her. That's true even if I were sure the EMT crew was in the fire house. Of course I had no way of knowing where the ambulance was located at that moment.

[winkosmosis]

The local news had a segment where a guy at the Red Cross was talking about how their kits are better than the drugstore ones.
What do you think of these?

http://www.redcrossstore.org/shopper/ProdList.aspx?LocationId=2

[WoldD90]

My philosophy has always been to pick the best first aid kit for me and my family, then add the ancillaries specific to the trip, event or destination.

To try and plan for everything, you would need a fully loaded semi with you at all times.

[skysix]

Our protocol is 4 child's chewable asprin (324 mg total). Chewable is more readily absorbed by the body, making it more effective quickly.

In the UK you can get "Disprin" which is 300mg ASA in a dissolveable form. Drop into 50+ml water and easy to get down - very rapid absorption. Kind of an ODT preparation (like zofran)

[keezer37]

324 mg total
What happened to the 86 mg thing? Must I constantly pay attention?

[Token]

Found a link to this in my email today.. Better than not having anything..

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=678983&ecid=EX24A

[Firetacoma]

What happened to the 86 mg thing? Must I constantly pay attention?

What 86 thing? Children's aspirin is 81 mg each, x3 gets you 324 mg...

Are you talking the suggestion to take one a day to "prevent heart attacks"?

[kellymoe]

I struggle with exactly what a good FA kit should include. I have been a paramedic in Los Angeles for over 20 years and in all honesty when i am out in the back country I don't carry a FA kit unless I am with my kids and then it's only because of a few allergies my son has so it includes a few amps of epi.

In the back country I make sure I have a roll of medical cloth tape or duct tape and that is about it aside from my own prescribed meds. Tape is good for cuts both large and small, can be used with a improvised splint, cut into butterfly band aids... the list goes on. If I am on a long climbing trip and there is a incident with severe trauma then time is really the best tool in your kit, hence my use of a SPOT device and HAM or cell phone if they will work.

Traumatic full arrest is essentially a dead body unfortunetly and CPR is pretty much done in vain.

It's amazing just what can be done with a simple roll of duct tape or cloth medical tape.

[Hilldweller]

Buy a kit from Remote Medical (http://www.remotemedical.com/) and you'll have the most comprehensive kit you can get with the best support available.
They'll customize it for you too, offer real-world advice, and maybe go camping with you.
Nice guys; and Andrew is older than he looks....

Aspirin is yummy but I carry nitroglycerin in my pocket for possible MIs. :sombrero:

[keezer37]

What 86 thing? Children's aspirin is 81 mg each, x3 gets you 324 mg...

Are you talking the suggestion to take one a day to "prevent heart attacks"?

Yes. My error, I meant 81 mg. I never heard of taking 324 mg. and thought it was 81 mg for chest pain or as a preventive measure. Actually, I thought the whole preventive measure thing went away.

[UK4X4]

Like others say if you packed everything - the trunk would be full




Mines a self filled pelicase too,

that pretty soft bag ruins the contents after a year in my truck.

yep its big and bulky, but the supplies last

My added list

Bandages -Rolls of Tape
Eye wash
Anti biotics broad range and 1 for the dog
Anti alergy drugs and child friendly ones too
The usual Lomatil and indegestion tablets- pepto takes up too much room
Good long tweezers for decent splinters and spines
Good medical scissors
Triangular bandages
Survival bag 2 off
CPR pocket mask
Military trauma bandages 2 off
Burn wrap

600mg ibuprofen / tylanol and indolyn for my gout

Mine has a wrist and knee splint due to re-occurring injuries.

That stays in the truck trailer and my usual hiking bag has a small one with basicly just tape and bandages.

I don't think there's any one perfect kit

I'd say it's more important to have an up to date first aid course as well as a reasonable stocked kit.

Hopefully I never get to use mine- but its nice to know its there just in case !

[dzzz]

Yes. My error, I meant 81 mg. I never heard of taking 324 mg. and thought it was 81 mg for chest pain or as a preventive measure. Actually, I thought the whole preventive measure thing went away.


I think it was 81 for chest pain at one time. 324 is just the latest guess for chest pains. I noticed the red cross kit referenced above contains 2x 81mg. They probably consider that two doses and are till using the old guidelines.

[Flounder]

I use Adventure Medical Kits of various sizes. I'm also riding buds with a few of the guys at AMK and have picked their brains on what goes into the item selection of their kits. They say, most kits are designed to treat one particular emergency on the scene, but don't provide much in the way of supplies to keep that injury treated for long. So, even with a $100 kit, you can treat one nasty burn, one ugly cut, one gnarly wound....once.

I usually have to augment my kits with additional supplies. For example, the kit I keep in the car for mountain bike trips is full of supplies for gnarly cuts and broken bones, for one initial treatment. Far different from my backpacking kit which might have enough supplies to treat an injury for multiple days.

I have also noticed that most kits are full of items many people don't know how to use.

[brentbba]

What happened to the 86 mg thing? Must I constantly pay attention?

81mg is for a daily regimen.

As a heart attack survivor - I carry aspirin in all my vehicles!

Regarding purchased first aid kits. I started with one and just added to it with a lot of stuff that's been mentioned - more bandaids, wraps, iodine, etc. Fills a small box now. I even have a couple of small pieces of wood to use as splints if necessary and a snake bit kit - almost came in handy a few weeks ago out in the desert - said a quick hello and goodbye to a rattlesnake! All this stuff accumulated during my years in scouting.

[shogun]

The problem of course is what type injuries to plan for. Unfortunately, any kit that is vehicle-borne should be capable of responding to vehicular accidents also, which is anything up to severe trauma. Its not just the hiking at destination you are concerned with, but the to/from also.

Without getting into the whole scenario arguement, I'll throw out a few items to consider;

kerlix (large)
combine dressings
sponges
steri-strips
non-adhering dressing
"emergency bandage" trauma compression

iodine swabs
ammonia inhaler
hydrocortisone cream
AB ointment
norfloxacin
betadine
hemostatic agent (quick clot)
aspirin
ibuprophin

tweezers
hemostat
needle to treat pneumothorax
ascherman chest seal

The other big issue is expected time to treatment facility. Longer times require more involved supplies. You'll find most medical professionals incapable of dealing with scenarios much longer than a couple hours.

Then we get into regional rules such as prescription only access, which severely clouds clinical advice.

[1leglance]

Don't forget a empty syringe and plastic tip or blunt needle for high pressure wound cleaning.
Sure people say you can make a wound irrigation setup out of baggies, or water bottles or whatever, but we are talking a care kit, I would hope you can fit a 20ml syringe in there. Nothing beats it.

Rolls of Kerlex are way better than individually wrapped 4x4's, you cut off what you need or just use the entire roll as packing.

A couple of rolls of clothe medical tape, or duct tape.

Trauma shears are super handy.

Epi-pen if you are in a group as someone might learn of a NEW allergy and that just plain sucks.

Training, Training, Training.....never enough and playing "what if" when on the trail or at home is beyond valuable.

And please check your kit now and then! Nothing is worse than needing something only to find that heat/cold/kids have ruined your supplies.

[Flounder]

Epi-pen if you are in a group as someone might learn of a NEW allergy and that just plain sucks.

.
When I guiding mountain bike tours in the Alps one of my clients was eating lunch under a tree and said, "hey, I think a bee just stu......" Clunk. It was crazy how quickly he deteriorated. That was my first exposure to an Epi-pen. Worth its weight in gold.

[dzzz]

............ They say, most kits are designed to treat one particular emergency on the scene, but don't provide much in the way of supplies to keep that injury treated for long. ............

That was one of the main points I didn't make particularly clear. Perhaps not practical in smaller vehicles but bringing bulk quantities in things like bandages in doable in larger vehicles.

[GroupSe7en]

Commercial first aid kits are, for the most part, fairly useless if you are more than a few hours away from a hospital. More important by far than a med kit is med training.
Knowing how and having nothing is much better than knowing nothing and having everything.

[UK4X4]

when you guys mention epi pens - what chemical is it and what dose for
a severe alergic re-action ?

My indiginous latino wife has developed a selection of alergies here in the middle east.

Including alergic asthma.

We have had some worrying attack's that the inhalers have managed to control- and 1 hospital treatment for the worst one.

While we were in the US and latin america nothing touched her, even imune to mozy bites.

Her indiginous genes protected her.........here even the dust gives her rashes !

[Jnich77]

A recent first aid discussion got me thinking about how much even large, expensive pre-made kits suck. I suppose it's a combination of needing to be very general, and keeping costs low.

Maybe first responder kits are better, but these are also different than what I need.
I'm thinking in particular about kits for larger vehicles on longer trips away from convenient support. The reality of 99% of bush first aid is comfort, preventing a small problem from becoming big, and handling problems without needing to travel for help.

What I find missing is:
-Lots of bandages and wraps - The whole bandaging and wrapping supplies are woefully deficient. There's a big difference in the comfort of a well wrapped wound and bandaging that is improvised and just enough.
-Narcotic painkiller and general purpose antibiotic. Obviously not part of a purchased kit, but I've always been able to carry both in prescription bottles. My dentist tells me that an antibiotic course will handle tooth pain from infection for about two weeks. Much better option than finding a dentist on a Sunday night in Nigeria.
- Wound cleaning supplies for running water. The kits don't assume running water, and have less effective waterless cleaning materials.
- Skin care, including bug and sunburn, can usually be improved substantially. Zinc Oxide is a really good protective substance that sometimes doesn't have a good substitute.
- A big bottles of pepto bismol. I assume most people know to start dosing this stuff for gastrointestinal distress while traveling. I don't want to count on enough being available in the general "medicine cabinet".
- Individually wrapped Q-tips
- a regular strength aspirin for that guy with chest pains
- good burn comfort supplies, including gel pads

The bad: 1)Triple antibiotic ointment instead of Bacitracin. 2)"Night Tme Cold Medicine". The former is an allergen to some people. The later causes psychological distress in some people.

This list is by no means comprehensive, but what I've found wrong with purchased kits

I'm not sure how most people do it, but I now keep a stocked Pelican first aid kit. I don't mix first aid supplies with what I think of as "medicine cabinet stuff" - Alleve, antacid pills, Sponge Bob bandages. I do better with keeping a true first aid kit stocked.

So that's my rant and my list.



All ya need is 3" tape, an elastic bandage, and Kerlix.... that will fix all the bleeding you will veer encounter.

[Jnich77]

when you guys mention epi pens - what chemical is it and what dose for
a severe alergic re-action ?

My indiginous latino wife has developed a selection of alergies here in the middle east.

Including alergic asthma.

We have had some worrying attack's that the inhalers have managed to control- and 1 hospital treatment for the worst one.

While we were in the US and latin america nothing touched her, even imune to mozy bites.

Her indiginous genes protected her.........here even the dust gives her rashes !


epinephrine 0.3-0.5 Mg if I remember right.

[BIGdaddy]

I struggle with exactly what a good FA kit should include. I have been a paramedic in Los Angeles for over 20 years and in all honesty when i am out in the back country I don't carry a FA kit unless I am with my kids and then it's only because of a few allergies my son has so it includes a few amps of epi.

In the back country I make sure I have a roll of medical cloth tape or duct tape and that is about it aside from my own prescribed meds. Tape is good for cuts both large and small, can be used with a improvised splint, cut into butterfly band aids... the list goes on. If I am on a long climbing trip and there is a incident with severe trauma then time is really the best tool in your kit, hence my use of a SPOT device and HAM or cell phone if they will work.

Traumatic full arrest is essentially a dead body unfortunetly and CPR is pretty much done in vain.

It's amazing just what can be done with a simple roll of duct tape or cloth medical tape.

that's interesting. I was a firefighter and I honestly take the same approach.

-paper tape. -check
-duct tape. -check
-princess band-aids -check
-tweezers/scissors via swiss army knife -check
-bandages? shirt off someone's back -check
-(1-2) epi pens -check (my oldest)
-prescription meds
-multitool w/ pliers and knife - check

[Jnich77]

-princess band-aids -check



I go with the little mermaid, or star bright.

[shogun]

when you guys mention epi pens - what chemical is it and what dose for
a severe alergic re-action ?



Adult (over 66lb) 0.3mg
child 0.15mg

may need a second for severe

[dzzz]

I go with the little mermaid, or star bright.

It's risky to ignore the special healing powers of sponge bob band aides. But all of these types are good to make friends wear when they get an boo boo.

[dzzz]

[QUOTE=UK4X4;646870]when you guys mention epi pens - what chemical is it and what dose for
a severe alergic re-action ?

.......................
There was just a discussion somewhere here. $75 each in the U.S. and one year shelf life. Refrigerated is good. Available to the person who needs it even better.

[dzzz]

Another thought I just had is that it it possible to download complete free medical web sites onto a laptop or thumb drive. Any web browser (offline) can display the site.
A discussion about fish hook removal led me to google "fish hook removal".

[Jnich77]

It's risky to ignore the special healing powers of sponge bob band aides. But all of these types are good to make friends wear when they get an boo boo.

I also ignored the fact that a sponge bob bandage, by nature, will stick under water.

[the dude]

Be care full with the quick clot. I have seen one guy rip it open with his teeth, not pretty. Make sure you know what you are doing if you have the supplies, as QC should only be used as a last resort and not if you're a 20 min ride to the ER

I also carry a CAT tourniquet. It may be more useful then the QC

[Equipt]

We have been toying with an idea for some time now, and haven't moved on it yet. Thinking about it again. I agree that most of the kits out there are not focused to the niche we find ourselves in. They are either too big or too small for the purpose, and usually have a bunch of stuff that never gets used or needed. Consequently, you end up with multiple kits. I can think of 3 or 4 kits I have spread around in trucks/backpacks/daypacks etc.

Here's the idea.

Create a multi purpose first aid kit that is useful for both the larger vehicle needs, and the smaller dual sport / hiking needs without the redundancy. Create a small kit with the items useful on your bike or hike, the incorporate that kit into the larger kit for your expedition vehicle. If you head out in the truck, take the bigger pack. Going on a hike or a couple day dual sport ride? Remove the smaller kit from the bigger kit, and off you go.

I am interested to hear folks thoughts on the concept, to see if there is sufficient interest to pursue this. I doubt we could come to a consensus on contents here, but if we pick the brains of a few of the like minded fanatical doctors types on here, I bet we can come close.

What do you think?

[the dude]

I like the idea, expense might be an issue for some. Complete kits can get expensive fast. A good bag and good gear is a must. I am NO expert in the area but I try to get as much first aid training as a I can, especial on the wilderness and combat end of things.

I would look to the tactical side of medic care for some ideas as well, both in treatment and supplies. I am becoming a BIG fan of MOLLE pouches and accessories. Things like asherman chest seal, CAT tourniquets, Israeli Field Dressings, Hemclot, kerlix, BFG Trauma NOW pouch, Maxpedition Active Shooter Bag, ect

I would also distinguish between a boo boo kit and a trauma/IFAK kit. For us we have three distinct kits. Truck/Home kits that is very complete, large, and virtually identical. Three day kits that move around for the car, camping, boat ect. Basically a boo boo kit. And we also have a range/trauma kit that has easy access and moves around as well.

Our home and truck kits are hard cased where as our three day kits and trauma kits are in packs or cases.

[dzzz]

We have been toying with an idea for some time now, and haven't moved on it yet. .......................

One idea would be to create the storage and offer just the more unusual items separately. I could see these nest: The hike/bike kit fits in the 4x4 kit fits in the big truck/SUV kit.

[winkosmosis]

that's interesting. I was a firefighter and I honestly take the same approach.

-paper tape. -check
-duct tape. -check
-princess band-aids -check
-tweezers/scissors via swiss army knife -check
-bandages? shirt off someone's back -check
-(1-2) epi pens -check (my oldest)
-prescription meds
-multitool w/ pliers and knife - check

You mean you're not preparing for the zombie apocalypse?

[nwoods]

We have been toying with an idea for some time now, and haven't moved on it yet. Thinking about it again. I agree that most of the kits out there are not focused to the niche we find ourselves in. They are either too big or too small for the purpose, and usually have a bunch of stuff that never gets used or needed. Consequently, you end up with multiple kits. I can think of 3 or 4 kits I have spread around in trucks/backpacks/daypacks etc.

Here's the idea.

Create a multi purpose first aid kit that is useful for both the larger vehicle needs, and the smaller dual sport / hiking needs without the redundancy. Create a small kit with the items useful on your bike or hike, the incorporate that kit into the larger kit for your expedition vehicle. If you head out in the truck, take the bigger pack. Going on a hike or a couple day dual sport ride? Remove the smaller kit from the bigger kit, and off you go.

I am interested to hear folks thoughts on the concept, to see if there is sufficient interest to pursue this. I doubt we could come to a consensus on contents here, but if we pick the brains of a few of the like minded fanatical doctors types on here, I bet we can come close.

What do you think?

Paul, in addition to the modular idea, thinking modular would also solve my problem. I have dozen's of first aide kits, because I have end up replacing them every few years as the contents expire. The bandages become dessicated, the peroxide evaporates, the goop in a tube finds its way out, the gloves disintegrate, etc... What do I do with the old kit? It's cheaper to buy an all new kit than simply replace part and parcel.

Like everyone, particular those who've gone through Wilderness First Aid, my kits are customized for my needs and knowledge level, but the core kit is a disposable item every few years. I'd like to have a a nice kit, where I can replace, say, just the "bandages" module when the time comes, rather than the whole kit.

[Fish]

Adult (over 66lb) 0.3mg
child 0.15mg

may need a second for severe
If memory serves (my medic license is long since expired), that would be epi 1:1000, not epi 1:10000.

[kellymoe]

I dont know if anyone has mentioned it yet but in addition to the duct tape I also carry Crazy Glue. Great for closing up lacerations. Every so often I get the purple glue from the ER but in a pinch Crazy Glue works great.

[shogun]

If memory serves (my medic license is long since expired), that would be epi 1:1000, not epi 1:10000.

Just quoting the company info.

[shogun]

Here's the idea.

Create a multi purpose first aid kit that is useful for both the larger vehicle needs, and the smaller dual sport / hiking needs without the redundancy. Create a small kit with the items useful on your bike or hike, the incorporate that kit into the larger kit for your expedition vehicle. If you head out in the truck, take the bigger pack. Going on a hike or a couple day dual sport ride? Remove the smaller kit from the bigger kit, and off you go.

I am interested to hear folks thoughts on the concept, to see if there is sufficient interest to pursue this. I doubt we could come to a consensus on contents here, but if we pick the brains of a few of the like minded fanatical doctors types on here, I bet we can come close.

What do you think?

Just a couple general comments;

While the two-level idea is good, I dont know too many items that I would want in some travel situations but not in others. Yes some of the luxury items maybe, but you can get alot of stuff compacted into a small kit. I wouldnt want to forgo the kerlix on a bike trip (probably more likely to need anyway), but I might accept having one roll instead of two or three. So the multi-level kit changes from different items to different quantities. I'm just as likelt to get bug bites and snake bites on a bike trip as a vehicle trip, same with major hemmorage. I really think the difference should be quantity, not items, which makes the plan a little less easy.

The problem I have with commercial med kits is that they tend to be silly. Band aids, tape, ointment (maybe), a couple small alchohol wipes, etc. No serious medical items for major trauma. Then there are the silly legal issues that interfere with clinical treatments.

Them be my comments.

[Jnich77]

Be care full with the quick clot. I have seen one guy rip it open with his teeth, not pretty. Make sure you know what you are doing if you have the supplies, as QC should only be used as a last resort and not if you're a 20 min ride to the ER

I also carry a CAT tourniquet. It may be more useful then the QC

The Cat tourniquet and Quick Clot are designed to stop two different types of bleeding.

[the dude]

For sure they are. I wasn't implying that they are a replacement for each other, although it read that way.

[Jnich77]

For sure they are. I wasn't implying that they are a replacement for each other, although it read that way.

Yeah, that reply wasn't really meant for you..rather the guy reading it going through the American rescue catalog and maxing out his visa...lol.

Actually I prefer "combat gauze" to quick clot any day.

[dzzz]

This should almost be two discussions.
One part on breathing and severe bleeding, which if used will be accompanied by a maximum attempt to get help (spot or whatever).
The second part is everything else.

It seems to me that the life saving part of the kit, for most people, is just a CPR mask and a combat kit (hunter trauma kit). With more skills, or specific conditions of a group member, that list might be expanded (e.g. epi pen).

Or perhaps three parts

- life saving
- avoidance of seeking non-emergency care ( enough bandages, antibiotic, ant-diarrhea medicine, etc.)
- comfort (everything else)

Lack of clarity of purpose is part of the reason I feel the first aid kits suck. I looked at a $30 American Red Cross kit that had a CPR mask. So 1/3 to 1/2 of the cost of that kit goes towards rescue breathing for strangers. A nice idea, but not necessarily logical.

[jh504]

324mg ASA is a life saver with an MI. I always have ASA with me in my truck. The kit I carry is pretty much the same thing as a smaller version of a jump bag on the ambulance. The only thing I omit is the code drugs and laryngoscope. I carry a couple bags of NS and an IV kit in the case of severe dehydration or hemorrhage. Lots of bandaids of all sizes, because thats what people always want. Lots of bandages of different types including triangles for splinting and tourniquets. I also have some advanced airway supplies in case that allergic reaction goes wrong. ET tubes, scalpel, and BVM. Quicktrach is a good airway option too.

[ETAV8R]

Start the breathing
Stop the bleeding
Heal the wound
Treat for shock

[Fireman78]

I've got a sweet kit (Pelican 1550 case and hand picked supplies by me). It goes with me on all my vehicle based jobs and adventures. Hopefully I can meet some of you at Expo 2011 and we can share ideas in person.
Recently, I had a bug literally fly INTO my left ear. Myself and a paramedic partner of mine were waaay out on Onion creek road near Moab. It somehow crawled into my ear and was flapping and buzzing and I swear I was ready to jump off a clif to end the insanity, and painful pressure!. We took the bag of saline out, a 20 cc syringe, and my buddy irragated the crap out of it. He either flushed him out, or drowned it. Either way I was a happy camper again!

[Hltoppr]

Duct Tape
Ibuprophen

Really...what more does a good medic need? :ylsmoke:

-H-

[Antichrist]

Our protocol is 4 child's chewable asprin (324 mg total). Chewable is more readily absorbed by the body, making it more effective quickly.Just get non-coated aspirin. It will dissolve almost immediately once it's in your mouth. That's part of why they started coating them.

[wardrow]

Sam splint????

[Ruined Adventures]

Another thought I just had is that it it possible to download complete free medical web sites onto a laptop or thumb drive. Any web browser (offline) can display the site.
A discussion about fish hook removal led me to google "fish hook removal".

See "WHERE THERE IS NO DOCTOR" and "WHERE THERE IS NO DENTIST"...download them for free here:
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php
Keep in mind, these resources are for 3rd world countries, small villages where there is no healthcare available. Ideal for overlanding in remote areas of Africa, Asia, or Central/South America. They cover tons of info for emergencies that you would hopefully NEVER have to tackle yourself...but it'd be great to carry on a jump drive for a true life vs. death situation where there is no 911, hospitals, or medical evac within a reasonable distance. Some of the techniques it shows have a very resourceful approach. Keep in mind if you tried half the stuff in these books on somebody other than your family, especially in the US, you'd be open to an easy lawsuit.

I've always ignored SAM splints because there's so many different things you can improvise into a splint...but until I played with one the other day, I forgot how dang easy they make splinting. Totally worth the weight, but I suppose if space is an issue you have choices to make.

[Hltoppr]

Second both Where there Is....books. There is also a women's healthcare book that I haven't had the opportunity to get yet, but will add it to my library, too.

As for kits, I have been very pleased with the Adventure Medical Kits Comprehensive and Fundamentals kits. I added a few over the counter meds, and some other items I personally like, but they are both very well put together and under $200.

-H-

[davidv]

I'm looking at this one [URL="http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=159717F&WT.mc_id=gb1"] for my camper and then plan to add epi-pen saline and saringe and SAM splint.

My emergency plan assumes I can be to an ER in a half day and for true trauma I can use my SPOT and half an emergency response in 2-3 hours.

Thoughts?

[cruisertoy]

Recently, I had a bug literally fly INTO my left ear. Myself and a paramedic partner of mine were waaay out on Onion creek road near Moab. It somehow crawled into my ear and was flapping and buzzing and I swear I was ready to jump off a clif to end the insanity, and painful pressure!. We took the bag of saline out, a 20 cc syringe, and my buddy irragated the crap out of it. He either flushed him out, or drowned it. Either way I was a happy camper again!
A few years ago this happened to a guy in a Jeep up at one of the ski resorts. His was a moth. He drove himself down the canyon doing 90 and passing cars left and right in order to get to the hospital. He ran a red light and just about nailed me with my kids in the Cruiser. We found him at the next light. He had gone head to head with a 1 ton Dodge. Dodge won, but both vehicles were totaled. Everyone lived, but the guy with the moth was screaming bloody murder. Not because of his vehicle injuries but because of the moth. As soon as they removed it he was fine. Crazy stuff.

[bugnout]

I saw reference to packing an Epi-pen (which requires a perscription), but no mention of Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to treat allergic reactions. I add box of the chewable melts to all my first aid kits. Might just buy enough time to get them to the hospital.

[Fireman78]

A few years ago this happened to a guy in a Jeep up at one of the ski resorts. His was a moth. He drove himself down the canyon doing 90 and passing cars left and right in order to get to the hospital. He ran a red light and just about nailed me with my kids in the Cruiser. We found him at the next light. He had gone head to head with a 1 ton Dodge. Dodge won, but both vehicles were totaled. Everyone lived, but the guy with the moth was screaming bloody murder. Not because of his vehicle injuries but because of the moth. As soon as they removed it he was fine. Crazy stuff.

Awesome story! I swear it was one of the most excrucitaing things ever. Lucky , having a cool head, being fairly intoxicated, having a great first aid kit, and a paramedic partner helped my situation greatly. :coffeedrink:

[nwoods]

Sam splint????

A light weight aluminum and foam padded plate that is completly malleable to form what ever kind of support you might need:

http://www.sammedical.com/sam_splint.html

I used one here for example:

http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rover/Off-Roading/Bradshaw-Trail/BradshawTrail-20090207-07/470877884_sbwCq-Xl.jpg

http://nwoods.smugmug.com/Land-Rover/Off-Roading/Bradshaw-Trail/BradshawTrail-20090207-12/470878253_a4N8z-Xl.jpg

They are particularly good a splinting arms, wrists, etc...

[nwoods]

As for kits, I have been very pleased with the Adventure Medical Kits Comprehensive and Fundamentals kits. I added a few over the counter meds, and some other items I personally like, but they are both very well put together and under $200.

-H-

How well have those kits lasted? My problem with the Red Cross kits and cheaper REI kits is that the products dry out or whatever, and the bandages and ointments become useless in a year or two. I need to replace all of my kits soon (immediately, as soon as I can afford it), and don't want to experience the same limited lifespan.

[seanz0rz]

here is the kit i built for my truck:
http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=9259.0

i have since added a bunch of stuff to it that i over looked the first time. it's by no means a complete kit, but it's enough stuff to get by for the majority of my needs. i chose an ammo can because often times things get severely crushed in my truck.

[Ruined Adventures]

Second both Where there Is....books. There is also a women's healthcare book that I haven't had the opportunity to get yet, but will add it to my library, too.
-H-

if you clicked on the link, there's several women's healthcare books including Where Women Have No Doctor, also a free download on their site :sombrero:
http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php
It's great that you can find most texts in digital form these days. I love the fact that I can keep a whole library downloaded into PDF's on the laptop.