Critique my first aid kits

[WideAngleWandering]

I'm about to set off on the next leg of my trip, driving solo from the states to South America and back. My medical training is limited to what I learned as a scout and a little bit of reading and practice since then. I don't have any specific medical conditions to account for - this is just general preparedness.

My gear is divided into 3 kits.

portable / hiking kit

• bandaids
• moleskin
• tape
• antihistamine
• ibuprofen
• triple-antibiotic
• alcohol wipes

common items kit for the vehicle

• Quick Clot packets
• disinfectant wipes
• various bandaids & moleskin
• tape
• ace bandage
• common OTC meds
• triple antibiotic
• antifungal ointment
• disposable gloves

the unexpected trauma kit that I hope I never have to open

• Alcohol, betadine, peroxide
• Toolkit with pliers, wire snips, fancy nail cutter, flashlight, shears
• laceration kit with a large quick clot sponge, bandaids, gauze, tape and adhesive bandages
• burn kit with newskin, burn cream, gauze
• splint kit with SAM splint, tape, triangle bandages, ace wrap
• suture kit with prep pads, gauze, sutures, steri strips, tape
• scalpal kit with hemostat, scalpal, tweezers
• CPR barrier & gloves
• mylar blanket
• poison ivy / skin ointment
• extra moleskin

This is drop-dead time for anything I want to order and keep in the kit. Any thoughts?

[UK4X4]

CPR mask wise get a proper pocket mask for CPR-for example Laerdal Pocket Mask
add Dust masks and protective glasses

Anti histamine for alergies you never knew you had !

Once apon a time in Venezuela I found out I'm alergic to Ocelots ! only for a friend with drugs I may have ended up with serious problems !

If your travelling alone in the truck a sign or sticker showing where your first aid kit is may help in the case of you being involved in an accident- its unlikely fellow locals have anything but a dirty t-shirt to help but many may have had basic training through work or hobies

[WideAngleWandering]

I have one of these on the way:
http://www.amazon.com/AMBU-POCKET-RE.../dp/B000FNSM3Y

[kneedragger]

looks pretty good, did you include benadryl and Amonium AD??

I also like lots of sterile gauze for packing wounds or pading. I also like the military israeli bandages and torniquets.

[John E]

I'm about to set off on the next leg of my trip, driving solo from the states to South America and back. My medical training is limited to what I learned as a scout and a little bit of reading and practice since then. I don't have any specific medical conditions to account for - this is just general preparedness.

My gear is divided into 3 kits.

portable / hiking kit

• bandaids
• moleskin
• tape
• antihistamine
• ibuprofen
• triple-antibiotic
• alcohol wipes

common items kit for the vehicle

• Quick Clot packets
• disinfectant wipes
• various bandaids & moleskin
• tape
• ace bandage
• common OTC meds
• triple antibiotic
• antifungal ointment
• disposable gloves

the unexpected trauma kit that I hope I never have to open

• Alcohol, betadine, peroxide
• Toolkit with pliers, wire snips, fancy nail cutter, flashlight, shears
• laceration kit with a large quick clot sponge, bandaids, gauze, tape and adhesive bandages
• burn kit with newskin, burn cream, gauze
• splint kit with SAM splint, tape, triangle bandages, ace wrap
• suture kit with prep pads, gauze, sutures, steri strips, tape
• scalpal kit with hemostat, scalpal, tweezers
• CPR barrier & gloves
• mylar blanket
• poison ivy / skin ointment
• extra moleskin

This is drop-dead time for anything I want to order and keep in the kit. Any thoughts?

Needs more moleskin...

But seriously, I'd drop the peroxide, it's just not that good at anything and it's cytotoxic, kills the good cells along with rrgerms.

I'd also add a combat type tourniquet and an Israeli bandage to your trauma kit.

Breaking your gear into separate kits is a good idea, keep the trauma stuff in the most accessible spot you can.

[Chris2000XJ]

I second the tourniquet and israeli bandage. At the very minimum a tourniquet is a necessity, and should be a requirement of any aidkit. SOFT-T or CAT.

You can solve most problems involving blood with 4x4's and an ace bandage, so the israeli bandage while not a necessity is a huge convenience.

[WideAngleWandering]

Thanks. I have an israeli bandage and dropped the peroxide. I never gave much thought to a tourniquet - I just figured I'd improvise with my belt if it came down to it but reading about the CAT tourniquet I can see the benefit.

I don't imagine I'll have much luck finding a good tourniquet in Mexico (I'm on the road now).

[Chris2000XJ]

The izzy can be used as an improvised tourniquet by using the plastic clip as a windlass.

[HenryJ]

Toss in a few Feminine hygiene maxi-pads. Those can also be used as trauma pads. Dual purpose.
Superglue. Lots of wounds are being closed this way today.
A blood pressure cuff and stethoscope can be a good tool for determining condition.

[John E]

Thanks. I have an israeli bandage and dropped the peroxide. I never gave much thought to a tourniquet - I just figured I'd improvise with my belt if it came down to it but reading about the CAT tourniquet I can see the benefit.

I don't imagine I'll have much luck finding a good tourniquet in Mexico (I'm on the road now).

Hope your trip is going well.

The problem with using a belt for a tourniquet is that they simply don't work well for that purpose. They're hard to self apply and of course, if you do use one your pants fall down.