Critique my first aid kits

[AA1PR]

Needs more moleskin...

But seriously, I'd drop the peroxide, it's just not that good at anything .

I would put that in every kit, better to clean out a cut than to get an infection

nalgene makes small 1ounce bottle that work perfect for such ~ http://store.nalgene.com/product-p/9941-0001-12.htm

I also have/use a nalgene 1.5oz bottle with bleach I use for disinfecting water a few drops goes along ways

[John E]

worked I'd use it too but it isn't an effective disinfectant.

It also needs to kept in a light tight container or what little effectiveness it does have is even less.

To each their own.

[HorseshoeExpedition]

Anti-histamines for sure. A stethoscope and BP cuff might not be very useful to you if you're not carrying anything to combat low/high BP. Bring tylenol/advil as well.

[Derek G]

More gloves! First rule of first aid is BSI, body substance isolation. Get a box of nitrile gloves in case the person you are helping is allergic to latex. While it doesn't have to be in your kit, think of things on your rig that you could use for splinting (tent pole?) Also, learn how to take blood pressure and get a BP cuff and stethoscope. After a traumatic accident, a persons BP can be the first indication of whether or not they are going into shock. If you're in the back country and a person is going into traumatic shock, you can relay this info to first responders, at which point they may upgrade to sending a helo as opposed to a ground ambulance if the initial trauma doesn't seem that bad. BP is your first indicator of major internal injuries that you can not see.

[k9lestat]

right now im having to go a wound treatment doctor and have learned about silver packing strips. it not something i would keep in a kit that constantly be exposed to extreme heat. this material fights infection in wounds and needs to changed daily. it would serve you well with lacerations that cant be stitched or become and open wound during the healing process.

glove both latex and none latex,alcohol for sterilizing utensils and hand sanitizer

[Holger]

I wouldn't take a tourniquet.
I don't see a need.
With knowledge of the pressure points and a good pressure bandage I can stop pretty much every bleeding wound.

A Sam splint is very useful and lightweight.

More important take a good first aid manual and do a good first aid course.

For more in depth info you need to tell us where you going, how remote, size of the group and so on.
This link might be helpful:

http://http://www.applyfirstaidnorth...t-aid-kit.html

[DesertJK]

Toss the peroxide. The cell damage it can do is not worth it.
If you or anyone in your group is over 40 put some chew able aspirin in the kit and learn to recognize heart problems.
A blood pressure cuff and stethoscope can be a valuable tool in recognizing the signs of shock, heart attack, and other system malfunctions that often happen after trauma. You need to know how to use them though.
Quick clot isn't something you should go right to. I would only use it if there was no other choice but to keep moving because of a continued threat. There are a bunch of reason the EMT's don't carry it.
If you can get a prescription for it, and learn how to use it (and when not to) get an Epinephrine auto injector (epipen) Anafalaytic (I know I spelled that wrong) shock can kill you in minutes if all of a sudden you find out your allergic to something.

My kit has the basics, plus:

2 liter bottle of O2, NRM mask, nasal canulas, and several sizes of OPA's and NPA's as well as a bag mask device.
One flutter valve for sucking chest wounds
A couple of 1000 ML saline bags and associated IV tools
A couple vials of Epinephrine (epipens cost too much)
and an AED.

I took over 600 hours of training to be allowed to carry and use this stuff, and even with that, I can only keep someone alive for a little while if they are seriously sick or injured. BTW, got most of the stuff in my kit provided to me by the fire department I volunteer for. My Jeeping and off road motorcycle skills mean I will be first on the scene of remote calls. I will also be on duty as an EMT during our wildland fire season this year. This is new to me, before this winter I only knew how to fix airplane and motorcycles, now I can sort of fix people.

My point is, training. The more you have, the more tools you can use, as well as being able to do more with less. If you live anywhere rural, most volunteer fire departments will get you trained if you can make a commitment to them. It is worth it in many ways.

David

[Holger]

What I offer notice in these threads is that people go totally overboard with trauma gear, but forget the most basic/ important thing:
Airway management, e.g. Guedel Airways and a resucitation bag ( bag& mask).

[WideAngleWandering]

Anti-histamines for sure. A stethoscope and BP cuff might not be very useful to you if you're not carrying anything to combat low/high BP. Bring tylenol/advil as well.

Having read the Outward Bound guide, which highly emphasizes monitoring vital signs to guide evacuation decisions, I can see the value but for my purposes, I'd probably rely on my fingers. Perhaps if I had more training I'd be able to take advantage of those tools.

I ditched the peroxide and am relying on betadine, alcohol swabs and disinfectant wipes.

I have antihistamines, tylenol and ibuprofen.

I'd like to find and carry an epi-pen, less for myself (no known allergies) but more for other people. I'm amazed by how folks are generally unprepared to take care of themselves.

There are only three times I've used my kit on this trip.
1) to treat my own blisters (hah, I knew all that moleskin would come in handy)
2) to treat an indigenous kid with a burn. scalding water from a pot on the stove gave him three large burns on the thigh. the family wasn't doing anything to treat it, other than rest, as nobody goes to a doctor around here. the blisters were large (the size of a large bar of soap). we decided to lance them as the family wasn't sure they could keep them intact. I cleaned the area with betadine, lanced the blisters with a disposable scalpal, and removed as much of the clear fluid as I could with gentle pressure. I then covered the blisters with burn cream and a blue burn pad and lightly wrapped his thigh with vet wrap to hold the bandages in place. I'm told he recovered and is doing fine, so at least I didn't do any harm.
3) to treat a woman who went barefoot in a disco during a "foam party" and cut her feet up on the bits of broken beer bottles and other detritus. irrigated with water, removed bits with tweezers, cleaned with betadine and antiseptic wipes, covered open wounds with triple antibiotic. this along with daily hot salt water soaks seems to have done the trick.

Any opinions on my techniques? I haven't had any training at all since I was a scout, many years ago, plus the reading I do to stay somewhat current.

[WideAngleWandering]

I have a CPR mask but that's it. As far as airway management, I've always been taught (or at least all I remember is) to maintain spinal alignment and perhaps rotate the victim to their side to let gravity help.