What do you have for a first aid/trauma kit?

[ArlyA]

So, I'm assuming personal and/or family use, or your specific crew if work...

I'll share what our first aid teacher (a paramedic and trained first aid teacher), at work said; "this is for yourself and immediate family, or as required by work; I would Not recommend stopping and offer aid outside of those situations, to the general public"

We would offer 1st aid.

 

[ACfixer]

Along with your basics, and by that I stripped down about half of the stupid lotions and Band-Aids that were in there to make room, I have a surgical skin patch, two dermabond pens, and a surgical stapler. And a tourniquet of course. To get real dermabond is kind of expensive, I happen to know somebody in the medical field most namely a doctor that got me a couple cases of the pens. I keep them in every vehicle and every pack. It's like flexible super glue and it's awesome for stopping bleeding. Get some if you can. This is not to be construed as medical advice, just my opinion.

 

[D&D]

I might see if I can find a place to take this course.

Try the county EMS and/or health dept. County volunteers get free training

 

[D&D]

We would offer 1st aid and do.

Great, most states have decent "good Samaritan " laws in place. Some states have laws that can be held against you if you don't offer help/aid.

 

[ArlyA]

Try the county EMS and/or health dept. County volunteers get free training

We found the basic 1st aid course to be 90% worthless and when you ask "there is no cell service where we do trail work" the educator would then get a confused look on there face. In contrast with the solo back country course we found 150% worth it.

 

[Mike0616]

That blood clotting gauze is fantastic stuff. I hadda use it for the first time when I sliced a 1/8 thick chunk off of my finger. There was no replacing the sliced of skin so the clinic put that clotting gauze on the prolifically wound and the bleeding stopped. I now have some at home. Blood Stop is the brand name but there are others.
Eric

Also available is the blood stop powder that you can use to stop bleeding of cuts. Haven't ever had to use mine but is really needed for anyone on blood thinners who gets more than just a scratch, IMO. (I am on blood thinners and a shaving cut requires a special styptic fluid to stop bleeding.).

 

[D&D]

We found the basic 1st aid course to be 90% worthless and when you ask "there is no cell service where we do trail work" the educator would then get a confused look on there face. In contrast with the solo back country course we found 150% worth it.

Ummm, that was in response to a Stop the Bleed course. Basic first aid usually doesn't cover trauma like tourniquets would require, nor does it touch on triage for mass casualty incidents. Different training for different levels, needs. Different geographic areas have different hazards too, ie; mountain trail riding on east coast vs. Grand Canyon south rim

 

[Fxfymn413]

As 32 year EMT I'd say the most important aid you can carry is your common sense to keep from getting hurt and a cell phone to call 911, providing you have cell service. Of equal importance is knowing where you are so the responders can find you.

We travel with an RV and I always post the address we are at in the trailer at each stop. Believe me, nothing sucks like trying to find a critical patient when the reporting party doesn't have a clue of where they are.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the most probable critical injury and the first aid for that doesn't require anything more than direct pressure on the wound and maybe a tourniquet in very rare cases.

Take a CPR course and keep certified as well.

 

[ismilelots]

I've always made it a point to be prepared. This also includes fire extinguishers and first aid/trauma kits. In my truck, I carry a self made first aid/trauma kit. Most first aid kits are loaded with bandaids, lotions and aspirin. I wanted a kit that was better suited for job site or outdoor injuries. Like injuries from livestock, chainsaws, job site tools, gunshot or knife injuries. So, I put together a hybrid kit that has bleeding care supplies (clotting gauze etc.), tourniquet, sucking chest wound, splint, eyewash as well as a reasonable set of band aids.

I need to go through it and see if anything is outdated and needs replaced. I also need to see what I might want to add, like a blood pressure cuff and maybe some light surgical stuff.

Years ago, when I used to dove hunt, one of the members was a DR and he even packed plasma for the group hunting weekend. Lots of folks joked about it, but being prepared really isn't a joke. That same hunter/Dr is on my deerlease and I had him put together a good trauma kit for the deer camp. I also made every member provide an emergency contact number.

What does everyone else do for first aid/trauma kits?

My dad always had a hammer, duct tape and vicegrips. Said you could fix anything with those. But I have found a working fire extinguisher is also VERY helpful.

 

[marinusdees]

I've always made it a point to be prepared. This also includes fire extinguishers and first aid/trauma kits. In my truck, I carry a self made first aid/trauma kit. Most first aid kits are loaded with bandaids, lotions and aspirin. I wanted a kit that was better suited for job site or outdoor injuries. Like injuries from livestock, chainsaws, job site tools, gunshot or knife injuries. So, I put together a hybrid kit that has bleeding care supplies (clotting gauze etc.), tourniquet, sucking chest wound, splint, eyewash as well as a reasonable set of band aids.

I need to go through it and see if anything is outdated and needs replaced. I also need to see what I might want to add, like a blood pressure cuff and maybe some light surgical stuff.

Years ago, when I used to dove hunt, one of the members was a DR and he even packed plasma for the group hunting weekend. Lots of folks joked about it, but being prepared really isn't a joke. That same hunter/Dr is on my deerlease and I had him put together a good trauma kit for the deer camp. I also made every member provide an emergency contact number.

What does everyone else do for first aid/trauma kits?

A breech loading syringe, some disposable needles, some carpules of a local anesthetic (think, xylocaine??).