For a proper survival kit, what about First Aid?

August 13, 2009 | self

[Bean Counter]

I have participated in some limited discussions here at FR about preparedness issues and I have always found the responses to be extremely helpful, so I thought a focused discussion issue would be appropriate.

What is an adequate level of preparedness when it comes to First Aid?? Where do you strike an acceptable balance that is right for your situation, fits your budget and fits your personal skills and comfort level?

When it comes to preparedness issues, the first thing any expert tells you is to make a plan that fits your needs and personal situation. A retired couple has different needs than a couple in their late 20's with 2 kids and a third on the way.

My personal focus has been on acquiring and stocking our pantry, addressing home safety and arms issues. Our plan is based on survive in place for one year.

How much First Aid should I plan for? We have a decent first aid kit in the house with different bandaids in it, and both of our cars have a good First Aid/Survival kit in them. For the 1 year emergency kit I am considering something like the following:



Without divulging any websites or brand names, that is what is generically referred to as a "First Responder Kit". It contains:

Contents Include:

* (3) 1"x3" Fabric bandages, 16/bx
* (6) 3"x3" Gauze dressing pads, (3) 2-pks
* (20) 4"x4" Gauze dressing pads, (10) 2-pks
* (3) 5"x9" Trauma pads
* (2) 8"x10" Trauma pads
* (1) 12"x30" Multi-trauma dressing
* (2) Super Stop� bandages
* (2) 4" Conforming gauze roll bandages
* (1) 6" Conforming gauze roll bandage
* (4) 36" Triangular sling/bandage, w/2 safety pins
* (24) Alcohol cleansing pads
* (12) Povidone-iodine infection control wipes
* (2) 3"x5 yd. Latex free elastic bandages
* (1) 1"x10 yd. Waterproof tape, plastic spool
* (1) 3"x10 yd. Porous cloth athletic tape roll
* (1) 4"x5" Instant cold compress
* (2) 6"x9" Instant cold compresses
* (1) Water-Jel® Burn Jel� burn relief, 4 oz. plastic squeeze bottle
* (4) Sterile eye pads
* (1) Eye wash, 4 oz.
* (1) Eye wash, 8 oz.
* (1) 24"x24" Biohazard bag, 10 gallon capacity
* (4) 10"x12" Ziplock bags
* (2) CPR one-way valve faceshields, latex free
* (1) 52"x84" Emergency blanket
* (8) Exam quality vinyl gloves, 4 pairs
* (1) 7-1/4" Utility shears
* (1) 3-1/2" Deluxe tweezers, stainless steel
* (1) First aid guide


This particular kit retails for about $180

It appears to me to be a good start for the basis of a decent emergency response kit, and we are talking about use in an extreme emergency. The fact it is in a flexible bag means it will likely hold at least twice as many supplies that come in it. We have several good medical supply outlets here, so additions are available.

What to add??

I would consider this kit (or one like it) a good place to start or a plan to deviate from. For example, I would augment it with any number of additional supplies like suture kits, and as many surplus stainless steel instruments (forceps, tweezers, etc...) as I could find at the local County Fair or Flea Market.

Is there a better way to go?

For example, you can buy an empty bag and put your own custom kit together if you like.

Is it easier to start with the basics like this, or would you be paying too much money ($180 US) for things you may never use?

Would you be better off putting a kit together yourself, or is it wise to rely on someone else's expertise in order to get started?

[Bean Counter]

What I am looking for are suggestions on what constitutes a proper First Aid preparedness kit if one were preparing to go it alone for a year in a real emergency, and where the best place is to get one.

Something between the First Aid kit in the pantry and a full blown M*A*S*H is where the answer lies, and that is what I am seeking here.

I should state that I have had a number of good, basic First Aid courses through out my professional career, and I would be pretty comfortable handling an emergency.

Keep in mind we are talking about what are considered relatively minor injuries today, that in a real survival situation could be life threatening without basic treatment. We're talking general wide application of "routine" emergency medical treatment, including suture of wounds if needed.

If you have a specific product you want to recommend please feel free to PM me so we keep any advertising out of the thread. I think this a great issue to discuss, and I suspect there is a lot of practical knowledge out there to share.

Price is always a consideration, but I do not want to "cheap out" on something this important, either.

Thanks!

[JimBianchi11]

While the kit is invaluable, get the most advanced training you can. CPR, Advanced First Aid, and wilderness survival training will focus on it also. Train, Train Train. It will save your life when it counts.

[Secret Agent Man]

Get dental care items, especialy painkillers and temp fillings.

[lack-of-trust]

while FR is a great resource...

learn from experts.
Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross. become a volunteer with them and get all the free training you have time for.
same goes for your state equivalent of FEMA.

you will know what to pack in your first aid kit based on the training you will have received.

[Lawdoc]

I would take a trip to your local fire station/EMS station and look at what they carry on their ambulances. Not only what they carry, but how its packed. Talk to an experienced medic. They usually love to help people with stuff like this.

[Brad’s Gramma]

http://www.loveableface.com/teeth%20includes%20files/TemporaryToothFilling.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_9596_temporarily-replace-tooth.html

Ya know that thing about teaching old dogs new tricks? Well, I’ll be......

[TheArizona]

I have a place in the Arizona mountains where I used to deer hunt as a kid. I have enough food, vitamins, supplements, and water to keep my wife and 2 kids alive for about a year. Also included is medical supplies, antibiotics, and disinfectants.

I also have an arsenal of weapons and a huge stockpile of various munitions. I believe we could survive for several years between the stockpiled provisions and the ability to live off the land.

Your emergency kit should include more than medical supplies. You need a place to go that is secluded and remote to keep the enemy (the government, Mexicans, Russians, Chinese, Central and/or South American Communists or Muslims) from coming after you. Not to mention the hordes of unprepared people (left wingers) who will try steal your food. At some point, I hope to move my “safe room” to Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska. However due to weather concerns, Arizona may be the better choice.

My dad told me long ago that some day they will come for me and to always be ready, vigilant, and take responsibility for my family. I always thought going hunting was just fun thing to go do when I was a kid. I have feeling my father was really preparing me for what was coming.

I hope this helps.

TheArizona

[Cold Heart]

Anti-fungals,anti-septics, anti- diareals, electrolytes, anti-histamines, cold medicines,,,,,

I see someone added dental.

Injuries are not the only health concerns

[taxcontrol]

In order of precedence:

For now:
Medic / EMT / First Aid training from a competent instructur
Medical DVD (http://www.amazon.com/Basic-First-Aid-Artist-Provided/dp/B0006MGQSM) or similar
First Aid book (http://www.amazon.com/American-Cross-First-Safety-Handbook/dp/0316736465)

SHTF kit:
Sports bag / duffle bag. Put the M3 bag inside.
M3 medic bag - about $60 from military suplus / US Calvary etc

Ziplock square storage containers to hold medicines
Over the counter meds (pepto-bismal, aspirin, fiber pills, diarrhea pills, Benadril, calamine lotion, burn cream, saline, etc) in zip lock containers
Prescription meds in zip lock containers

1 gallon zip lock bags for the following:
Small hand towels
antibacterial soap
Rubbing Alchol, Hydrogen Peroxide
Extra bandages, tape, neosporin, etc
Extra sprain bandages
Duct tape (big roll)
extra scissors
pen, paper

[blackbart.223]

What I would do is take that list and see what the individual items cost if you purchased them on your own. The burn gel bothers me a bit. I don't think you need that. The best way to deal with burns as a first responder is to cool it down with a dressing and cool water. Sterile saline solution is even better. Some burn “remedies” hold the heat in causing more damage.

The items missing here are slpints. You may very well need one in case of fracture. They are however easy to improvise if needed.

I worked as a paramedic so I know what I am talking about.

[killjoy]

Look into the kits offered by Adventure Medical Kits . In particular, the larger kits offered. They are much better stocked with usable equipment than the one you posted. Also look into either Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder courses. A Red Cross First Aid course is close to useless in a survival situation.

[blackbart.223]

Drop the burn cream. It does far more harm than good.

[MamaDearest]

You might want to read FReeper Appalachian_Dweller’s homepage for excellent survival mode info.

[Jack Hammer]

Your link doesn’t seem to be working... or is it just me?

How about posting the URL...

[beaversmom]

I read somewhere, probably on FR, to include Maxi-pads to use as bandages.

[Prodigal Son]

Maybe I didn’t see it in the list but...

Scalpel. If you’re needing this survival kit because civilization is sort of broken down, I think you need a blade. It’s not like you’re wanting to do surgery on yourself or others yet if it comes to it, you’d rather have it than not.

Also, IV catheter needle. My ex-wife was a surgeon (well she still is- she’s just not my wife anymore lol ;-) Anyway, she always kept one of these on her person. It’s really almost a hollow scalpel, the end of it is really a wee blade. She used to do all sorts of on the spot mini-surgeries with these things. It got to be where I was afraid to show her a splinter in my hand because she’d whip this IV needle out and commence to dig it out.

But yeah... Something to cut with. And as long as you’ve opted for something to cut with, might as well get something to suture with as well. Roll of catgut and a couple of suture needles.

[Prodigal Son]

http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/

[blackbart.223]

"I read somewhere, probably on FR, to include Maxi-pads to use as bandages."

They can be very useful depending on the wound. They make trauma badages that look similar but cost more.

[blackbart.223]

"And as long as you’ve opted for something to cut with, might as well get something to suture with as well."

If you don't know what you are doing this could be a bad option. You should irrigate the wound and use butterfly bandages if you are a layman. You can buy butterfly bandages or make your own.

[Prodigal Son]

Yeah, but if needs be, they be. If you have to suture up something, using sterile suture material is definitely a better start than just needle and thread. As long as your just sewing skin together... It’s not like I’m talking about internal organs and stuff. Suture material and needle are handy to have. Just like the scalpel. You’ll know when you need them.