First Aid Kits

[dfonner]

Happy Easter all - We are gearing up for camping season and started taking inventory of gear and what to keep in the pup when I realized that we do not have a good first aid kit. I wanted to get an idea on what everybody takes. Is there is a particular brand, a certain size, manufacturers to avoid, etc. I was in the Marine Corps in a recon unit that was taught advanced first aid, so would like to get something that is pretty inclusive.

thoughts?

[flyfisherman]

Happy Easter all - We are gearing up for camping season and started taking inventory of gear and what to keep in the pup when I realized that we do not have a good first aid kit. I wanted to get an idea on what everybody takes. Is there is a particular brand, a certain size, manufacturers to avoid, etc. I was in the Marine Corps in a recon unit that was taught advanced first aid, so would like to get something that is pretty inclusive.

thoughts?

Don't know just how inclusive you want to get ... maybe we could find a corpsman to tag along with you! (LOL)

I just bought one of those pre-packaged camping kits and added a few things ~ like extra bandaids, a CPR mask, a snake bite kit (don't remember what else). Maybe this will give an idea:

http://theoutdoorworld.com/camping-first-aid-kits.cfm

scroll down and click onto first aid kits ... mine was $25.00 - but there's got to be lots of kits on the market, even saw a good sized one at Wally-Marts the other day.  Hope that helps with your ideas, Boot.


Fly

(USMC
1952 - 1956)

[dfonner]

While a Corpsman might not be a bad idea with 3 boys, that may be a bit of an overkill for the weekend trips

I just thought it might be a wise idea for folks to re-examine their first aid gear and I could garner some knowledge in the process..

Semper Fi

[ScoobyDoo]

Little over 7 years ago when the world was going to end, one of my freinds picked a pretty good milatary surplus kit. (along with cases of MREs) With it and knowhow to use it you should be in good shape... looks like we're back to the corpman.

[astrowolf67]

We bought a prepackaged kit from Walmart.  I believe it's a Johnson & Johnson.  It's got tons of bandaids, burn cream, Advil/Tylenol/Bayer, rubber gloves, gauze pads and rolls, antiseptic cream, scissors, ect.  I believe it was a home kit, cost around 20 bucks, and all we added was some insect sting and snake bite kits.

David

[diane]

I make my own using a smaller rubbermaid tote. The regular stuff (bandaids antiseptic and such) Benadryl liquid and topical, a cheap sling, sting kill, feminine hygene products (can also be used as a pressure dressing for injury-severe bleeding) plus a least 3 instant ice packs. I use 3 because last trip my son broke his nose :yikes:  and I needed all of them by the time we were seen in the ER. I also like to bring a list of contact phone #'s for any extra tag along kids that come camping with us (and there always are extras)

[cyclone]

Our first aid kit includes a few items for both the human and canine campers.  We learned how wise our vet is when she suggested that we keep the ingredients on hand for "skunk off".  Hydrogen peroxide, Dawn detergent, and baking soda.  Unfortunately, we had to mix up that stuff one night while camping.  Not fun, but it really does work.

[Camping Coxes]

I make my own using a smaller rubbermaid tote. The regular stuff (bandaids antiseptic and such) Benadryl liquid and topical, a cheap sling, sting kill, feminine hygene products (can also be used as a pressure dressing for injury-severe bleeding) plus a least 3 instant ice packs. I use 3 because last trip my son broke his nose :yikes: and I needed all of them by the time we were seen in the ER. I also like to bring a list of contact phone #'s for any extra tag along kids that come camping with us (and there always are extras)

I do the same thng, and this kit goes in and out of the truck to also be used for sports teams and Girl Scouts.  And it seems every trip I notice something to add, based on circumstances.  There are some atypical things I have in there, like a ruler to use to stabilize a fracture with the ACE bandage, if necessary.  I have regular everyday medicines, like chewable Pepto Bismol, Motrin and Nyquil.  
 
Some first aid things I've discovered over the years:  I've discovered 2X2 squares and that sticky bandage wrap make great bandages for torn up knees.  I've discovered you'll need some type of liquid to wash gravel out of a wound.  I've discovered whatever woman is on the trip will get her monthly visitor on the first day of camping.  I've discovered that instant ice packs left in a hot environment over time will turn into hard bricks that are no longer usable.  I've discovered liquid cough medicine in a first aid kit is asking for a mess of monumental proportions.

[GeneF]

Just one word of caution, be sure to check the expiration dates on some of the stuff you have in your first aid kit.

Amazing how fast some of that stuff seems to age.  We check the dates at the start of each camping season.

[AustinBoston]

Just one word of caution, be sure to check the expiration dates on some of the stuff you have in your first aid kit.

Amazing how fast some of that stuff seems to age.  We check the dates at the start of each camping season.

Good advice, especially if the kit is stored in the tow vehicle, where it gets cooked on a regular basis.  Heat tends shorten expiration dates like nothing else can.

Austin

[wavery]

It's always best to "Build" your own personal kit. It should depend on your skills and the distance that you will be camping from medical aid.

I used to make long ocean passages, up to 60 days in duration and hundreds of miles from help. At that time, I carried a full medical kit, including sutures, morphine, rib splitters, bone stabilizers etc. I was virtually a floating hospital without a Dr....only a HAM radio with a questionable link to a Coast Guard Radio Medic.

On the other extreme, we carry band-aides and a few, creams & stuff in our car because we are always close to medical aid.

It's a good idea to check out your 1st aid kit closely anytime that you will be out of contact with civilization. Consider the things that you may be called on to do (stabalize broken bone, stop bleeding etc), to save the life of a mate or fellow camper. Not having the simplest item could cost a life.

It is essential (IMO) to have the basic ability to stop bleeding. Check out some of the stick-on stitches that are on the market and put a few in your kit. We carry an Epipen at all times due to my allergies. It's small stuff like that, that can save a life. 5 boxes of 15 different size bandages is pretty useless IMO but that is what they fill the space with in most kits that you buy.

Some hospitals offer CPR and other basic, life saving classes for free. If you are going to be remote camping, I would consider them a must.

[flyfisherman]

It is essential (IMO) to have the basic ability to stop bleeding.

You and Diane got me to thinking ...
(memory not like it use to be with all the hog fat in my diet!)
And I remember what my old fishing buddy and I were talking about last season, which I forgot all about ... To stop serious bleeding, like maybe from a mis-placed axe swing, my buddy has incorporated into his first aid kit a couple of  feminine santitary napkins (individually packaged) for use as pressure bandages -AND- a couple of small packages of instant mashed potatoes.  The later will coagulate the blood. The drill is to simply open the instant mashed potatoes and pour over the wound and cover with the sanitaty napkin and tape it tight.


Fly

[AustinBoston]

First aid for severe abdominal injury:

1) Move away from patient and vomit (a)

2) Treat injury as trained


Footnotes:
(a) - This step is optional, and should be performed after step 2 if possible.

Austin (found a way to gross out a hardened ER doctor with a finger cut :yikes: )