I was working with some of my fellow shooting enthusiasts to get some trauma/blow out kits put together for use when the unimaginable happens- you get shot or otherwise severely injured whether during a day at the range (like when the doofus three benches down who doesn't follow the basic safety rules ends up putting a round in you) or during a home invasion or other self defense scenario. The military issues such advanced first aid kits, and these things save lives.
And then I started thinking of all the stuff we do on a farm (using tractors, powerful tools, chainsaws, and so on) that could result in severe injury (like my grandfather who received a very deep cut while using a side grinder) that goes beyond what the basic first aid kits you can buy at the store cover (those are generally nothing more than boo-boo kits with bandages, gauze, tape, and similar misc items). And many of us, myself included, are far, far away from EMS.
So, basically, we're looking at stopping massive bleeding, deep puncture wounds, and such, and maybe keeping the airway clear. Get a tourniquet that can be applied one handed (such as the Combat Applications Tourniquet or a SOF-T tourniquet) (about $25-30 each), some good pressure bandages (such as the Isreali bandage, about $7 or so each). Applying a tourniquet isn't going to do harm (especially since we are mainly looking at staying alive long enough to reach the nearest hospital or until the EMTs arrive, it takes hours of tourniquet use to cause limb damage, strap it on and leave it for the hospital to deal with). Some good gauze to pack the wound and a good pressure bandage to apply constant pressure. You may opt to add a hemostatic agent like quickclot or celox to the kit. A "nose trumpet" airway device and some lubricating jelly in a pouch is also a cheap ($5 or so) option to add, just in case. Pack the stuff in a dedicated pouch and learn how to use it.
Various medical supply sites offer individual blow out kits for around $45 or so and are well worth a look.
Just something to think about (although I know how unpleasant it is to think about, but staying alive sometimes takes drastic measures). Google blow out kit or trauma kit and read up...
And then I started thinking of all the stuff we do on a farm (using tractors, powerful tools, chainsaws, and so on) that could result in severe injury (like my grandfather who received a very deep cut while using a side grinder) that goes beyond what the basic first aid kits you can buy at the store cover (those are generally nothing more than boo-boo kits with bandages, gauze, tape, and similar misc items). And many of us, myself included, are far, far away from EMS.
So, basically, we're looking at stopping massive bleeding, deep puncture wounds, and such, and maybe keeping the airway clear. Get a tourniquet that can be applied one handed (such as the Combat Applications Tourniquet or a SOF-T tourniquet) (about $25-30 each), some good pressure bandages (such as the Isreali bandage, about $7 or so each). Applying a tourniquet isn't going to do harm (especially since we are mainly looking at staying alive long enough to reach the nearest hospital or until the EMTs arrive, it takes hours of tourniquet use to cause limb damage, strap it on and leave it for the hospital to deal with). Some good gauze to pack the wound and a good pressure bandage to apply constant pressure. You may opt to add a hemostatic agent like quickclot or celox to the kit. A "nose trumpet" airway device and some lubricating jelly in a pouch is also a cheap ($5 or so) option to add, just in case. Pack the stuff in a dedicated pouch and learn how to use it.
Various medical supply sites offer individual blow out kits for around $45 or so and are well worth a look.
Just something to think about (although I know how unpleasant it is to think about, but staying alive sometimes takes drastic measures). Google blow out kit or trauma kit and read up...
