First Aid Kits and Supplies

[3930dave]

Well, anything that's going to require stitches should just be rinsed out with clear water, and left open. Pack the wound with dressing to control the bleeding and take them to the ER. Applying anything else will just cause complications. Now if we are talking days of travel time to get out of the bush, then the game changes a little.

I have to take wilderness first aid every two years as part of my job. It's a three day course. Not saying I'm an expert or anything....

The worst bites you can get btw are Humans and Cats in terms of infection.

I've known a few pretty sharp medical folks, and they'll tell you there is still plenty they don't know about the human body.... one of those The More You Know, the more you realize You Don't Know deals....

I took a First Aid course recently, which highlighted to me how much I needed to pick up my game.....

Good point about cats, and for good reason, people with diagnosed serious communicable diseases have faced major criminal charges for biting others - good examples of something I'd risk throwing peroxide on, if it was my body with the injury.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Dave, you mentioned needing a case that would stand up to abuse. I would recommend getting one of the smaller pelican cases. When I started back mountain biking I put together my own FA kit because I wasn't really happy with the options immediately available to me and used one of pelican's micro-cases. They come in a couple handy sizes so you can pick one to suit your needs.

One of the neat things I found at TSC aside from the vetwrap already mentioned is that they have a large supply of needles for animal immunizations. I picked up a small box of 18ga needles and keep one in my first aid kit and couple around the house. They are awesome for teasing out splinters, and I've found come in handy for a multitude of other random tasks.

I noticed a couple of people mentioned keeping super glue for first aid. Just my two cents but if you are going to go that route go ahead and spend the 17.00 to 20.00 and order some vetbond online. Superglue, vetbond and dermabond generally speaking are a related family of cyanoacrylates. The variants found in over the counter super glues tend to be comprised of cyanoacrylates that are tissue irritants, present some toxicity issues that can impact wound healing, and can produce an uncomfortable amount of heat curing in a wet environment.

I'm not saying that regular superglue can't be used in a first aid situation, nor am I saying it hasn't been used without ill effects. Just wanted to throw out a slightly healthier option.


View attachment 364825

I have a large pelican case, and really like it. Thanks for pointing out the smaller ones, as I hadn't realized they had them that small. Good plan mountain biking.... even in the pre-Youtube days, I knew a few people that racked up some impressive injuries on M bikes. One guy just about removed an eyeball.... he rode off the trail, as he was looking back checking out a lady riding the other direction......

Also appreciated is you raising the distinction between the classes of cyano's... makes sense that there are some better variants out there.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

If you looking for kits look at Chinook medical They have many different kits from burn, trauma, puncture etc.
I have a few of theirs and I also bought a tourniquet and two different size neck immobilizers. My daughter who is 6 knows how to put the neck brace on me and where we keep the kits so if I ask for it she will get it for me. I worry about being so far away from medical help that every minuet counts.
I also tried to think about what would most likely happen, burn (yes fuel spill etc), puncture sure fall on something or archery season, trauma same, neck easy to happen.

Thanks for the Chinook reference, I will check it out.

It would take a lot more practice for me to even begin to think I was getting fast splinting arms or legs, but you raise a great point..... necks are harder to improvise splints for !

Rgds, D.

 

[NHmitch]

In the Air Force when I was on the ground outside the wire in our forward deployed locations, we had an IFAK, or Individual First Aid Kit, or in Army Jargon, Improved First Aid Kit. The Air Force one that I had was a bit more extensive, but the Army one that I have from my duty gear, was what made the base for my tractor first air kit.

Below is a list of the contents and a photo of and IFAK. The idea is that you want to be able to stop bleeding, until help arrives, and help maintain an airway. Stopping bleeding will save your life. Wound suturing, and cleaning should really be performed in a sterile environment using aseptic techniques, because an infection can and will kill you.

I bought a kit that mounts to my ROPS and that I hopefully can reach if I need it. You unzip it, and it folds down, so everything is in front of you so you can access it with one hand. I added a few items to mine, like band-aids, and a few other items that I may need if the wound is small, and does not require me to leave where I am at, but the most important issue is to be able to 1) get help, and 2) stabilize yourself, or someone else until help arrives. I often use my tractor to cut and split firewood in the woods on our property, and I want to be able to save myself if I have an accident beyond all of my safety gear (Chaps, Helmet, Eyes, and Ears, cut resistant gloves, and steel toe boots.)

I keep a very loud whistle on the keychain of my tractor and on my belt so I can call for help if I need it. A whistle will be heard a lot farther than yelling. I have a small air horn in my bag incase I can't use a-b, and also to scare away a bear if need be. I usually always maintain two way radio contact with my wife with small FRS radios and she knows where I am at, and what I am doing. This may all sound like overkill, but my life is a very important priority to me, and I have seen what can happen.

These are items that no kit should be without in my opinion, and what we had standard in our kits in the military. In the kit is a tourniquet, and this will save your life if the wound is severe enough, but as a disclaimer, this is to be used only as a last resort, because you will loose your limb below this device: http://www.amazon.com/C-A-T-Combat-...TF8&qid=1394606805&sr=8-5&keywords=quick+clot I also have Quick Clot, and this is a great resource to have if you need to stop bleeding, and you can buy it for very inexpensive: http://www.amazon.com/Quikclot-Adva...TF8&qid=1394606805&sr=8-1&keywords=quick+clot
There are also several Israeli Bandages that will work as a pressure bandage, and allow you to keep the bandage in place with the straps attached to it. They run under $9 http://www.amazon.com/Ever-Ready-Fi...sim_hpc_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=17DMCETVHWAZ7BVDRYSK


Below are photos of my kit, and where I bought it. You can find IFAK's pre made on eBay, and other sites for around $50 with all you need to save your life. I also have an epi-pen because I am allergic to bees, and I have run over a large underground nest on my tractor before in the woods. Hope this helps, and stay safe!

A Pre-made Kit:
Elite First Aid Inc Enhanced IFAK Level 1 1st Aid Kit FA200 ACU Black Tan OD | eBay

My ROPS First Aid bag: (you can click on each photo to open it)

Smittybilt 769541 First Aid Storage Bag : Amazon.com : Automotive

My Set Up:













The US Army IFAK kit contents:

Tourniquet, Combat Application
Bandage Kit, Elastic
Bandage Gauze 4-1/2" 100/Pkg
Adhesive Tape Surg 2" 6's Roll
Airway, Nasopharyngeal, 28fr, 12s
Glove, Patient Exam 100/Pkg (4ea)
Pouch, IFAK
Insert, IFAK (has folding panels, with cord attached)

 

[3930dave]

In the Air Force when I was on the ground outside the wire in our forward deployed locations, we had an IFAK, or Individual First Aid Kit, or in Army Jargon, Improved First Aid Kit. The Air Force one that I had was a bit more extensive, but the Army one that I have from my duty gear, was what made the base for my tractor first air kit.

Below is a list of the contents and a photo of and IFAK. The idea is that you want to be able to stop bleeding, until help arrives, and help maintain an airway. Stopping bleeding will save your life. Wound suturing, and cleaning should really be performed in a sterile environment using aseptic techniques, because an infection can and will kill you.

I bought a kit that mounts to my ROPS and that I hopefully can reach if I need it. You unzip it, and it folds down, so everything is in front of you so you can access it with one hand. I added a few items to mine, like band-aids, and a few other items that I may need if the wound is small, and does not require me to leave where I am at, but the most important issue is to be able to 1) get help, and 2) stabilize yourself, or someone else until help arrives. I often use my tractor to cut and split firewood in the woods on our property, and I want to be able to save myself if I have an accident beyond all of my safety gear (Chaps, Helmet, Eyes, and Ears, cut resistant gloves, and steel toe boots.)

I keep a very loud whistle on the keychain of my tractor and on my belt so I can call for help if I need it. A whistle will be heard a lot farther than yelling. I have a small air horn in my bag incase I can't use a-b, and also to scare away a bear if need be. I usually always maintain two way radio contact with my wife with small FRS radios and she knows where I am at, and what I am doing. This may all sound like overkill, but my life is a very important priority to me, and I have seen what can happen.

These are items that no kit should be without in my opinion, and what we had standard in our kits in the military. In the kit is a tourniquet, and this will save your life if the wound is severe enough, but as a disclaimer, this is to be used only as a last resort, because you will loose your limb below this device: Amazon.com: C-A-T Combat Application Tourniquet All black version: Health & Personal Care I also have Quick Clot, and this is a great resource to have if you need to stop bleeding, and you can buy it for very inexpensive: Amazon.com: Quikclot Sport Brand Advanced Clotting Sponge ,Stop Bleeding Fast, 50 Gram Package: Health & Personal Care
There are also several Israeli Bandages that will work as a pressure bandage, and allow you to keep the bandage in place with the straps attached to it. They run under $9 Amazon.com: Ever Ready First Aid Israeli Bandage Battle Dressing First Aid Compression Bandage, 6 Inch, 5 Ounce: Health & Personal Care


Below are photos of my kit, and where I bought it. You can find IFAK's pre made on eBay, and other sites for around $50 with all you need to save your life. I also have an epi-pen because I am allergic to bees, and I have run over a large underground nest on my tractor before in the woods. Hope this helps, and stay safe!

A Pre-made Kit:
Elite First Aid Inc Enhanced IFAK Level 1 1st Aid Kit FA200 ACU Black Tan OD | eBay

My ROPS First Aid bag: (you can click on each photo to open it)

Smittybilt 769541 First Aid Storage Bag : Amazon.com : Automotive

My Set Up:

View attachment 364899

View attachment 364900

View attachment 364901

View attachment 364902

View attachment 364903

View attachment 364904

The US Army IFAK kit contents:

Tourniquet, Combat Application
Bandage Kit, Elastic
Bandage Gauze 4-1/2" 100/Pkg
Adhesive Tape Surg 2" 6's Roll
Airway, Nasopharyngeal, 28fr, 12s
Glove, Patient Exam 100/Pkg (4ea)
Pouch, IFAK
Insert, IFAK (has folding panels, with cord attached)

Great post Mitch. I'll get back to your kit in a sec, but wanted to comment on 2 really good general points you raise.

Modern tractors have a major safety item already, a ROPS - leverage off of that to provide a readily accessible, but still stable AND readily detachable kit system. Big :thumbsup: , esp. on this forum.

It naturally comes up in Survival training, but your point about a whistle in First Aid is important, and not just when you are alone. I have a Fox40 on my wife's car keys; I need to buy a few more....

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience, and putting together lots of linked info.... esp. for adding your personal pictures, you know how popular they are on TBN :thumbsup:

Discussions like this help a lot, as just looking at something like the Smittybilt ebay ad doesn't really clue you in to how flexible the mounting system is for that black kit bag. I'll stop by the Smittybilt site later, for a better look at the straps....

On your kit, is there anything particular about what I think is a knife clipped to the outside of your pack ?

I don't presently have the training to use all of the items in that kit properly, but I do understand their place in treating severe trauma - like you said, $50 spent can save a life - even if I don't presently have the right level of training, somebody else at the scene may have the level of training needed.

Rgds, D.

 

[cmyoung2]

Very neat kit, compact and versatile. I really like the addition of the knife. The roll bar is a good mounting place, for fire extinguisher also. I would have to mount it on the inside of the bar--I would rip it off on the first object I went past Two questions- Is the pack waterproof? Do tractors have license plates in NH?

 

[Wagtail]

A very efficient and inexpensive wound dressing is a 'feminine hygiene' pad... the ones with the sticky "wings".

I remember, during first aid training, being told that if you need extra first aid supplies (major pile-up on the highway) to solicit other vehicles for these pads.

Anyway, if the FA Kit is for around the property/tractor then I reckon that the St. John's Ambulance people would be the people to consult as they've got all sorts of kits & could probably make one up for you.

 

[3930dave]

A very efficient and inexpensive wound dressing is a 'feminine hygiene' pad... the ones with the sticky "wings".

I remember, during first aid training, being told that if you need extra first aid supplies (major pile-up on the highway) to solicit other vehicles for these pads.

Anyway, if the FA Kit is for around the property/tractor then I reckon that the St. John's Ambulance people would be the people to consult as they've got all sorts of kits & could probably make one up for you.

Great point Wag, about the feminine pads.

I took my recent course at the local St. John office. Good course, and I like the Standard reference book I received. They do have various kits in stock, and I may pick one up there.

I started this thread for a few reasons, but one was to solicit real-world feedback on the kit/case/bag itself. 411 on things like the small Pelican cases, and this Smittybilt bag don't leap to mind at first, but if the case itself has real-world limitations, that will affect the quick access and physical integrity of the kit.

As bad as the commercial listings are (info/pic wise) for that Smittybilt bag, what I gained from Mitch's post is a strong appreciation for the access and mounting flexiblity of that bag (further described in Amazon feedback too). In a mobile application, one of my issues with a kit is having one place to reliably mount and access the kit - many times you don't want to start drilling holes in personal vehicles....

Rgds, D.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

These guys sell some good kits.

https://www.restockyourkit.com/
The Center for Wilderness Safety ? Wilderness Medicine Training

 

[3930dave]

These guys sell some good kits.

https://www.restockyourkit.com/
The Center for Wilderness Safety ? Wilderness Medicine Training

Thanks Buckeye !

Rgds, D.