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

[paulsharvey]

I know of no such laws that requires anyone to render aid. I'm not being snippy here, just say'en my understanding is entirely different. And of course if aid is needed, I'd try my best and damn the lawyers for later. My understanding is that willful non-involvement is protected.

Some trained medical professionals are required. There is a catch; that i discussed with my mom, an RN (my wife is as well); your an RN in Florida, you stop in Ga, are you a nurse, a good Samaritan, or an unlicensed provider? I do think they are Legally required, but as a condition of the license?

Anyways; that is why they tell nurses (and paramedics) dont put that crap on your car, your shirt, ect.

 

[paulsharvey]

All states have different good Good Samaritan laws and most will protect those who are trying to help.

Yes and No. They still can generally go after you for injuries resulting from the help, negligence, ect; and none of that protects from blood born pathogens, combative "patients", or the stress of them dying.

Our class, they pointed out, once you start rendering aid, you Are obligated to continue aid until relieved, or you physically are no longer able to render aid.

Edit: Just cause the instructor told us that, does not make it fact...

 

[paulsharvey]

Im no lawyer, but that good faith, gross negligence, ect seems to include enough grey to some lawyers that you very well could get punished for trying to do the "right" thing. They dont have to win to disrupt your life. He'll, if nothing else, you could Easily be called to multiple depositions, and waste days of your life.

 

[sunandsand]

Sad state of affairs when someone who can render aid is afraid to do it because of some obscure laws.

"Our pilot just died, can anyone here fly an airplane?"
"I can, but I won't because I'm not multi-engine rated."
Boom.

(Actually, the FAA is slightly smarter than that. You can break ANY FAA rule or regulation to save lives.)

Back on topic, I have a couple of halfway decent first aid kits from Humana. They're free, but fairly basic and for home use, but they are a start, and the tough plastic case would survive living somewhere on my tractor.

Best Regards,
Mike/Florida

 

[paulsharvey]

So, on the topic, not on to treat or not;
You kinda need to look at it as, really minor, you really dont need much or anything; really major, you're calling 911, although you might need to slow a bleed for 20 minutes. I look at a first aid kit for the, needs something, but not going to hospital; stuff like nails though the hand/foot; heavy bleeding cut, ect. Tape and gause do that well. Eye flush, ect. Gloves, although, in the field, they Often rip. Most come with alcohol wipes, but a 4 oz squeeze bottle is better to flush the trash out...

The odds of a general civilian treat a GSW is as close to zero as possible; you're not going to sow up wounds, diagnose a heart attack vs stroke, treat a snake bite, ect. Dig out a fish hook, yep, machete cut in the hand, yep, nail through hand, sure. 80-20 rule

All of that changes depending on distance to ER. Around here, it's hard to be more than 30 mins to some emergency room; Wyoming, or something, that might be 1h30m

 

[paulsharvey]

At work, (generally sub contractors, not our own guys); nailing though skull, cut off finger, machete cut on leg, concrete saw blade broken and in jaw bone; a wodded up tee shirt works better than most kits. Falls, car hits, ect; your just not able to see the damage to do anything about

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

My most recent addition to my kit is Dramamine.

Never Have I thought of it as something I'd need, but after a bout of nystagmus, where I stood up and the world fell over, I've been told by my ENT to keep some around. As a former sailor it kind of chaffs me to have it.

Duct tape is good stuff. I was replacing a broken window and sliced my wrist open. I bent my wrist to close the wound and then wrapped it in duct tape and drove to the emergency room. Got 6 stiches for my trouble.

 

[paulsharvey]

My most recent addition to my kit is Dramamine.

Never Have I thought of it as something I'd need, but after a bout of nystagmus, where I stood up and the world fell over, I've been told by my ENT to keep some around. As a former sailor it kind of chaffs me to have it.

Duct tape is good stuff. I was replacing a broken window and sliced my wrist open. I bent my wrist to close the wound and then wrapped it in duct tape and drove to the emergency room. Got 6 stiches for my trouble.

Most pre-made kits include scissors; but if making your own kit, consider you are likely working 1 handed; so simple stuff like pulling the tape apart becomes harder.

Most pre-made kits do Not include a knife of any sort, and a cheap, sharp one can come in handy.

Finger nail clippers are good at removing large splinters

I dont know that its "first aid" but some liquid IV, pedalite; or similar; heat stroke is deadly.

A lighter might be good, as now days few people carry one;

Edit; in my experience, actually first aid is mostly, either tape and gause, or 911.

 

[Jams AB]

Responder shears for cutting clothing or bandages.

 

[Topzide]

Electrical tape and paper towels are my go to for first aid.