First-Aid Kit SAK

[Tired_Yeti]

I have my EDC SAK and I have an old Huntsman in the kitchen "junk drawer" for my wife to use. I even have a Stay-Glow Classic SD in a survival tin that I'm putting together. So I got to thinking...I know we have EMTs, paramedics, nurses, medical doctors, and veterinarians on here sonI'm sure there's a wealth of knowledge and ideas. But keeping our suggestions at the level of the untrained or First-Aid trained layman...
If you were going to select a SAK to be kept inside of a First-Aid kit to be used by anyone who grabs the kit. To be used to perform any of the most common, most necessary emergency medical skills (not taking about surgery or invasive procedures that require training)--the things laymen with First-Aid training would do (to include preparing and taking or administering medications)...

Which model would you chose?

Something with all the tools you think necessary, but not so complex that your wife/mom/sister/grandparent wouldn't try to use it.


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[Zephon]

For larger one -- I'm looking at the Explorer.  Simply for the magnifying glass for splinters and what have you.  Anything a simple as a Compact will do I guess.

For a smaller one, there's a Manager in the basic kit at home. 

As long as there's tweezers, scissors and a sharp blade, it'll do.

[Little Tinker]

Which model would you chose?

Fisherman for civilian use: those fish-hook injuries can be messy so a proper hook removal tool could be invaluable  .

CyberTool Lite is potentially useful.  Scissors to cut material, tweezers for splinters, pliers to remove heftier foreign bodies ( ), light to illuminate things, magnifier to inspect them (but not at same time  ).  Just a shame about the actual CyberTool which may be somewhat redundant  !

[Don Pablo]

Which model would you chose?

Fisherman for civilian use: those fish-hook injuries can be messy so a proper hook removal tool could be invaluable  .

CyberTool Lite is potentially useful.  Scissors to cut material, tweezers for splinters, pliers to remove heftier foreign bodies ( ), light to illuminate things, magnifier to inspect them (but not at same time  ).  Just a shame about the actual CyberTool which may be somewhat redundant  !

SAK light is no match for a little keychain light. 

[magentus]

This is timely! I am just about to add my Compact (gifted by the ever generous El-Corkscrew) to my 1st aid kit! So that's the one I'd go with. 

[hiraethus]

As long as there's tweezers, scissors and a sharp blade, it'll do.

I've got a Classic in mine.

[magentus]

As long as there's tweezers, scissors and a sharp blade, it'll do.

I've got a Classic in mine.

Classic Hiraethus

[Kev D]

As long as there's tweezers, scissors and a sharp blade, it'll do.

I've got a Classic in mine.

Classic Hiraethus

Careful you don't cut yourself on that 

[MacGyver]

Which model would you chose?

For a first aid kit?
Compact!! without any question... 

[magentus]

Which model would you chose?

For a first aid kit?
Compact!! without any question... 

[AimlessWanderer]

The small first aid kit that I use when out walking or camping, has had a Compact in it for the last few years.

[kkokkolis]

Not sure about the Compact. The Climber costs half as much and has a pen blade (can be used as a clean blade, with the other kept for cutting the clothes etc) and a stronger prying tool.

[Nix]

I'm not sure there is any one ideal SAK for a first aid kit, but I tend to include a Classic SD in my kits. My ideal FAK SAK would be along the lines of the rescue tool, but with scissors added. And I'd probably leave it at home because it would be too big and heavy.

Every FAK should be tailored for it's intended environment, space constraints, and the likely risks. I have small FAK's that can slip into a pocket or brief case. I have a large FAK that I carry in my truck. Around the house I have a couple spots where I keep regular medical supplies. Each environment has different risks and space/weight constraints.

At home, I've got burn dressings, bandages, band-aids, ace wraps, antibiotic ointment, meds, etc.....the full deal. Space isn't a concern, so I have a decent tool kit with shears, forceps, tweezers, syringes, fresnel magnifying lens, etc.... And, EMS is nearby. I have some sutures, but, really, if I need sutures I'm going to the ER.

For hiking/backpacking, I'm thinking splinters, blisters, cuts/scrapes, maybe an insect or snake bite, a twisted ankle, possible dehydration, hypothermia. I'm not far from help on a day hike, but I may not have cell phone coverage. So my kit is tailored for those things. Scissors and tweezers are key components, so any SAK with those is a good idea. I usually have a Classic SD in my day hike kits, but this anticipates that I have another knife on my person (which I always do.  ). I think the bigger scissors of the Compact or Climber would be great, but those knives take up more space. Space is a precious commodity in a FAK. A Hercules would be great....but too big, too heavy.

The SAK in my truck's FAK is also a Classic SD. In that case, though, I have extra dedicated tools: trauma shears, forceps, CPR mask, tweezers, flashlight. And a knife in my pocket.

My office kit is pretty minimal: iodine wipes, band-aids, aspirin, diphenhydramine, tweezers. Help is nearby, the risks are minimal. There is no SAK in my office FAK. I'll have to rely on the knives I have with me--one of which, probably a Classic, will have scissors. I'll also have a small flashlight on hand. I've got a CPR mask in a desk drawer.

My combat FAK had shears, but no knife. And several tourniquets. Help in the form of a combat medic was right next to me and a helicopter ambulance was usually available.

So, I guess the Classic is the SAK I've chosen for my FAK's. Small size, good capabilities, and can be paired nicely with more dedicated tools if the situation warrants. I'd say figure out what your risks are, what your likely needs might be, and what other tools you will have at hand; balance those factors with what you are willing to carry and how much space you can dedicate to a FAK. I think, like the rest of life, it's all about compromises.

Let us know what you choose! 

[lister]

When in doubt pick swisschapm XLT. That should cover more or less all possible uses a sak can be put to... 

[KandiKlover]

When in doubt pick swisschapm XLT. That should cover more or less all possible uses a sak can be put to... 

Better yet go full XAVT. Dat pharmaceutical spatula   

[lister]

But who has hands big enough to handle one of those... 

Although, medical spatula does make sense in fist aid kit. 

 

[stugumby]

I would select the executive,it has the mid size scissors and the small serrated blade. It also has 2 other cutting blades and a nail file.74mm sized, so it's bigger than classic,but smaller than cadet 84mm and 91mm models.

[strmliner]

As long as there's tweezers, scissors and a sharp blade, it'll do.

I've got a Classic in mine.

Ditto   

[Frailer]

I'd opt for a Compact, but as has already been mentioned, a Climber would work just as well (with the addition of a straight pin in the scales).

I could also think of many situations where the pliers (tweezers on steroids) would be handy, so a Deluxe Tinker wouldn't be a bad idea.

Wilderness first aid might call for a saw, and a magnifying glass might be useful in some situations, so...

Swisschamp?

[ironraven]

Climber or Compact. But rebuilt as an Alox so it can be dumped in boiling water to sterilize it

[Tired_Yeti]

Climber or Compact. But rebuilt as an Alox so it can be dumped in boiling water to sterilize it

So you'd sacrifice the tweezers?


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[Nix]

I don't go nowhere without no tweezers.

And unless you feel confident doing surgery in a non-sterile environment, being able to sterilize a knife may not be a critical requirement. The first aid environment is likely to be messy and definitely not sterile. Been there, done that.

Story time: I once cut my foot with an axe. The cut hit an artery, but, fortunately, the axe got stuck in a bone in my foot and didn't go all the way through. Blood was spraying everywhere--you'll know an arterial bleed when you see one. The first thing I got my hands on was a dirty kitchen towel which I used to staunch the blood spray. That gave me time to gather up first aid supplies and dress and bandage the wound. I then drove myself to the ER. Given the contamination of the axe, the towel, my hands, etc...the wound was surprisingly clean. Not that that stopped the ER nurse from scrubbing out the wound while I writhed on the table.

My point here is that First Aid is just first aid, second aid will come later. Hopefully you won't need third aid.

Of course you want to be as clean as possible to prevent contamination, but the key thing is to keep someone's heart going, keep them breathing, and stop excessive bleeding. If you are thinking about using a knife on someone in the home or field environment, cleanliness will be less critical than the knowledge of how and where to cut them. I'd recommend a sterile scalpel if you are thinking of putting a chest tube into someone. But, if you don't have a sterile blade, would you not put in a chest tube? (If someone needs a chest tube, there won't be time to sterilize a SAK. And boiling doesn't completely sterilize a knife, regardless.) If you'd contemplate doing a cricothyrotomy, will you have a sterile airway with you? If not, why worry about a semi-clean knife? (BTW, the blade on the Classic would make a fine cricothyrotomy knife.)

Chances are, you won't need a knife blade to cut anything more than some clothing or a seatbelt. That can be a dirty and relatively small blade (I once used a 4" folder to cut off some clothing from a simulated patient, but that was definitely overkill and maybe a bit dangerous.). After that, scissors/shears will be most helpful. Simple things like cuts, scrapes, splinters, burns, and bites don't require a knife. But tweezers.....

p.s. foot was fine after a dozen stitches and a lot of pain. Lesson learned. The hard way. Again.

[ThePeacent]

I don't go nowhere without no tweezers.

And unless you feel confident doing surgery in a non-sterile environment, being able to sterilize a knife may not be a critical requirement. The first aid environment is likely to be messy and definitely not sterile. Been there, done that.

Story time: I once cut my foot with an axe. The cut hit an artery, but, fortunately, the axe got stuck in a bone in my foot and didn't go all the way through. Blood was spraying everywhere--you'll know an arterial bleed when you see one. The first thing I got my hands on was a dirty kitchen towel which I used to staunch the blood spray. That gave me time to gather up first aid supplies and dress and bandage the wound. I then drove myself to the ER. Given the contamination of the axe, the towel, my hands, etc...the wound was surprisingly clean. Not that that stopped the ER nurse from scrubbing out the wound while I writhed on the table.

My point here is that First Aid is just first aid, second aid will come later. Hopefully you won't need third aid.

Of course you want to be as clean as possible to prevent contamination, but the key thing is to keep someone's heart going, keep them breathing, and stop excessive bleeding. If you are thinking about using a knife on someone in the home or field environment, cleanliness will be less critical than the knowledge of how and where to cut them. I'd recommend a sterile scalpel if you are thinking of putting a chest tube into someone. But, if you don't have a sterile blade, would you not put in a chest tube? (If someone needs a chest tube, there won't be time to sterilize a SAK. And boiling doesn't completely sterilize a knife, regardless.) If you'd contemplate doing a cricothyrotomy, will you have a sterile airway with you? If not, why worry about a semi-clean knife? (BTW, the blade on the Classic would make a fine cricothyrotomy knife.)

Chances are, you won't need a knife blade to cut anything more than some clothing or a seatbelt. That can be a dirty and relatively small blade (I once used a 4" folder to cut off some clothing from a simulated patient, but that was definitely overkill and maybe a bit dangerous.). After that, scissors/shears will be most helpful. Simple things like cuts, scrapes, splinters, burns, and bites don't require a knife. But tweezers.....

p.s. foot was fine after a dozen stitches and a lot of pain. Lesson learned. The hard way. Again.

very nice said, I aagree on all points.
I also learned that lesson...

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the hard way

[Nix]

Ouch!

That'll leave a mark. 

[ironraven]

Climber or Compact. But rebuilt as an Alox so it can be dumped in boiling water to sterilize it

So you'd sacrifice the tweezers?

I find SAK tweezers to be insufficent quite often. I keep them as back up for slivers that are just caught, but I also have a pair of usable tweezers with me most of the time. That being said, my slivers often need the hemostats I keep with my LM to get a grip on. I rarely get dainty little fine ones- mine are often toothpick thick.

[Sazabi]

I currently have most of my FAKs equipped with Classics, mainly due to me having a surplus of them, and because they're among the most utilitarian model they have:  small, sharp blade, file, a pair of precise scissors, and the ever handy tweezers.  Reading through these replies does make me want to reconsider replacing a couple of them with Executives for the greater functionality, but for the majority of my personal-sized kits, the humble little Classic (or Classic SD) punches well above its weight class, especially for a sub-$10 knife.

[theonew]

Tweezers are for girls. When my wife gets a splinter I use tweezers. When I get a splinter I cut it out with a knife

[AimlessWanderer]

Depends which direction it's gone in. I like to have both knife and tweezers (or fine pliers)

[theonew]

And if it is completely intractable you will need a saw to just lop off the whole limb

[Nix]

I have to thank Tired_Yeti for this thread. I was prompted to review and update the contents of a couple of my FAK's.

My briefcase FAK got a complete overhaul. I used to just keep the FAK packed in a heavy duty ziplock back. This was adequate, but the bag started to wear and become dirty. To help prevent undue wear and tear, I made a small FAK case from scraps I had on hand (Pioneer X for scale only. It was used during construction of the FAK case.):




The contents got updated and a small Classic SD was added.



I'm pretty happy with the update and feel a tad better prepared for the unexpected.

p.s. no one was injured or needed to go to the ER during the making of this FAK.