First Aid Kit

[Looti Tlum]

Wondering what you guys consider your essentials for "large pocket" first aid carry? What about in your backpack?

Any of you had to put it to use?

Cheers

[Aloha]

I posted my hike 1st aid https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,82630.msg2001615.html#msg2001615

As far as personal first aid kits I have 2 versions.  One is a simple "boo boo kit" and the other is when I'm out for the day. 

Not a lot of difference between the two but there is some.  The smaller one can be easily put into pocket and not thought about until needed.  The larger in the red pouch is best put into bag.  I'll carry a bag when I'm gong to be out for a little longer like amusement park, museum, thrift store hunting, fleamarket, or similar.

I ave used items in my first aid kits for sure.  It all began when I became a father.  I continued carrying one since.  I've handed out gauze and bandaids many times.  I've used the the sewing kit a few times, and the wet ones more than occasionally.     

[MadPlumbarian]

Idk how many fak I have, but they all change in size, I’m not going to go through all of them or I’m going to be here all day, but this is my ultimate mini of mini, I took one of those pic holders from out of wallets, put two diff size bandaids and alcohol wipes, all fit together the size of a credit card, and yes these have come in handy a couple time, the best thing is you forget about them since you just put them in your wallet,
JR

Here’s another little cute one I painted a while back,

[Gerhard Gerber]

Mine started with anti histamine because I'm allergic to a certain local wasp.

For my first long distance hike I put together a more complete FAK.

The kit addresses a few basic issues, firstly anything to do with the digestive track, starting & stopping both ends etc etc

Allergies, basically the pills and a cream.

Cold/Flu/pain medication

Blisters, burns, etc.

I've used it many times over the last 3 years, it goes along on all hiking / fishing / camping trips.

[Looti Tlum]

Awesome! It's great to see what people consider there essentials. I think there should be a pretty dedicated and updated FAK thread, it's something that can be as important as a multitool, if not more so.

We could also fine tune lists and make recommendations based on the size of the kit.

For light carry I have bandages, antiseptic wipes, a mini sewing kit and a bandana or something that can be used as cloth for a wound or as a sling.

[Aloha]

I believe there are many 1st aid kit threads.  I'll try to find a few links for you. 

[spudley112]

More often than not, this is my first aid kit:

[MadPlumbarian]

More often than not, this is my first aid kit:

(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

Electrical tape comes in handy also, I was on a job site up on a scissor lift and I sliced my finger, I ended up ripping a piece of my sleeve wrapping it, then just covering it with electrical tape,
JR

[Sos24]

In my edc pocket organizer, I have a small ziploc bag with:
- steri-strips
- 2x2 gauze
- a couple band-aids
- 2 iodine wipe
- blister cover
- small vial (3ml) benadryl gel
- some otc meds (benadryl, pepto, goody powder, pseudoephedrine

I also frequently have on me or in a bag a mini trauma pack of tourniquet, emergency trauma dressing and hemostatic gauze.

As far as whether I have used it, I have used every item in the ziploc bag at least once while away from home and other first aid kit.  I’ve never had to use the trauma kit since I have been carrying it.  I have been in a couple situations where the trauma dressing and hemostatic gauze could have been used if I had them on me.

[comis]

In my edc pocket organizer, I have a small ziploc bag with:
- steri-strips
- 2x2 gauze
- a couple band-aids
- 2 iodine wipe
- blister cover
- small vial (3ml) benadryl gel
- some otc meds (benadryl, pepto, goody powder, pseudoephedrine

I also frequently have on me or in a bag a mini trauma pack of tourniquet, emergency trauma dressing and hemostatic gauze.

As far as whether I have used it, I have used every item in the ziploc bag at least once while away from home and other first aid kit.  I’ve never had to use the trauma kit since I have been carrying it.  I have been in a couple situations where the trauma dressing and hemostatic gauze could have been used if I had them on me.

Solid kit!    I like the trauma kit part, especially if gun is part of the EDC(I would recommend it, even if it is not). 


It has proven civilian carried tourniquet does safe lives, and when you do need one, you need like it was from yesterday.

[Sos24]

Solid kit!    I like the trauma kit part, especially if gun is part of the EDC(I would recommend it, even if it is not). 


It has proven civilian carried tourniquet does safe lives, and when you do need one, you need like it was from yesterday.

I agree.  I think some people only see the unlikelihood of needing it.  Those couple items could be the difference between life and death in the rare case of a shooting, but also a bigger possible car accident or fall.  My kit is just basic but that is so it is small enough I’ll actually carry it.  The left one fits in a cargo pocket and the right one can fasten to a belt for when I do not have a cargo pocket.  The pocket organizer with other first aid items goes in the other cargo pocket or can go on belt.

[Aloha]

Nice kits.   

[comis]

I agree.  I think some people only see the unlikelihood of needing it.  Those couple items could be the difference between life and death in the rare case of a shooting, but also a bigger possible car accident or fall.  My kit is just basic but that is so it is small enough I’ll actually carry it.  The left one fits in a cargo pocket and the right one can fasten to a belt for when I do not have a cargo pocket.  The pocket organizer with other first aid items goes in the other cargo pocket or can go on belt.
(Image removed from quote.)

Thanks for the photo, fantastic setup.  May you never need to use it, but use it well if you ever do!

[Sos24]

Thanks Aloha and Comis. 

[Rapidray]

I agree.  I think some people only see the unlikelihood of needing it.  Those couple items could be the difference between life and death in the rare case of a shooting, but also a bigger possible car accident or fall.  My kit is just basic but that is so it is small enough I’ll actually carry it.  The left one fits in a cargo pocket and the right one can fasten to a belt for when I do not have a cargo pocket.  The pocket organizer with other first aid items goes in the other cargo pocket or can go on belt.
(Image removed from quote.)

Well this is weird...was looking at a magazine today when shopping for groceries and there was a section devoted  to tourniquets and this one looks like one of the four they were reviewing!

[charlie fox]

This one gets a lot of cargo pocket time; Rescue Essentials Plainclothes Kit. I’ve added some extra bandaids and single serve meds...

[Sos24]

Well this is weird...was looking at a magazine today when shopping for groceries and there was a section devoted  to tourniquets and this one looks like one of the four they were reviewing!

That is weird, although almost any article on tourniquets will mention the CAT (which is what I have).  It is one of only six (until recently was only two) recommended by the Committee on Tactical Casualty Combat Care (CoTCCC) and probably the most well known. 

[comis]

This one gets a lot of cargo pocket time; Rescue Essentials Plainclothes Kit. I’ve added some extra bandaids and single serve meds...

Great kit!  I like the inclusion of nose hose, and SWAT-T is good stuff too.  I genuinely like Rescue Essentials offering, felt solid.

[comis]

That is weird, although almost any article on tourniquets will mention the CAT (which is what I have).  It is one of only six (until recently was only two) recommended by the Committee on Tactical Casualty Combat Care (CoTCCC) and probably the most well known. 

I'd read about CoTCCC accepted tourniquet, and I too would think those 'battle proven' designs should be suffice for my own first aid use(I mean I wouldn't know any better anyway). 


Personally, I would think the most important thing is whether the parts are well made and could easily be applied by one hand(especially when in shooting scenario).  I've been told that Amazon is known to sell fake CAT, so please do beware and maybe get one from reliable sources.

[Sos24]

I'd read about CoTCCC accepted tourniquet, and I too would think those 'battle proven' designs should be suffice for my own first aid use(I mean I wouldn't know any better anyway). 


Personally, I would think the most important thing is whether the parts are well made and could easily be applied by one hand(especially when in shooting scenario).  I've been told that Amazon is known to sell fake CAT, so please do beware and maybe get one from reliable sources.

I buy my CAT from the authorized distributor.

[comis]

I buy my CAT from the authorized distributor.

[Rapidray]

That is weird, although almost any article on tourniquets will mention the CAT (which is what I have).  It is one of only six (until recently was only two) recommended by the Committee on Tactical Casualty Combat Care (CoTCCC) and probably the most well known.

The only reason I picked the mag up was because it had an EMT first responder with a sub machine gun. It was said to replace the MP5. Thats when I saw the tourniquet article.

[Rapidray]

I buy my CAT from the authorized distributor.

Excellent 

[Sos24]

The only reason I picked the mag up was because it had an EMT first responder with a sub machine gun. It was said to replace the MP5. Thats when I saw the tourniquet article.

Sounds like it would have attracted my attention too.

[derek_d]

The idea is to have at least something rather than nothing with me. I guess the main part of First Aid kit planning is a consideration of what you will meet, and what you can handle. Minor trauma, abrasions, insect bites/stings, ticks - are the most common.
So I have 1 x crepe Bandage, 1 x medium wound dressing and 2 x pairs of gloves, sewing needle, nylon line, about 10 aspirin tabs and one small sample pack of neosporin. Gladly never needed anything else, all packed in waterproof case. 

[Alan K.]

All well thought out kits. I don't pocket carry but I always have a kit in my EDC bags and I have bigger kits for the longer I'll be out or the farther I will be away.  Mostly minor wound care like everyone else has mentioned, but I also keep a tube of Anbisol Toothache Pain Relieving Gel in my kit at all times. For some reason toothaches always seem to happen late at night or on weekends when you can't see a dentist.   I don't have bad teeth, but I only needed one toothache that one time to know this stuff is golden.

[spudley112]

Boatloads of painkillers
Cyanide tablets if the pain gets too bad
1 Scooby Doo band-aid

[ElevenBlade]

I have mine in an 8x6x4 pouch, its a bit large and goes in my backpack when I'm outdoors.

Contents (aside from bandaids and other obvious things)
hemostatic gauze
tweezers
small plastic container of saline solution
moleskin for blisters
a CPR mask

What I dont have but have considered:
a nasal airway (I didnt get one because I dont plan to carry the sort of mask that goes over the nose and mouth)
a tourniquet (its expensive)   

[Scorpion Regent]

Spudley mentioned duct tape and I would agree, it's not traditional, but it can really make a difference for first aid.   
Along those same lines Superglue is invaluable for first aid.   

[ElevenBlade]

Spudley mentioned duct tape and I would agree, it's not traditional, but it can really make a difference for first aid.   
Along those same lines Superglue is invaluable for first aid.

 

In my first aid kit I actually keep electrical tape instead of duct tape - The roll takes up less room in the bag that I have, and I assume its somewhat waterproof.