Something for your First Aid Kits

[762X39]

Training beats toys in the med bag

It has been said before....get training first and then stock your bag.I renew my training every 2 to 3 years so that I am always current.It is interesting to see what has changed whenever I take my next course.
I stay current on my First Responder and Wilderness First Responder, happily not much happens between training sessions but you respond to an emergency how you trained. If you are not trained you are only a phone dailer and hopefully your satphone battery is charged (what ? no cel service where the SHTF).Don't mean to pee in anyones cornflakes but a well stocked bag has no value without someone that really knows how to use it.

 

[jh504]

Yes, the site may proclaim "no training required", they are in business and want to sell the product first and foremost.

I recommend that every back country traveller or "Overlander" take at LEAST a Basic First Aid class (to include CPR) or better yet, a Wilderness First Responder course.

If you have already been to a course and it has been a few years it is always good to update your knowledge by attending a refresher, technology and the science of medicine is ever changing so it's always good to know the "latest and greatest".

You can spend lots of money on the best first aid bag and all the high speed widgets but in a real emergency it will be your wits and your calm, cool demeanor that save the day. Training is worth every penny IMO.

Great thread, Tacodoc and 762x39 are right on the money. If you spend any amount of time in areas where medical care is a ways away, YOU will be the first response in an emergency. Clotting agents are great, but you need to be prepared. Here in NC you can take an EMT Basic class for $60. I dont know what the rest of the US looks like, but that would be the best $60 ever spent to add to your expedition. First responder courses are great too, and I would recommend it as a minimum.

 

[FlyingWen]

We are going to start selling the Celox packets within the next few months.
The company is in the process of moving their operations to the US from England and are not quite ready to distribute yet.

I think this would be a great "just in case" item to have with you... you know...just in case!

 

[teotwaki]

The building safety folks have been loading these into the medical cabinets in the break rooms. For smaller wounds

Distributed by Zee and made by Biolife in Florida

 

[kellymoe]

I'll have to add Celox to my kit. I keep a couple of large bags of normal saline and 16-18ga catheters for emergencies or sever dehydration. Celox seems a natural addition.

 

[IH8RDS]

Quick Clot is good and so are Israeli bandages. They have some pretty good tourniquets out there too. I have been trained on all three of these and I like the Israeli bandages best. I don't have one for my personal set, but it is on the list.

 

[sinuhexavier]

So getting away from the new fancy High Tech solutions, what about sugar or coffee grounds to stop bleeding on the smaller wounds?

 

[kellymoe]

So getting away from the new fancy High Tech solutions, what about sugar or coffee grounds to stop bleeding on the smaller wounds?

The Starbucks solution. Tasty!!!!

 

[sinuhexavier]

Seriously though, I've heard that it works... Thankfully I have yet to be in a position to have to try it.

 

[mountainpete]

So getting away from the new fancy High Tech solutions, what about sugar or coffee grounds to stop bleeding on the smaller wounds?

I've heard of this as well... also sugar and beer. But I have no idea of it's true.

 

[762X39]

Training,training,training....

For heavens sake...
Don't bring up sugar or coffee grounds as a lifesaving solution. Use direct pressure and get trained before you let someone die because of some wives tale.

 

[Dave Bennett]

So getting away from the new fancy High Tech solutions, what about sugar or coffee grounds to stop bleeding on the smaller wounds?

Not recommended.

There are better low tech options, like direct pressure and a trip to town ASAP.

 

[hochung]

So getting away from the new fancy High Tech solutions, what about sugar or coffee grounds to stop bleeding on the smaller wounds?

Wouldn't the sugar and caffeine just make you hyper?

I've heard of this as well... also sugar and beer. But I have no idea of it's true.

and drunk?

 

[Martyn]

Wouldn't the sugar and caffeine just make you hyper?



and drunk?

Be careful, you are describing 95% of the people on the forum

 

[MisfitToy]

tacodocs got it about right although I dont agree with the copsman manual about using it for chest wounds. and I sure wouldnt use any kind of clotting agent on a head or neck wound. Being a grunt with two combat tours and a current combat instructor for the marines I have seen what quick clot can do. usually people (like tacodoc said) think that it will do the work for you. Most never slow the bleeding much less soak as much blood up as possiable before appling products like quick clot.
We teach to never use it anywhere but extremities and as a last resort if a toruniqit fails. if you do use it and dont wipe the blood the heat and the way the product works most of the time that site cannot be repaired because of the damge to the nervs and arteries. some pressure gause and a stout tourniqit will be better off for everyone and a tourniqit can be left on for a pretty long time as long as a doc or someone with enough sense to not lossen it up all the way and send the victim into shock is pressent when it comes off the limb will be ok. (they can attach severed digits and limbs they can fix your leg if its repairable)
Also their is no blood piping big enough in the abdomen or head that cannot be stopped with pressure. if its a small puncture wound use a tampon and pressure.
Please dont use quick clot if you can some how someway get around it. ive seen people come back with amputations because of the damage it can wreck.


Please excuse the multiple spelling erorrs in my post like I said im Marine Infantry spelling isnt really my subject. if their was a little rant off smilie I could add I would. :mixed-smiley-030: