Blue Ridge Chair Works
Supporting Sonsor
What are your thoughts on first aid kits? Obviously they're necessary, but do y'all like to put one together yourself out of your favorite items, or buy a pre-packed one from someone like SOL? Pros/Cons?
Medical/First Aid Choices?
- Thread starter Blue Ridge Chair Works
- Start date
Yes.
I used to have an Adventure Medical Kits pre-built one that I supplemented with some items I thought it needed (real CPR mask, etc.) but that was destroyed by some water damage.
I now have a durable waterproof case that I stocked with a smaller pre-built kit and then supplemented.
Pros to the pre-built kits:
Easy
Can get a lot of stuff in a good one
Tend to have small quantities of items rather than having to buy a full box of {whatever} and really only needing 2-3 of them.
Can be price effective
Cons to the pre-built kits:
Get a lot of stuff you may already have or don't need
Tools/etc in the kits are generally poor quality
May not have enough of some things you want
May not have room for extras
Must be wary of expiration dates for meds
Pros to building it yourself:
Control...
(If you have good first aid knowledge) You get only what you will need and may use
Can get higher quality gear
Cons to pre-built kits:
Can be more expensive
Potentially lots of time and effort to decide and then get what you want, especially in reasonable quantities
I used to have an Adventure Medical Kits pre-built one that I supplemented with some items I thought it needed (real CPR mask, etc.) but that was destroyed by some water damage.
I now have a durable waterproof case that I stocked with a smaller pre-built kit and then supplemented.
Pros to the pre-built kits:
Easy
Can get a lot of stuff in a good one
Tend to have small quantities of items rather than having to buy a full box of {whatever} and really only needing 2-3 of them.
Can be price effective
Cons to the pre-built kits:
Get a lot of stuff you may already have or don't need
Tools/etc in the kits are generally poor quality
May not have enough of some things you want
May not have room for extras
Must be wary of expiration dates for meds
Pros to building it yourself:
Control...
(If you have good first aid knowledge) You get only what you will need and may use
Can get higher quality gear
Cons to pre-built kits:
Can be more expensive
Potentially lots of time and effort to decide and then get what you want, especially in reasonable quantities
For most folks, the Adventure Medical kits, with some suplimentation as noted by Dazrin are all you really need, and usually can be set up to provide first aid in all but the most dire of circumstances.
I have supplemented my Adventure Medical kit heavily with items from Israeli First Aid, sellers of some of the most advanced tourniquets, coagulants, bandages and splints around.
But if money was no object, I'd be using a Remote Medical International kit, which are very expensive, but also offer something almost resembling a portable operating room.
https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/
http://www.israelifirstaid.com/
http://www.remotemedical.com/RMI-Equipment-Supply/Kits
Also, although it's kind of buried as a sub-forum, there is a First Aid section here on the Portal with some great information in it:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/102-Overland-Medicine-and-Health
Equally important as the actual equipment is knowing what to do with it. This book is the very best of the bunch - specifically as it relates to rendering first aid in the great outdoors, away from the benefit of a doctor or medical facility:
http://www.amazon.com/Medicine-Outd..._UL160_SR107,160_&refRID=0NH6DQRAQCV6GNBT9HHA
I have supplemented my Adventure Medical kit heavily with items from Israeli First Aid, sellers of some of the most advanced tourniquets, coagulants, bandages and splints around.
But if money was no object, I'd be using a Remote Medical International kit, which are very expensive, but also offer something almost resembling a portable operating room.
https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/
http://www.israelifirstaid.com/
http://www.remotemedical.com/RMI-Equipment-Supply/Kits
Also, although it's kind of buried as a sub-forum, there is a First Aid section here on the Portal with some great information in it:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/102-Overland-Medicine-and-Health
Equally important as the actual equipment is knowing what to do with it. This book is the very best of the bunch - specifically as it relates to rendering first aid in the great outdoors, away from the benefit of a doctor or medical facility:
http://www.amazon.com/Medicine-Outd..._UL160_SR107,160_&refRID=0NH6DQRAQCV6GNBT9HHA
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tarditi
Explorer
Another endorsement of AMK - I, too, supplement - you need stuff based on your planned activity as well as the skill level of your party. Some medical items can be harmful if improperly used, and you simply cannot plan for every contingency.
If you haven't already, get some formal training like Wilderness First Aid and then evaluate your needs.
If you haven't already, get some formal training like Wilderness First Aid and then evaluate your needs.
Ripper
Adventurer
Build a kit, and only build it within your scope of training and level of skill competency!
Buying a kit that has gear that you don't know how to properly use, or aren't proficient with can kill someone who is already in need of medical attention. If they expire because you tried to perform an intervention that you aren't trained or proficient in, it your fault and your fault alone.
The best piece of kit, is between your ears. Education is important, but nothing can replace experience. Get proper training and become proficient at your skill set.
If you fail to train, you train to fail.
Buying a kit that has gear that you don't know how to properly use, or aren't proficient with can kill someone who is already in need of medical attention. If they expire because you tried to perform an intervention that you aren't trained or proficient in, it your fault and your fault alone.
The best piece of kit, is between your ears. Education is important, but nothing can replace experience. Get proper training and become proficient at your skill set.
If you fail to train, you train to fail.
fredgoodsell
Adventurer
Same. It's magic I swear...
ramatl73
Observer
AMK is the way to go. Their UL kits are solid. We have a .5UL in every vehicle for general purpose usage. This is what we use for travel/outdoor/extended trips. All are augmented/cycled with meds - Aleve, Advil, Cough drops, etc. Its the Professional UL/Watertight. Basically a UL .9 with extras.
I actually called AMK and asked for the Pro UL bag since I already had a .9UL kit along with the extras that come in the pre-built kit (CPR mask, SAM splint, survival blanket, EMT shears). They sent it to me at no charge. This kit provides a little flexibility if you need a smaller kit you can pull the .9UL out for hikes, etc.
For $120, it's hard to beat.
I actually called AMK and asked for the Pro UL bag since I already had a .9UL kit along with the extras that come in the pre-built kit (CPR mask, SAM splint, survival blanket, EMT shears). They sent it to me at no charge. This kit provides a little flexibility if you need a smaller kit you can pull the .9UL out for hikes, etc.
For $120, it's hard to beat.
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But there's no 911 to call when you're out at Toroweep, you have to dress and treat that wound (or whatever else is "wrong") yourself.
I don't mind carrying first aid equipment I've never used before, but have done enough research to indeed know how they're intended to be used.
I've never had need to, nor have I ever practiced putting Celox crystals into an open wound, but I still carry a few different applications of Celox in my overland kit should such an occurrence ever arise.
I don't mind carrying first aid equipment I've never used before, but have done enough research to indeed know how they're intended to be used.
I've never had need to, nor have I ever practiced putting Celox crystals into an open wound, but I still carry a few different applications of Celox in my overland kit should such an occurrence ever arise.
My 2 cents:
Buy your own water tight box & make your own. IMHO, the majority of pre-made kits have a LOT of stuff you won't need/use. You end up with higher quality gear & a better kit in the end.
Things i have never seen in pre-made Kits, that I use all the time in my family:
Waterproof band-aids
eye flush cup
high quality tweezers
mole skin
waterproof tape
high quality snake bite kit---never used & hope i never have to.
high quality finger nail clippers
waterproof matches/lighter/fire starter & dry storage container for them
poison ivy oil remover & treatment
blood clot
For my home kit, i bought the largest R-maid food container at w-mart & filled it myself. It has saved the day many, many times. A couple things, every time you go there & before long you have a custom made, real world first aid kit. Sometimes, it is wise to put things in there that you have never used & don't know how to use because someone else may know how to use it & that may save a life.
Buy your own water tight box & make your own. IMHO, the majority of pre-made kits have a LOT of stuff you won't need/use. You end up with higher quality gear & a better kit in the end.
Things i have never seen in pre-made Kits, that I use all the time in my family:
Waterproof band-aids
eye flush cup
high quality tweezers
mole skin
waterproof tape
high quality snake bite kit---never used & hope i never have to.
high quality finger nail clippers
waterproof matches/lighter/fire starter & dry storage container for them
poison ivy oil remover & treatment
blood clot
For my home kit, i bought the largest R-maid food container at w-mart & filled it myself. It has saved the day many, many times. A couple things, every time you go there & before long you have a custom made, real world first aid kit. Sometimes, it is wise to put things in there that you have never used & don't know how to use because someone else may know how to use it & that may save a life.