Basic first aid kit

[SpeedNeed]

I suggest carrying an EpiPen. That requires a prescription, but just tell doctor it’s for your kit…. Also, Benadryl. A small tube of Cortizone cream.

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[RdFx21]

I have several of these kits:

https://www.refugemedical.com/

 

[Newlife]

Number one thing you can add to any “kit” is training. Just because you have a chest vent or airway kit doesn’t mean you have any business using it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone buy a “Kit” and is completely oblivious to how to properly use something. That being said we have multiple kits in our JT and 4Runner. Both have a full out trauma kit and then we have boo boo kits stashed all over. We also keep at minimum two tourniquets in each vehicle. One is a quick grab near the footwell or cage and one is under seat storage or in the trauma kit. But again everything in our “kits” we’ve both taken extensive training whether from law enforcement, emergency rescue, or time spent in hospital and trauma centers training.

 

[PlayfulBird]

Number one thing you can add to any “kit” is training.
... how many times I’ve seen someone buy a “Kit” and is completely oblivious to how to properly use something

100% agree,

but... there is always a chance that if you have something you don't know how to use with you (as long as you can admit to yourself you have no business trying to use it) someone else in the emergency situation is a vet, first responder or doctor that knows how to use it, but does not have a kit or a specific item with them, or ran out, that can now still save a life.

Know and admit your limits and learn how to use your gear. Also know what you have with you, and location in the kit. Sucks if you needed something and can't find it, or a responder asks if you have XYZ and you waste time or forgot you did actually carry it.

 

[RdFx21]

Very good points.

I'll just kindly add the quote of the ole adage to compliment your thoughts: "better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it."

 

[JWM PLAYS]

Not sure where to post this.
I am wandering what type of things you include in your onboard first aid kit. I’m constructing a small kit that would include items to care for ouchies and comfort items to broken bones and gunshot wounds. Not an entire emergency room but enough to stabilize a medical emergency until patient can get to a medical facility or until a higher medical authority can takeover…

Based on the specifics you gave, specifically as it relates to gunshots, you're going to want tourniquets, chest seals and hemostatic gauze. Pressure bandages such as the Israeli bandage are highly recommended as well. I also highly recommend taking a Stop the Bleed class. It will teach you how to use these specific items to save a life from an otherwise very survivable injury were it not for uncontrolled bleeding.

 

[dcmdon]

Making your own kit is definitely the way to go. Commercial kits have a ton of stuff that you won't ever need or are outright useless.

I've put together several kits and have found that the best place to start is by defining what you want out of it. For example, the one in my wife's car is biased towards managing stuff that happens day to day. It includes.

1) a ziplock bag with Advil, Naproxen, Tylenol, Tums, Acid blocker
2) first aid ointment
3) hydrocortisone cream
4) fabric bandaids in useful sizes. (mostly large)
5) gauze cling wrap
6) small packets of powdered stop bleed
7) tiny CR2032 based headlamp
8) 6 ft or so of toilet paper vac packed so it takes up very little space.
9) small bottle with a couple of ounces of Everclear grain alcohol. I use this rather than isopropyl because it can be used as a disinfectant, a degreaser solvent, a fire starter, and diluted and drunk if you need to calm someone down.
10) Leukatape - like first aid tape on steroids.
11) Nitrile gloves
12) 2x3 gauze pads

And that's about it. The entire thing is in a 1 qt ziplock freezer bag, so its pretty tough and you can find what's inside easily because the bag is clear.

One thing to remember is that the combination of ibuprofen or naproxen and Tylenol has proven to be a very very effective pain medication.

In my Jeep, my kit includes everything above but adds

1) tongue depressor sticks for a splint
2) quick clot
3) tourniquet
4) cold pack
5) Protein bar
6) 275 Paracord
7) extra gauze pads
8) Water bottle

 

[Northridge4x4]

Thats a myth. Short answer is to keep their heart rate down and haul ass to the hospital.

In fact you're making things WORSE by applying it.

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000031.htm#:~:text=DO NOT apply a tourniquet,compresses to a snake bite

https://www.snakebitefoundation.org/blog/2018/9/6/how-to-survive-a-snakebite-in-the-wilderness

Great tips on snake bite first aid, thanks for posting @BLK HOLE!

Making your own kit is definitely the way to go. Commercial kits have a ton of stuff that you won't ever need or are outright useless.

I've put together several kits and have found that the best place to start is by defining what you want out of it. For example, the one in my wife's car is biased towards managing stuff that happens day to day. It includes.

1) a ziplock bag with Advil, Naproxen, Tylenol, Tums, Acid blocker
2) first aid ointment
3) hydrocortisone cream
4) fabric bandaids in useful sizes. (mostly large)
5) gauze cling wrap
6) small packets of powdered stop bleed
7) tiny CR2032 based headlamp
8) 6 ft or so of toilet paper vac packed so it takes up very little space.
9) small bottle with a couple of ounces of Everclear grain alcohol. I use this rather than isopropyl because it can be used as a disinfectant, a degreaser solvent, a fire starter, and diluted and drunk if you need to calm someone down.
10) Leukatape - like first aid tape on steroids.
11) Nitrile gloves
12) 2x3 gauze pads

And that's about it. The entire thing is in a 1 qt ziplock freezer bag, so its pretty tough and you can find what's inside easily because the bag is clear.

One thing to remember is that the combination of ibuprofen or naproxen and Tylenol has proven to be a very very effective pain medication.

In my Jeep, my kit includes everything above but adds

1) tongue depressor sticks for a splint
2) quick clot
3) tourniquet
4) cold pack
5) Protein bar
6) 275 Paracord
7) extra gauze pads
8) Water bottle

Great list for building your own kit. Thanks for posting @dcmdon.

For those looking to build their own First Aid kit, both Smittybilt and Steinjager offer bare (empty) first aid bags, so you can fill them with whatever you need:

Smittybilt First Aid Bag:
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/first-aid/769541-smittybilt-first-aid-kit-bag

Steinjager First Aid Bag:
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...-tactical-trauma-first-aid-kit-pouch-multicam

For those looking for a basic commercial built kit, Steinjager also offers a basic first aid kit:
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...r-molle-military-tactical-first-aid-kit-black

For a big selection of first aid kits, Outer Limits offer multiple different size kits and supplies to go in your kits, homemade or otherwise: https://www.northridge4x4.com/brand/outer-limit-supply

 

[dcmdon]

I've found that cheap Chinese knock offs on Amazon give me all I need.

The Smittybilt is most likely an expensive Chinese knockoff.

The one in my wife's car is built on this, which looks identical to the Smittybilt.

https://www.amazon.com/LIVANS-Tactical-Rip-Away-Military-Emergency/dp/B08R84C6WB

One last thing. When it comes to buying stuff for the kit, Walmart is your friend if you have one nearby. Its also helpful to make up several kits at once. Since often when you buy a box of bandaids (Bandaid brand only) you have enough for more than one kit.

I have a kit that I use hiking that is very stripped down for weight. If I use something I have to replenish it after a hike.

 

[PlayfulBird]

As to Chinese knockoffs, not for tourniquet pls
The feeling when it breaks when trying to put on a no name ... it stays with you

 

[Gvsukids]

With all of these large kits, it sounds like a trip to the mall must be pretty violent.

 

[JWM PLAYS]

Number one thing you can add to any “kit” is training. Just because you have a chest vent or airway kit doesn’t mean you have any business using it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone buy a “Kit” and is completely oblivious to how to properly use something. That being said we have multiple kits in our JT and 4Runner. Both have a full out trauma kit and then we have boo boo kits stashed all over. We also keep at minimum two tourniquets in each vehicle. One is a quick grab near the footwell or cage and one is under seat storage or in the trauma kit. But again everything in our “kits” we’ve both taken extensive training whether from law enforcement, emergency rescue, or time spent in hospital and trauma centers training.

Can't agree more with this one. I took an all day Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) class that trained far and above anything I've ever had before. In addition to the standard CPR and AED, it taught Stop the Bleed but from the standpoint of dealing with gunshots and stabbings. I plan to take it annually to stay refreshed. We had to apply TQ's, respond to various scenarios where blue guns were involved and practice packing wounds using a slab of beef inside a pair of denim pants with fake blood.

 

[PlayfulBird]

With all of these large kits, it sounds like a trip to the mall must be pretty violent.

have you ever been to the mall when them Prada shoes go on sale, hell yeah it is dangerous

 

[Alans17]

I’ve completed my orders, and now I’m just waiting for it all to arrive.

Mymedic has a Prevention kit on clearance for half off, and it has a relatively wide (if not deep) range of supplies so I ordered two of those. Then I supplemented with the Ready Med Pack which is a trio of med packs for bleeds, burns, and stings - perfect for the outdoorsy types. I also added a full sprain / fracture mod, a hydration mod, and a couple of blister mods. Lastly, I got a stand-alone airway med pack that I hope I never have to use. And then just a larger case with zippers and dividers to put it all in.

Grand total is right at $200. It’s won’t have as many multiples as some of the bigger kits, but it’s got a little bit of everything (including for heavy duty trauma) and I can always replenish as needed.

I never thought I’d spend this much on a kit, but it beats the alternative of not having it.

 

[PlayfulBird]

never thought I’d spend this much on a kit, but it beats the alternative

Absolutely and do post pictures please, mounting, quality of the kit etc...

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