First Aid Kits

First Aid kits.

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You drop by any website that deals with prepping, self sufficiency etc and you will find 53 threads on a first aid kit.

What makes the BEST kit?

One lists their blow out kit as
1 – Israeli Bandage 4″

  • 2 – Pair Black Nitrile Glove
  • 1 – Compress Gauze 4.5″ x 4 YDS
  • 2 – ABD Pads 5″ x 9″
  • 1 – CAT Tourniquet
  • 1 – Nasopharyngeal Airway (28FR)
  • 1 – Lubricant
  • 1 – EMT Shears 7 1/4″
  • 1 – Roll of Tape 1″ x 10 YDS

Cool kit, and it has some really useful stuff. But what if you need a bit more?

There is this guy

MEDICAL INFORMATION
(1) Rapid 1st Responder Guide

PERSONAL PROTECTION

(1) Biohazard Waste Bag
(1) Rescue Mask, Soft Case
(2) Hand Sanitizer, 1 oz.
(4) Emergency/Survival Blanket
(6) Personal Antimicrobial Wipe
(6) Respirator Mask
(8) Nitrile Glove

BLEEDING

(1) Ratcheting Medical Tourniquet, Red
(1) SWAT-T Tourniquet
(2) QuikClot, 25 g
(4) Compressed Gauze
(4) Trauma Bandage, 4″
CHEST / AIRWAY
(1) Bolin Chest Seal
(1) Compact Wound Seal
(1) Nasopharyngeal Airway w/Lube, 28 Fr
(1) Oral Airway Set
(1) Pocket BVM
INSTRUMENTS(1) Catheter Tip, 18G
(1) Digital Thermometer
(1) EMT Shears, 7.25″
(1) Irrigation Syringe, 20 mL, Luer Lock Tip
(1) Scalpel, Sterile, #11
(1) Tweezers
(3) Safety Pins, 2″
(1) Blood Pressure Kit
(1) Disposable Penlight
(1) Stethoscope, Sprague
(1) Flat Duct Tape, 1.89″ x 2 yd.
WOUND / BLISTER / BURN
(12) Alcohol Prep Pad
(1) CoFlex LF2, 3″ x 5 yd.
(6) Trauma Pad, 5″ x 9″
(1) Burn Dressing, 4″ x 16″
(1) Burn Dressing, 4″ x 4″
(6) Burn Jel, 3.5 g
(1) Cloth Tape, 2″ x 10 yd.
(10) Non-Adherent Dressing, 3″ x 4″
(10) Sterile Gauze Pad, 4″ x 4″
(12) Antiseptic Towelettes
(2) 30 Band-Aid, 6 Knuckle, 6 Moleskin
(2) Benzoin Swabsticks
(2) Oval Eye Pad
(2) Povidone-Iodine, 22 mL
(2) Stretch Gauze, 3″ x 4.1 yd.
(2) Wound Closure Strips, 0.25″ x 4″
(4) Petroleum Gauze, 3″ x 9″
(6) Cotton-Tipped Applicator, 6″
IMMOBILIZATION
(1) Disposable Cold Pack
(1) Disposable Heat Pack
(1) Elastic Bandage Wrap, 4″ x 4.5 yd.
(1) Elastic Bandage Wrap, 6″ x 4.5 yd.
(1) Extrication Collar
(1) Splint, Orange, 4.25 “x 36”
(2) Triangular Bandage
MEDICATION
(1) Actidose-Aqua Activated Charcoal
(1) Eye Wash, 4 oz.
(2) Glucose, 15 g
(18) Acetaminophen, 2/pk (Analgesic)
(18) Aspirin, 2/pk (Analgesic)
(18) Diamode, 1/pk (Anti-diarrheal)
(18) Diotame, 2/pk (Stomach)
(18) Diphen, 1/pk (Antihistamine)
(18) Ibuprofen, 2/pk (Anti-inflammatory)
(6) Hydrocortisone 1% Creme, 1.5 g
(6) Triple Antibiotic Ointment, 0.9 g
(4) Hydration Powder
(4) Oral Rehydration Salts
(1) Insect Bite Treatment
OTHER
(1) TMM-DE, Dental Module:(1) Instructions
(1) Biohazard Waste Bag
(2) Nitrile Glove, LG
(2) Nitrile Glove, MD
(1) Actcel Hemostatic Gauze, 2” x 2”
(25) Cotton Pellet
(3) Sterile Gauze Pad, 3” x 3”
(5) Cotton Roll
(1) Clove Oil, 1/8 oz.
(1) Dentemp
(3) Oral Pain Relief, 0.75 g
(1) Dental Floss, 12 yd.
(1) Mouth Mirror
(1) Spatula
(1) Tweezers
(1) Wax Utility Square Rope
(4) Plackers Flossers

And it has LOTS of stuff in it. And it is a well thought out general kit. But who is going to carry it?

And if you want to see what a Army Combat Medic carries here is a link to the suggested M5 Medic kit of my generation

M5 load list

 

But really a first aid kit does not have to be complex exercise. The thing about them is to have mission specific kits.

1 General basic first aid kit. One that is the go to carry all the time . This does not need to be fancy, just some basic things to handle minor injuries insect bites cuts scrapes etc. Look to the Boy Scouts. For years we have had all scouts make their own kits.

  • 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
  • 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
  • 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
  • 5 antiseptic wipe packets
  • Space Blanket
  • 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
  • Scissors
  • 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
  • 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
  • 5 4×4 gauze pads 2 pack
  • 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches))
  • 2 triangular bandages
  • Tweezers
  • Safety Pins
  • Coflex 1 roll
  • Super Glue Gell type (THE GOOD STUFF)

If you need or want medications this is a good starting point

  • Acetaminophen 8 tabs
  • Ibuprofen 8 tabs
  • Bernadry 25 mg tabs 8 each
  • Imodioum 8 tabs
  • Dramamine 8 tabs
  • Tums 16 tabs
  • Aspriin 325 mg 8 tabs 81 mg 8 tab
  • 1 gram hydrocortizone packs 4 each
  • Neosporin 4 1 gram packs
  • Activated Charcoal 4 ounces

2. Trauma first aid kit.

This is getting now toward moderate to major trauma. IE Holes were they do not belong, parts that are missing or about to become missing. Even this kit does not need to be huge

This kit for example runs 99 bucks, but the average prepper can make it for about half amount and on the Medic Shack Web page I’ll post the links to the individual parts via Amazon.

1 – Israeli Bandage 4″

  • 2 – Pair Black Nitrile Glove
  • 1 – Compress Gauze 4.5″ x 4 YDS
  • 2 – ABD Pads 5″ x 9″
  • 1 – CAT Tourniquet
  • 1 – Nasopharyngeal Airway (28FR)
  • 1 – Lubricant
  • 1 – EMT Shears 7 1/4″
  • 1 – Roll of Tape 1″ x 10 YDS

The general idea is to have the right stuff for what your intend to be in. A general kit and a blow out kit will each fit in to a M16 Ammo pouch. That way they are ALWAYS attached to your gear belt. Then general kit is a tight squeeze into a M16 Ammo pouch but it will fit. My trauma kit is vac sealed in its own.

My my kit is similar to the store bought one but I have added

  • 1 – HALO Chest seal
  • My own Quick Clot
  • Oralpharyngeal airways
  • 5 tampons (Unscented.) (I made the mistake once on calling them unflavored on the air and Cat NEVER let me forget about it)
  • Kelly clamps
  • BP Cuff and disposable stethoscope
  • Post Partum OB Pads
  • I carry the SOF tourniquet instead of the CAT Its my personal fav.
  • I like the H bandage better than the Israeli but again that is personal preference.
  • Vaseline and Saran Wrap
  • SAM Splint
  • Super Glue

As you can see my kit is a bit larger and it wont fit in the M16 pouch but its in its own butt pack that is attached to m web belt

Lets talk about Herbal first aid.

I teach a mix of herbal trauma Combat medic emergency first aid. So it would do justice for me to leave out the herbal part.

With in the next few days I’ll be offering Herbal kits to complement you basic first aid kit Items included will be herbal alternatives to modern mess for :

*Cuts and scrapes

*Insect bites.

*Upset stomach

*Rashes

* Diarrhea

* Muscle aches strains and sprains

*Cold Flu AND sore throat.

*Minor pain medications

*And Activated Charcoal

*Allergy control.

Being sustainable and self sufficient is very important. The neosporin may run out the Benadryl may run out. But everything in the Herbal First Aid kit is self replacing.

I want to apologize for the lateness of the news letter. As my friends, readers subscribers know I lost my job 2 weeks ago and a lot of time has been spent on finding a new one. There is light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully gainful employment will commence soon!

Some NEW additions have been added to the Medic Shack! I am going to be working with a herb store in Cedar Crest NM The Village Apothocary She hasn’t got a web page yet but here is her address 12220 NM-14, Cedar Crest, NM 87008 (505) 286-5794. Go in and see Melody, she is a certified herbalist and from talking to her she is like my friend Cat Ellis of The Herbal Prepper in that she truly cares more about helping than making a fortune from people.

Classes. I want to thank Chili Hills in Edgewood for offering me a place to teach. Check them out and stop in grab a bite (The Pub Burger is AWESOME) and say HEY to Steven. They are at #5 NM-344, Edgewood, NM 87015 (505) 286-9202

So We are redoing our classes and with the help of Melody at the Village Apothecary and Steve at Chili Hills look out for some new and exciting offerings.

October 22 We had scheduled a wound care class, but I am going to replace it with a Herbal Medicine class. I want to get folks trained up on herbal medicine, because I have a plan to place herbal trained first responders (Shh its a SECRET still!) in the community to assist when or if there is trouble.

Sign up on the Medic Shack Page

Intro to Herbal Medicine

Class date is October 22nd 8am to 3pm This class is priced at $75.00 at Chili Hills #5 NM-344, Edgewood, NM 87015

The Medic Shack is here to stay! And I want to thank all who support us.

 

 

The Medic Shack uses Amazon for most of my shopping needs. For Bulk herbs I use StarWest Botanicals Monthly Specials at Starwest Botanicals

 

Next week We will return to our discussion on Medicinal Plants of the Southwest

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