First Aid Kit -- gimme your top 5

[Schneb]

Hard to answer because of what the booboo kit vs. FAK answer up thread gets at--there's the everyday needs, then there's the GSW/mauled by a bear/happened on a hwy accident needs.

But also, what about the SHTF+2 or 3 wks, when people have used the water in their toilets and water heaters and gotten a bit sloppy with sanitation and dysentery and bad food and such start to rear their ugly head(s).

Even if you're in a safe location, you'll probably encounter folks who're are suffering from such and need to prevent spread of whatever they've got and, hopefully, help them through as much as possible.

And there's different needs for winter vs. summer (at least, here in Michigan).

And are you thinking of stabilizing and transporting to a facility or that you're fully on your own, long-term?

And with particular medical situations in a family/group, there's be further specialized items to add to the top 5--or if there are kids or not.

BUT that said, I'd go with general categories of:

• (clean) bandaging material
• disinfectant/first aid ointment
• pain relief/fever reducer
• duct tape of first aid tape--can improvise a lot of things with that and other items: splints, blister care, etc.
  last place is a tie: either a first aid guide or oral rehydration salts

[Morgan101]

All great lists. You can make a case for every one. It's hard to add anything new.

My five would be: Bandages; Hydrogen Peroxide; Aspirin; Tape (white athletic or duct); Super Glue.

[lam1317]

I saw that. They had i think ten cases of dt they made everything including a boat.A lot of ideas for dt.

[fearpink]

5 most used items?
Gauze wrap, neosporin, tylenol/motrin, needle and thread

5 items you would throw in your BOB if you were in a big hurry?
Quick clot, Gauze wrap, duct tape, peroxide, needle and thread

5 items you consider the most crucial, even if you might never use them?
DUCT TAPE, DUCT TAPE, DUCT TAPE, DUCT TAPE, AND GAUZE. ;)

[blkhawk21]

1. Quick clot
2. Trama bandage,Israeli type
3. Vet wrap/webril
4. Tourniquet
5. Sam splint

[RICHFL]

I just reviewed this thread. NO one mentioned "DUCK TAPE"!

Watch Myth Busters this month, you will see them survive on an inland with nothing but duck tape for use. The made a shelter, rope, weapons, clothing just from using local resources and duck tape! Even made a watercraft to get away from the island in the end.

[lalakai]

large triangular wrap
tape (duct tape or heavy medical tape)
hemcon bandages Hemcon
neosporin
tweezers
pain relief (aspiran, tylenol, ect)

[full on]

what type of antibiotics and pain meds

[full on]

the top lifesavers
compression dressing
duct tape
chest decompression needle or pen
airway
epi pen
tourniquet
These
items will keep you from leaking,airway open and heart beating
not comfort items but critical to staying
see what the men who live and die in the field carry
any suggestions or mods would be greatly appreciated

[Bue]

Tape "lots of tape" Butter fly bandaids. White vinagar for disinfecting

[Johnny73]

1) CAT tournaquet
2) SAM split
3) 4 inch bandage, gauze roll
4) HEMP-CON Bandage
5) 5 Oxycodone pills left over from my shoulder surgery

[RICHFL]

Had a situation last year where I could have used a trauma kit. traffic accident. In the end both guys died.

1. latex gloves
2. Blood clogging spray or powder for open wounds Yes they make it for use in a spray can now!!
3. military type dressings
4. ab pads 12" x 30"
5. gauze 4" x 100'

In other words a complete trauma kit

Remember this you can bleed out in under a minute; but can live for over 5 minutes by not breathing

Step one: Check for major bleeding
a. Stop it asap!
b. Use direct pressure while wrapping with dressings

Step two: Check for breathing/pulse
a. Use watch and count number for 10 sec. then x 6 will give you beats per minute.
b. Use CPR if necessary 15 pumps on chest to 2 breaths in Adult

Step Three: Treat for shock (The big killer of them all)
a. If possible raise feet above head (No head wounds)
b. Keep still and warm
c. Clear liquids only

Step Four: Treat for additional problems,
a. Look for additional wounds, broken bones, concussion, etc.
b. Treat until help arrives or transport is ready to go

[dakotasdad]

Six not five:

A syringe for irrigation
Bandanna/Shemagh
Duct tape
superglue
OTC pain med
bandaids

[ColoradoMike]

Quick clot
Super glue
Duct tape
roll gauze
safety pins

[Iron mike]

1.Quick clot dressing
2. super glue
3. excedrine
4. band aids multi pack
5. first aid ointment