While I carry a trauma bag in all of my vehicles, I can't very well fit one in with my bug-out gear, so - like everyone else - I opt for the ever-insufficient, yet always handy little first-aid kit.
Unless you're a trained field tech, and plan on becoming a roving medic WTSHTF, you need to think "simple."
Your field kit should be capable of treating:
*minor burns...
*minor to moderate cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds...
*insect bites and stings...
*minor to moderate infections...
*small bone fractures...
*minor to moderate strains and sprains...
Also remember: your field kit is for medical emergencies...don't treat it like a medicine cabinet. You should pack a small contingent of anti-diarrheals, antacids, aspirins, eye drops, meds, etc. in a separate container. If you try to pack all of it in one box or bag, you'll be digging past the visene drops to find the alcohol wipes, and cross-contaminate your entire setup.
Anyways, it's rotation time for me, and I'm packing a little smaller than usual, 'cause I've re-prioritized my needs.
I found this little first-aid kit ($13.88) at Wal-Mart, and it just seemed to really have everything I was wanting in my BOB kit. On the same aisle, I found the nifty, waterproof box ($5.88) just begging to be stuffed....

Here are the contents of the Wally-World kit laid out (sorry 'bout the focus)...

Kit includes:
50 - 3" x .75" band-aids
30 - 1.5" x .375" band-aids
6 - butterfly closures
3 - knuckle band-aids
1 - adhesive tape roll .5" x 15'
10 - cotton swabs
4 - finger splint
21 - alcohol wipes
3 - povidone iodine wipes
3 - sting wipes
21- antiseptic towelettes
1 - lip ointment packet
1- glow stick
1 - emergency whistle
1 - emergency water pouch
1 - first aid guide
8 - electrolyte tabs
8 - non-aspirin tabs
8 - antacid tabs
4 - 2" x 2" sterile gauze dressing
4 - 4" x 4" sterile gauze dressing
1- 5" x 9" sterile trauma pad
1 - pair vinyl gloves
1 - instant cold compress
1 - scissors
1 - metal tweezer
2 - antibiotic ointment packets
4 - sterile lancets
I also added 2 straight razors to my kit, an epipen, and 2 Celox quick clot packets.
Yeah.....it all fits in the little box, except for the light stick (cheap, anyway...probably let the kiddo play with it) and the water pouch (that's what a canteen's for)....

Remember: you're trying to fit this thing into your BOB...don't try to pack a trauma kit...it won't fit.
I also recommend, whether you're trained or not, pack that little first-aid guide in there. Trust me, all the training in the world can go "whoosh" when you're in the thick of a situation, and staring at a cheap little pamphlet can kick-start your response. If you're not trained, study it, and find other sources with more depth to broaden your knowledge of basic first-response and first-aid.
The life you save just might be yours. ;)
Unless you're a trained field tech, and plan on becoming a roving medic WTSHTF, you need to think "simple."
Your field kit should be capable of treating:
*minor burns...
*minor to moderate cuts, lacerations, and puncture wounds...
*insect bites and stings...
*minor to moderate infections...
*small bone fractures...
*minor to moderate strains and sprains...
Also remember: your field kit is for medical emergencies...don't treat it like a medicine cabinet. You should pack a small contingent of anti-diarrheals, antacids, aspirins, eye drops, meds, etc. in a separate container. If you try to pack all of it in one box or bag, you'll be digging past the visene drops to find the alcohol wipes, and cross-contaminate your entire setup.
Anyways, it's rotation time for me, and I'm packing a little smaller than usual, 'cause I've re-prioritized my needs.
I found this little first-aid kit ($13.88) at Wal-Mart, and it just seemed to really have everything I was wanting in my BOB kit. On the same aisle, I found the nifty, waterproof box ($5.88) just begging to be stuffed....

Here are the contents of the Wally-World kit laid out (sorry 'bout the focus)...

Kit includes:
50 - 3" x .75" band-aids
30 - 1.5" x .375" band-aids
6 - butterfly closures
3 - knuckle band-aids
1 - adhesive tape roll .5" x 15'
10 - cotton swabs
4 - finger splint
21 - alcohol wipes
3 - povidone iodine wipes
3 - sting wipes
21- antiseptic towelettes
1 - lip ointment packet
1- glow stick
1 - emergency whistle
1 - emergency water pouch
1 - first aid guide
8 - electrolyte tabs
8 - non-aspirin tabs
8 - antacid tabs
4 - 2" x 2" sterile gauze dressing
4 - 4" x 4" sterile gauze dressing
1- 5" x 9" sterile trauma pad
1 - pair vinyl gloves
1 - instant cold compress
1 - scissors
1 - metal tweezer
2 - antibiotic ointment packets
4 - sterile lancets
I also added 2 straight razors to my kit, an epipen, and 2 Celox quick clot packets.
Yeah.....it all fits in the little box, except for the light stick (cheap, anyway...probably let the kiddo play with it) and the water pouch (that's what a canteen's for)....

Remember: you're trying to fit this thing into your BOB...don't try to pack a trauma kit...it won't fit.
I also recommend, whether you're trained or not, pack that little first-aid guide in there. Trust me, all the training in the world can go "whoosh" when you're in the thick of a situation, and staring at a cheap little pamphlet can kick-start your response. If you're not trained, study it, and find other sources with more depth to broaden your knowledge of basic first-response and first-aid.
The life you save just might be yours. ;)
Comment