$20 BOB First-Aid Kit...

[Big_Saw]

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. ;)

[Legionnaire]

Here's an item I feel everyone should add to their first aid kit. If you don't know how to use it at least you can guarantee everything is sterile when you find someone who can. I know most people aren't supposed to suture themselves BUT if TSHTF everyone better learn at least 3 common suture patterns.

http://www.rei.com/product/680986

[Big_Saw]

Here's an item I feel everyone should add to their first aid kit. If you don't know how to use it at least you can guarantee everything is sterile when you find someone who can. I know most people aren't supposed to suture themselves BUT if TSHTF everyone better learn at least 3 common suture patterns.
http://www.rei.com/product/680986

Suture kits are very handy in the field, but I prefer to keep a separate "trauma kit" with this kind of stuff in it. That way, you're not rifling through your sterile gear for a band-aid and cross-contaminating everything.

The number one cause of serious infections in the field is cross-contamination of medical equipment and utensils....;)

[Rustyshakelford]

Suture kits are very handy in the field, but I prefer to keep a separate "trauma kit" with this kind of stuff in it. That way, you're not rifling through your sterile gear for a band-aid and cross-contaminating everything.

The number one cause of serious infections in the field is cross-contamination of medical equipment and utensils....;)

Alcohol for a pain killer when suturing? Just curious. Being somewhat accident prone, I have superglued some cuts that probably should have been stitched. But, superglue is painless. Suggestions?

[Big_Saw]

Alcohol for a pain killer when suturing? Just curious. Being somewhat accident prone, I have superglued some cuts that probably should have been stitched. But, superglue is painless. Suggestions?

If there's nothing else, and you've got a screaming maniac on the pointy end of the needle....what the hell....but alcohol thins the blood, which will not be condusive to expedient clotting, and can make your "work site" messier than need be, due to more bleeding.

Supergluing is actually a great emergency closure method for small cuts....and I use it all the time (even have some in my tac vest)...just try not to sew up anything that's considered a LOD injury with it...for one, you're probably going to use more glue than you want in contact w/your bloodstream/skin - and two, if it looks like it needs more than two stitches.....it needs stitches - or at least a good closure with a bandage - not glue.

[Rustyshakelford]

If there's nothing else, and you've got a screaming maniac on the pointy end of the needle....what the hell....but alcohol thins the blood, which will not be condusive to expedient clotting, and can make your "work site" messier than need be, due to more bleeding.

Supergluing is actually a great emergency closure method for small cuts....and I use it all the time (even have some in my tac vest)...just try not to sew up anything that's considered a LOD injury with it...for one, you're probably going to use more glue than you want in contact w/your bloodstream/skin - and two, if it looks like it needs more than two stitches.....it needs stitches - or at least a good closure with a bandage - not glue.

What is good for pain control? Me? I have been stabbed, cut, and burned so many times that pain is not much of an issue for me, but a lot of people are wussies.

[Big_Saw]

What is good for pain control? Me? I have been stabbed, cut, and burned so many times that pain is not much of an issue for me, but a lot of people are wussies.

About the only things that work besides medical anesthetics are morphine (illegal unless you're a Dr.) , marijuana (illegal unless you're a politician) , a bite-stick (illegal if you're Mike Tyson or Lorena Bobbit).

I've used Oral B a couple of times, and it seems to work pretty good (in fact, I'm out)...and since you can put it in your mouth, I don't think there's any harm getting it into a good sized cut, even though the directions specifically prohibit it....I haven't lost a PX to Oral B yet.

[Rustyshakelford]

About the only things that work besides medical anesthetics are morphine (illegal unless you're a Dr.) , marijuana (illegal unless you're a politician) , a bite-stick (illegal if you're Mike Tyson or Lorena Bobbit).

I've used Oral B a couple of times, and it seems to work pretty good (in fact, I'm out)...and since you can put it in your mouth, I don't think there's any harm getting it into a good sized cut, even though the directions specifically prohibit it....I haven't lost a PX to Oral B yet.

How about Vodka as a topical?

[Big_Saw]

How about Vodka as a topical?

Alcohol's good for cleaning, but won't anesthetize a wound...

[Rustyshakelford]

Alcohol's good for cleaning, but won't anesthetize a wound...

How about Kava Kava? Makes me numb as heck.

[Big_Saw]

How about Kava Kava? Makes me numb as heck.

WTF is Kava Kava, and what does this have to do with a first aid kit for your BOB?

Can you fit it in this?

[Rustyshakelford]

WTF is Kava Kava, and what does this have to do with a first aid kit for your BOB?

Can you fit it in this?

Yeah, it would fit. It is an herb from polynesia. Used in religious ceremonies. I ordered some from Hawaii a while back and, while I have never done illegal drugs, it sounds like it has similiar properties to what I read about coca. I got a general feeling of well being, and numbness all over. Not too severe, but enough to just make me kind of not care. A pain killer...maybe?

[Big_Saw]

Yeah, it would fit. It is an herb from polynesia. Used in religious ceremonies. I ordered some from Hawaii a while back and, while I have never done illegal drugs, it sounds like it has similiar properties to what I read about coca. I got a general feeling of well being, and numbness all over. Not too severe, but enough to just make me kind of not care. A pain killer...maybe?

Never heard of it.....but if it works for ya.....and it fits in a small box with 199 other items...it's gotta be good. ;) I'll read up on it and ask some tech buds if they know of it.