Ultimate First Aid Kit Thread

thecoalition

thecoalition

Call me Daddy
Location
Richmond, Va
I like to be prepared for accidents b/c well...they tend to happen when out in the woods miles from decent medical care. This list should serve as a solid guide for anyone looking to build up a First Aid Kit to keep in the truck. Now, remember that there are some things you may never need, while others you may want to double up on. That is something only you can decide, and should really think about only after you build you kit.

**Only put in your kit that which you are trained and knowledgeable enough to use properly and safely**

So first of all - the container. This can be anything that can hold your kit, but I recommend getting something that is ballistic nylon and built to last. My truck didn't come with a Nissan one so I prefer these two:

Container:
Basic Kit Bag: Blue Ridge Overland Gear IFAK
As an add-on - I would also get a Blue Ridge Overland Gear medium hook and loop pouch to add into the IFAK. I prefer the clear fronts so you can actually see what you have in the first aid dept.

BROG previously made small pouches which allowed for compartmentalization of products, but after contacting the company I found out they are no longer making them. Hopefully, they will come back in the future though.

Large Kit Bag: Blue Ridge Overland Gear First Aid Bag

Basics:
These are items that every kit should have no matter what. They can all be fit into the Basic Kit Bag with the addition of a Blueridge Overland Gear hook and loop pouch or two.

Antiseptic wipes (BZK-based wipes preferred)
Antibacterial ointment
Compound tincture of benzoin (bandage adhesive)
Assorted adhesive bandages (fabric)
Butterfly bandages / adhesive wound-closure strips
Gauze pads (various sizes)
Nonstick sterile pads
Medical adhesive tape (10 yd. roll, min. 1" width)
Blister treatment
Ibuprofen or other NSAID
After bite - insect bite/sting treatment
Antihistamine to treat allergic reactions
Fine point tweezers
Safety pins
First-aid manual or information cards

Now you have your basic kit, but you want to expand on it to make sure you are ready for anything? You will want to upgrade to a bigger bag or add a second bag at this point. Then add in the following:

Wraps and Wound:

Tourniquet or RATS
Elastic wrap/Triangular cravat bandage
Finger splint
SAM splint
Rolled gauze
Rolled, stretch-to-conform bandages
Hydrogel-based pads
First-aid cleansing pads with topical anesthetic
Hemostatic (blood-stopping) gauze
Liquid bandage
Oval eye pads

Medications and Treatments:

Hand sanitizer
Aloe vera gel (for sun burns)
Aspirin (primarily for response to a heart attack)
Antacid tablets (Tums or Gas X)
Throat lozenges
Lubricating eye drops
Anti-Diarrheal
Poison ivy / poison oak treatment
Glucose or other sugar to treat hypoglycemia
Pedialyte packets
Antifungal foot powder
Injectable epinephrine to treat allergic reactions
Snake Bite Kit

Tools and Supplies:

Knife/Multi Tool - Dedicate one this kit (Spyderco Ladybug Salt is great here)
Paramedic shears
Safety razor blade (or scalpel w/ #15 or #12 blade)
Cotton-tipped swabs
Standard oral thermometer
Low-reading (hypothermia) thermometer
Irrigation syringe with 18-gauge catheter
Magnifying glass
Small mirror
Medical / surgical gloves (nitrile NOT latex b/c some people are allergic to latex)
CPR mask
Steel sewing needle with heavy-duty thread
Needle-nose pliers with wire cutter
Duct tape (small roll)
Small notepad with waterproof pencil or pen
Medical waste bag (plus box for sharp items)
Waterproof container to hold supplies and meds
Emergency heat-reflecting blanket
Headlamp (preferred) or flashlight
Whistle (pealess preferred)

Other:
Sunscreen
Lip balm with SPF
Insect repellent with Deet
Biodegradable soap
Water-treatment chemicals
Collapsible water sink or basin
Superglue (Dermabond if you can get your hands on it)
New Skin


Save some money and either find a friend who also wants to build a kit or if you want, build multiple setups; then buy your stuff off amazon in bulk.
 
Last edited:
thecoalition

thecoalition

Call me Daddy
Location
Richmond, Va
Added two additional items I forgot - Tourniquet and snake bite kit.

I don't carry all of this stuff, but I'd say I have about 3/4 of it. I'm still expanding my setup, but the stuff does get expensive if you try to build all at once.
 
maillet282

maillet282

If you bleeding, Imma fix you
Moderator
Location
Ontario Canada
Currently as a first aid/trauma kit I have in the truck.

I keep my work med bad.
Camel back with med clamshell insert
Containing
Massive Bleads;
- 4x CAT Tourniquet
-1x SOF-T Tourniquet
-1x Combat Gauze
-multiple 4" Olaes dressing
-multiple 6" Olaes dressings

Airway:
-OPA
-NPA
-King LT
- surgical airway set
-Toomie syringe with NPA on the end as a suction device

Respiratory:
-Bag Valve Mask
-CPR pocket mask( outer quick access pocket)
-2x 14g Needle decompression needles
-2x halo (2 per package)
-Extra Large tegaderm

Circulation
- finger Pulse Ox
-other gauze bandages

head/Hypothermia :
-4x casualty blankets( the thin foil ones )
-1 cervical collar

Everything else
- IV start kits
-meds ( no controlled or narcotics unless at work)
- OTC meds
BooBoo kit( cuts blisters sprains)
Diagnostic kit
-stethoscope
-BP cuff
-field ENT kit
- blood glucose test kit

And I am sure I am missing a few things

I also have mission specific gear in my locker at work
- Compact traction splint
- foldable compact stresrchers





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maillet282

maillet282

If you bleeding, Imma fix you
Moderator
Location
Ontario Canada
Word of advice to people that are wanting to carry a Tourniquet. There are a lot of various ones out there and I lost and carry 2 ( listed in my med bag lost).

Please, ensure that you are using one of the tourniquets that are approved by the committee on Tactical Combat Casualty care ( COTCCC).

These tourniquets have been tested and utilized countless times. Unlike some companies that design tourniquets and market them with out proper testing to back them up.

Also if your going to buy 1. You might as well get 2 while your at it ( exact same ones). That way you have one for your first aid kit for real life use and one for you to practice using. Make sure you can attach it with one hand under 30 seconds. Then try I get the 30 seconds or less with your non dominant hand.

Also please get the proper training to go with all of the cool new toys you got in your first aid kit


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thecoalition

thecoalition

Call me Daddy
Location
Richmond, Va
Yea I don't recommend anyone who is not emt/medic/doctor whatever to do any IVs. Also, I didn't list airway simply because according to current CPR rules, there is no more mouth to mouth. Proper chest compressions are enough to keep a person going.
 
maillet282

maillet282

If you bleeding, Imma fix you
Moderator
Location
Ontario Canada
thecoalition said:
Yea I don't recommend anyone who is not emt/medic/doctor whatever to do any IVs. Also, I didn't list airway simply because according to current CPR rules, there is no more mouth to mouth. Proper chest compressions are enough to keep a person going.
Click to expand...

I have and use airways due to me being a medical technician with the Canadian Military. And am qualified for CPR for health care professional ( a bit different cause we are still supposed to check for pulse and all that jazz


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thecoalition

thecoalition

Call me Daddy
Location
Richmond, Va
TheFauxFox said:
American Red Cross still teaches and encourages rescue breaths for certicfication (per government and EMS trainers).
Click to expand...

My understanding was that rescue breathing was only supposed to be used in conjunction with compressions during a witnessed incident.
I let my CPR certification lapse, and have considered recertifying, but I used to do rescue breathing so if you stop breathing around me, expect a little mouth to mouth :)
 
maillet282

maillet282

If you bleeding, Imma fix you
Moderator
Location
Ontario Canada
Let me go look in my instructors notes ( St. John Ambulance first aid instructor guide book)


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D

ddddddd

Bought an X
Location
los angeles
thecoalition said:
One final item that I keep, but you can't just go out and buy is a couple sticks of Dermabond. Basically, it's stiches in a bottle and can be used for small to medium depth cuts. You have to know someone who works in the medical field to get your hands on it though.
Click to expand...

If you're ok with a little bit of burning sensation during application, I would just use regular super glue. It is so much cheaper. To be honest, I haven't really noticed a difference between super glue and dermabond as far as "burning sensations" go, but obviously YMMV.
 
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