Talk to me about your first aid kits (FAKs)
Do you have multiple ones? Home, car, bug-out versions?
What do you put in each one?
What type of container/bag do you use?
Just a few band-aids, or a full blown could-equip-an-ER kit?
What do you deem absolutely necessary?
What do think is *overkill*?
Currently, I don't really have one....I have 2 bathroom shelves with bandages, antibiotic ointment, fungal cream & spray, general stuff like Epsom salts, alcohol, peroxide, etc.
I'm in an interesting position with FAK. Personally, the highest certification I've had is Wilderness First aid, with so other specialized training mixed in. The instructor has asked me to cert EMT test twice. I've declined twice. Wife made EMT last year.
At home, I have what most would consider normal first aid stuff, with some higher end stuff mixed in, CAT tourniquets, etc.
A club I work with has actual paramedics and flight nurses, and have acquired a full paramedic type bag, including airway tools, etc (I nixed the o2 due to *reasons*). With that bag, Attached directly to that bag, is a standard first aid kit (a Boo-boo kit, if you will). There are only a limited number of people who will use the full bag, while the boo-boo kit is fully usable. The reasoning is that the big bag needs to be available for *real* emergencies, and we don't want people digging into it for standard run of the mill things.
A *boo-boo* kit is a good idea.
Having that to prevent people digging through a bona-fide first aid kit makes a lot of sense!
My current supplies include a lot of stuff for my feet. I had to battle a severe diabetic foot abscess during the winter and....it was rough.
It started with athletes foot and just got very damn bad very damn fast.
Now I keep on hand everything possible to prevent and treat foot fungal infections AND the bandages, etc. if it goes past that.
My foot is still not 100%, but it's at about 80-85% healed.
************************
What kind of bags do you recommend for a more comprehensive first aid kit?
We went through gearbags.com but I know there was a vendor on the other board that offered pretty decent discounts. I allowed the actual med people to pick it out (with a few veto's from me) so I can only *assume/hope* its quality at a good price... lol I hope to never find out.
Our main kit in the house is based on a bag similar to this in bright red, called the Owie Bag
https://lapolicegear.com/rothco-2656-concealed-bag.html
Each vehicle has a pretty basic FAK with supplemental gauze pads, roller gauze, and band aids. Not up to trauma kit standards by any means but adequate for life's usual bumps and bruises.
Quote from: NT2C on June 06, 2021, 06:16:14 PM
Our main kit in the house is based on a bag similar to this in bright red, called the Owie Bag
https://lapolicegear.com/rothco-2656-concealed-bag.html
Each vehicle has a pretty basic FAK with supplemental gauze pads, roller gauze, and band aids. Not up to trauma kit standards by any means but adequate for life's usual bumps and bruises.
Thanks for sending me down that rabbit hole! :))
I found about a zillion bags and things I want to buy (but, alas, can't afford them all!)
But it is a hell of a starting point.
I think I'll find the bag that best suits my needs and then fill it myself. But I will probably get one of the bags I see on there, they look very sturdy.
Quote from: Lambykins on June 07, 2021, 05:53:31 AM
Quote from: NT2C on June 06, 2021, 06:16:14 PM
Our main kit in the house is based on a bag similar to this in bright red, called the Owie Bag
https://lapolicegear.com/rothco-2656-concealed-bag.html (https://lapolicegear.com/rothco-2656-concealed-bag.html)
Each vehicle has a pretty basic FAK with supplemental gauze pads, roller gauze, and band aids. Not up to trauma kit standards by any means but adequate for life's usual bumps and bruises.
Thanks for sending me down that rabbit hole! :))
I found about a zillion bags and things I want to buy (but, alas, can't afford them all!)
But it is a hell of a starting point.
I think I'll find the bag that best suits my needs and then fill it myself. But I will probably get one of the bags I see on there, they look very sturdy.
Rothco makes a pretty decent bag IMHO. Fairly inexpensive and sturdy. LAPG is a great site for gear and their own branded range bags are used as tool & spare parts bags in both of my vehicles.
I should probably put a bit more effort into this but currently I've got a DIN 13164 kit in each vehicle and another one in the house. Not specifically this kit (https://evaq8.co.uk/ultimate-car-first-aid-kit-complies-with-din-13164-standard.html) but it gives a run-down of the contents.
DIN 13164 is a German standard for vehicle first aid kits. There are certain European countries that require you to carry one, which means they are widely available here and relatively cheap.
There's also various bits and pieces of booboo kit around the house, and I've got a pocket kit in my work bag. (I must go through it and replace life-expired dressings.)
Quote from: sheddi on June 08, 2021, 09:07:37 AM
I should probably put a bit more effort into this but currently I've got a DIN 13164 kit in each vehicle and another one in the house. Not specifically this kit (https://evaq8.co.uk/ultimate-car-first-aid-kit-complies-with-din-13164-standard.html) but it gives a run-down of the contents.
DIN 13164 is a German standard for vehicle first aid kits. There are certain European countries that require you to carry one, which means they are widely available here and relatively cheap.
There's also various bits and pieces of booboo kit around the house, and I've got a pocket kit in my work bag. (I must go through it and replace life-expired dressings.)
When I had my Audi I had no idea about this law. I pulled down the center console in the rear and there's a full on trauma kit on there. The car when's to the scrap yard so I kept the first aid kit, it's now in my truck.
Quote from: NT2C on June 07, 2021, 08:06:36 AM
Quote from: Lambykins on June 07, 2021, 05:53:31 AM
Quote from: NT2C on June 06, 2021, 06:16:14 PM
Our main kit in the house is based on a bag similar to this in bright red, called the Owie Bag
https://lapolicegear.com/rothco-2656-concealed-bag.html (https://lapolicegear.com/rothco-2656-concealed-bag.html)
Each vehicle has a pretty basic FAK with supplemental gauze pads, roller gauze, and band aids. Not up to trauma kit standards by any means but adequate for life's usual bumps and bruises.
Thanks for sending me down that rabbit hole! :))
I found about a zillion bags and things I want to buy (but, alas, can't afford them all!)
But it is a hell of a starting point.
I think I'll find the bag that best suits my needs and then fill it myself. But I will probably get one of the bags I see on there, they look very sturdy.
Rothco makes a pretty decent bag IMHO. Fairly inexpensive and sturdy. LAPG is a great site for gear and their own branded range bags are used as tool & spare parts bags in both of my vehicles.
For the house FAK I'm currently using a sling bag but not entirely happy with it, too little space so everything gets packed in making it difficult to find anything no matter how I try to reorganize it. It's mostly a boo-boo bag with some upgrades since we're about an hour away from the nearest hospital. Tried to put a little thought into kid and canine injuries, so that influenced the choice for some of the items.
(https://i.postimg.cc/XJ7jLX5x/fak-new.jpg)
Our vehicle bags on top, one for each with (mostly) identical contents. Yes, those are repurposed shower accessory bags, they do fit under the truck seats nicely. You can stop laughing now... The boating/fishing bag on the bottom:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Nf8sPLQQ/kits.jpg)
Another bag contains a BVM, set of nasal trumpets (28-36fr), jelly, pulse ox, BP cuff, stethoscope, and everything to start a saline IV. EOTW stuff for my mostly untrained hands, or in the highly unlikely event that a severely injured person, a medical pro with no gear, and me with the bag find ourselves in close proximity.
I can put together a complete list if anyone is interested, but honestly I dislike long lists and usually only look for odd items or ones I've never heard of before in them.
I think those are awesome bags Crosscut. They look perfect for how you're using them.
Recertification of CPR/AED and BBP training at work made me think of this thread. I need to get my FAK stuff more organized, as at home we currently have stuff mostly sitting loose on a closet shelf. We have a couple small hard case containers that we use for travel, the one week a year we go anywhere.
Most of our stuff is boo-boo type, but I should probably look at having some trauma stuff OH also.
Will start investigating this more and making a more detailed list to see where that leads me.
Quote from: NapalmMan67 on January 07, 2022, 11:56:33 AMRecertification of CPR/AED and BBP training at work made me think of this thread. I need to get my FAK stuff more organized, as at home we currently have stuff mostly sitting loose on a closet shelf. We have a couple small hard case containers that we use for travel, the one week a year we go anywhere.
Most of our stuff is boo-boo type, but I should probably look at having some trauma stuff OH also.
Will start investigating this more and making a more detailed list to see where that leads me.
Geesh, I haven't gotten very far on this project to date. I need to buckle down and get it done.
But it did make me think of something else to ask... thread forthcoming.
.
I have the house first aid kit in a hip roof 6 shelf tackle box. Variety of bandaids, Neosporin, gauze, wraps, ace wraps,Izzy bandages,cat torniquites,tweezers,splinter outs, small scalpel ( cut out a splinter ). Next to it is a bottle of peroxide , and rubbing alcohol.
Then I got one of these in each vehicle.
https://www.knifecenter.com/item/EFA184R/elite-first-aid-level-1-ifak-red-pull-away-molle-bag-bulk-packed
Quote from: Crosscut on June 11, 2021, 01:57:45 PMI can put together a complete list if anyone is interested, but honestly I dislike long lists and usually only look for odd items or ones I've never heard of before in them.
Can you make a list of the medicines I circled?
(https://i.imgur.com/wuA64Cr.jpg)
In my GHB and BOB, I'm a big fan of the AMK Ultralight .9 (https://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/ultralight-watertight-9.html)
For the price, it's a little basic, but the supplies are pretty easily replenished, and it's pretty compact:
- 5 - Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1" x 3"
- 3 - Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
- 1 - Bandage, Conforming Gauze, 3"
- 2 - Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 2" x 2", Pkg./2
- 3 - Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 3" x 3", Pkg./2
- 2 - Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3" x 4"
Bleeding
- 1 - Gloves, Nitrile (Pair), Hand Wipe
- 1 - Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
Blister / Burn
- 2 - Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (11 pieces)
Duct Tape
Fracture / Sprain
- 1 - Bandage, Elastic with Velcro, 2"
Instrument
- 3 - Safety Pins
- 1 - Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
Medication
- 2 - After Bite Wipe
- 2 - Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
- 2 - Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
- 2 - Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
- 2 - Acetaminophen (500 mg), Pkg./2
Wound Care
- 6 - Antiseptic Wipe
- 2 - Alcohol Swab
- 1 - Cotton Tip Applicator, Pkg./2
- 1 - Syringe, Irrigation, 10 cc, 18 Gauge Tip
- 1 - Tape, 1" x 10 Yards
- 1 - Skin Tac™ Topical Adhesive, Wipe
- 3 - Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use
- 1 - Wound Closure Strips, 1/4" x 4", Pkg./10
I bought one of these for each of my bags
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000069EYA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin(https://ufozs.com/smf/Smileys/hyves/smiley_woot.gif)_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
To which I added better EMT shears, a roll of elastic bandage , several envelops of cellox, several cellox bandages and a tourniquet. Oh and ten nitrile gloves.
On my Edc bag I have this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4E2XYB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also with better EMT shears, cellox and elastic bandage roll
Quote from: flybynight on October 21, 2022, 04:32:24 PMI bought one of these for each of my bags
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000069EYA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin(https://ufozs.com/smf/Smileys/hyves/smiley_woot.gif)_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
To which I added better EMT shears, a roll of elastic bandage , several envelops of cellox, several cellox bandages and a tourniquet. Oh and ten nitrile gloves.
On my Edc bag I have this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4E2XYB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also with better EMT shears, cellox and elastic bandage roll
That first kit in particular looks pretty thorough. Good on you for having more "stop the bleed" supplies. Those are noticeably absent from most of these kits (mine included.)
My kids like to make a mess of my stuff and I found that trying to keep a kit is nearly impossible. I have booboo stuff (alcohol swabs, Neosporine, bandaids) in random places throughout the house so even if the stuff didn't get put away last time in one spot, I know where some others are. I have some tossed into the cabinet under my sink in my bathroom, some on my dresser, some in a box under my coffee table, some in my travel gear, some in my go bag, and some in the primary cabinet for first aid stuff. In the cabinet is some other FAK items for more serious issues or joint issues and, if I'm lucky, they'll be there when I need them. I do have a few standard pre-made kits.
I also have what I call and insect and allergy kit that I keep in a Maxpedition Micro Pocket Organizer that fits in the pocket of my cargo pants. It has booboo stuff, but also my AuviQ epi injector, tobacco to put on stings (in a blunt tube), Benadryl single dose packs, and a Tick Lasso for removing ticks without squeezing them.
For home ,we keep ours in two holiday popcorn tins. One is mostly bandages and the other is mostly salves, lotions and liquids. None of it came from a kit. Just stuff we buy a few at a time and throw in the tin. Bandages, cellox, those Walmart one dollar tubes of triple anti biotic. Bunch of those. Bottles of alcohol and peroxide No oral medicines as those would be in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.
Recomendations on good EMT shears? Without purchasing from Amazon.
Quote from: NapalmMan67 on November 22, 2022, 03:18:20 PMRecomendations on good EMT shears? Without purchasing from Amazon.
Leatherman makes a pretty good set, but they're a bit pricey at 90 bucks.
I picked up a couple pairs of EMT shears at a local store that's since gone out of business. They weren't marketed as EMT shears, but they're pretty much the exact same thing. I think I paid something like 5 or 6 bucks for each pair I got.
I want to say I've grabbed my last few sets from Northern tool.
Like Chimp said, you wont find them marketed as "EMT Shears" without paying the $$$.
However a cheap pair of "blunted end cut anything scissors...."
Probably a legal thing.
So what's the school of thought on the shears?
Buy very good/expensive shears that need to be sterilized/autoclaved after use.
Or a $10 pair that you can just throw out with the rest of used stuff, etc, after use.
Fairly certain I don't need a $90 set of shears,, even if they do fold.
A lot of choices in the $10-15 range it seems, not sure how much better they are than the $4.95 ones? I would think those would be ok to sterilize after use instead of just tossing? Most seem to be ok grades of Stainless.
I think it comes down to WHAT are you doing with them. As for sterilize? These are EMT shears, not surgical tools. Should we clean them well, and give them an alch bath, sure. Autoclave may be a little to much unless you are going to seal them afterwards? Plus, Not sure of the plastic melting points vs. the autoclave...
To generalize, these are glorified scissors... Cut bandages, fabric, maybe the occasional odds and ends... doubtful you will be going sub-dermal with them...
Most any shears that you fit in a fak will go nicely into a UV multi-bottle sterilizer, which will also nicely sterilize electronics, toothbrushes, instrument mouth pieces, menstrual cups, etc. It's really nice to have during/after an illness to decontaminate personal items and they're not overly expensive.
I have this one for 69.99: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B093CRMBQG/
I finally did a 'gear pic' and list of the contents of my 'squad IFAK' I keep at work.
(https://i.imgur.com/hnsDPiM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PcSDqcK.jpg)
EMS Dixigear Empty First Responder II Bag 10.5" x 5" x 8" - Blue
LEFT COLUMN - in left side zipper pouch (top to bottom, L to R)
Sunscreen pillow packs
Tylenol
CAT TQ w/ instructions
Daytime Cough and Cold medication pak
TriBiotic Ointment pillow packs
Emergency Mylar Blankets x3
Dry Burn Dressing x2
Floss/toothpicks
Individual Comfort Kit*
CENTER COLUMN - Center zipper compartment (top to bottom, L to R)
Neoprene Gloves x2
Rubber Gloves x1
Nasopharyngeal x2
TCCC cards x2
Lens wipes x2
Gauze pad 3x3 x1
Compressed wipes x18
Compressed Gauze x2
Wound Packing Gauze x3
Hemostatic powder x3
Dry Burn Dressing x2
Picaridin Insect Repellant individual pillow paks
Gauze rolls x5
Ace Bandages x4
Eyewash bullets x5
Moleskin
Right Column - in Right side zipper pouch (top to bottom, L to R)
Scalpel set
Scalpel disposal box
Forceps x2
Suture kit
Staple Kit
Staple removal tool
Scissors
Hyphen Chest seal x2
SAM splint
Currently have two TCCC IFAK's and am working on a 3rd. Black, Coyote, and Multicam. One is in my car, the other two are kept minuteman ready with 2nd line gear.
(https://i.imgur.com/WnUAE78.jpg?2)(https://i.imgur.com/mmkj0kU.jpg)(https://i.imgur.com/brbreAA.jpg?1)
And have a home kit that is in a 'medical' cabinet that has more stuff.
And have some medical stuff in my EDC bag, painkillers, Individual Comfort Kit, Assorted Band-Aids, CAT TQ.
*Individual Comfort Kit
Put these items into a small ziplock:
Assorted Band-Aids
Triple Antibiotic pillow packs
Sunscreen pillow packs
Moleskin
Bug Repellant
Alcohol Wipe
Floss/Toothpick
(https://i.imgur.com/1aoMNHb.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/K2tzDNK.jpg?1)