DIY First Aid Kit

[406life]

I’m going through this exercise as well.

Can someone tell me why it’s worth it to carry Tylenol, ibuprofen, and aspirin? From my research they’re all fairly similar. Seems like Tylenol does not have anti inflammatory characteristics. Why not just pack ibuprofen or aspirin? If I recall aspirin can thin blood so could help with a heart attack? So maybe that’s an argument for aspirin and ibuprofen? But why would I carry all 3?

This is exactly why you should take an advance life-saving course. With the massive caveat that I am not a doctor and the provisio that this is for myself only, I alternate Tylenol in Motrin as needed for pain. People respond differently to the various types of pain meds, so having the variety doesn't take up much room or wait well worth having. I also keep Tylenol with me for the odd fever.

 

[tony]

Adventure medical kits on camofire right now

My opinion here, these are about the best off the shelf kits you can buy.

 

[Poser]

Here's my backcountry med kit that I rotate through any pack that's going in the country including hunting, backpacking, skiing, mtn biking etc:

Tourniquet
trauma shears
SAM splint
Trauma Pad (chest size)
2 sizes of sterile pads
sterile wipes
bandage roll + tape
Leuko Tape
band aids
wound closure strips
IB Proffen
emergency Blanket (throw in an extra for backcountry skiing)
Dermabond

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Pretty solid setup. A couple things that I carry are a small roll of dental floss (many uses, most not medical), a small bit of duct tape a 1 or 2 of the tiny little super glue tubes from Harbor Freight.

 

[schmalzy]

Adventure medical kits on camofire right now

My opinion here, these are about the best off the shelf kits you can buy.

Which one specifically?


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[TheHammer]

A gauze pad, adhesive bandages (knuckle, fingertip,&xl), suture kit, quick clot, electrical tape, super glue, alcohol wipe, neosporn & ibuprofen. Then at the truck I have more of each and a couple more things.

 

[northernmadman]

I hunt with some older gentlemen in their late 60’s/early 70’s. it is pretty fun bugging them about being old and it makes me feel younger I do worry about heart issues in the middle of know where. Anyone think of bringing out an AED? Expensive (1500 Canadian) but I am thinking of getting one for our trips. I can’t remember the exact stats but it does increase survival chances.
I like the pills in the small bags. I kept some of my wife’s old 5Mg morphine pills with me in the bottle for 10 years. Finally opened them up last year to inspect and it was just powder from the banging around.

 

[Sled]

I hunt with some older gentlemen in their late 60’s/early 70’s. it is pretty fun bugging them about being old and it makes me feel younger I do worry about heart issues in the middle of know where. Anyone think of bringing out an AED? Expensive (1500 Canadian) but I am thinking of getting one for our trips. I can’t remember the exact stats but it does increase survival chances.
I like the pills in the small bags. I kept some of my wife’s old 5Mg morphine pills with me in the bottle for 10 years. Finally opened them up last year to inspect and it was just powder from the banging around.

An AED wouldn't be on my list unless I were hunting with someone who has a history of A-fib and even then I might not bring it. You can cardiovert and benefit them. If they're in V-fib or asystole, call the medical examiner. There's a small percentage of people who can be saved by early difibrilation and even then they need a hospital/cath lab ASAP.

 

[dirtshooter]

Good thread. Been looking to build a good first aid kit for home and for hunting. Wish I knew more about using tourniquets and quick clot and other stop the bleed techniques to actually justify buying some. Is there any online training for that sort of thing?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I'd tell you to start with a WFA, or even better a WFR course, and then create your own kit. Knowledge doesn't weigh anything. Then you'll have skills to keep someone alive long enough to get off the mountain or get rescued (if they weren't expectant anyway).

I'll also add I carry two CATs, one in pack and one in my right pocket.

WFR is a good course to take. I took it about.....shit....24 years ago lol. I actually made a traction splint for a guy who broke his femur after learning how to do it in the WFR class. I also saw a guy die in a rock climbing accident shortly after that class and it made me feel strange that there was nothing I could do.

 

[Antares]

I’m going through this exercise as well.

Can someone tell me why it’s worth it to carry Tylenol, ibuprofen, and aspirin? From my research they’re all fairly similar. Seems like Tylenol does not have anti inflammatory characteristics. Why not just pack ibuprofen or aspirin? If I recall aspirin can thin blood so could help with a heart attack? So maybe that’s an argument for aspirin and ibuprofen? But why would I carry all 3?

I'm guessing the idea with the Aspirin is in the case of a cardiac event. I do not carry Aspirin.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen work on different biological pathways and can safely be taken together. You can get some pretty significant pain control out of alternating max doses; I carry both.

 

[tony]

Which one specifically?


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I’d pick up one from the mountain or sportsman’s line.

These are nice lightweight pouches that hold a lot

Individual First Aid Pouch (Buy 1 Get 1 Free. Mix and Match in Multiples of 2. All Sales Final.)

Maxpedition, Military, CCW, EDC, Tactical, Everyday Carry, Outdoors, Nature, Hiking, Camping, Police Officer, EMT, Firefighter, Bushcraft, Gear.

www.maxpedition.com

 

[Sled]

Good thread. Been looking to build a good first aid kit for home and for hunting. Wish I knew more about using tourniquets and quick clot and other stop the bleed techniques to actually justify buying some. Is there any online training for that sort of thing?

Lookup "stop the bleed"

 

[Sled]

I also saw a guy die in a rock climbing accident shortly after that class and it made me feel strange that there was nothing I could do.

I've been a professional rescuer for a couple decades now. Some people are going to die no matter what you do. In the wilderness it can happen easier than back home due to transport time. Stop bleeding, keep them warm or cool as the case may be for heat emergencies and stabilize as best you can. Decide on an extraction or notification of rescue strategy. Cool headed thinking can save lives.

 

[LineBurner]

Good thread. Been looking to build a good first aid kit for home and for hunting. Wish I knew more about using tourniquets and quick clot and other stop the bleed techniques to actually justify buying some. Is there any online training for that sort of thing?

I'm sure you can find a few videos on YouTube that are 10 Mins or less that would be decent quality. I can tell you that from a Police/Fire/EMS they train for major bleeds to put them on high as you can on the limb tight enough by spinning the windless to almost where you can't turn it any more and the leave it on.

Generally if getting to a hospital in an hour or two with the tourniquet on isn't enough time to really worry much damage from the tourniquet. Especially if the need for the tourniquet is lifesaving and would stop someone from bleeding out in 10 minutes or less.

Of course that it's a different situation in the back country, which we are discussing where rescue could be hours or even a day or so depending on how far back in you are and how fast authorities can get notified. I'm sure a Veteran could bring more info on this

 

[BoilerBowHunter]

MeatEater podcast episode 192 has some good stuff on this.

YouTube is also great resource as some have mentioned. I watched a few videos today and relistened to part of that podcast. There is no lasting damage from a tourniquet that’s on longer than most would think- I want to say they said 6 hours. It beats the alternative either way…

 

[fwafwow]

I'm sure you can find a few videos on YouTube that are 10 Mins or less that would be decent quality. I can tell you that from a Police/Fire/EMS they train for major bleeds to put them on high as you can on the limb tight enough by spinning the windless to almost where you can't turn it any more and the leave it on.

Someone else might be able to confirm, but I believe the recommendation has changed from high and tight to a few inches above the injury - fwiw.

 

[Mrtoyz]

I’m going through this exercise as well.

Can someone tell me why it’s worth it to carry Tylenol, ibuprofen, and aspirin? From my research they’re all fairly similar. Seems like Tylenol does not have anti inflammatory characteristics. Why not just pack ibuprofen or aspirin? If I recall aspirin can thin blood so could help with a heart attack? So maybe that’s an argument for aspirin and ibuprofen? But why would I carry all 3?

As someone said above. They work differently but they can be combined for some serious pain relief. Your mileage may vary but 1000Mg of Tylenol can be combined with 800Mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours if the situation necessitates. Incredibly effective. As always do your own research.

 

[crich]

Not much to using a tourniquet honestly. 3 inches above the wound and turn until the pulse cannot be felt below the wound. If that puts you at a joint go above it. Its uncomfortable and is supposed to hurt. Improvised tourniquet can be made with special attention to not use cordage or other thin things that will damage tissue without effectively cutting off the blood supply. Once applied document the time and location it was applied so medical professionals know whats up. If one tourniquet isn't stopping blood flow then apply another above it.

 

[Sled]

Not much to using a tourniquet honestly. 3 inches above the wound and turn until the pulse cannot be felt below the wound. If that puts you at a joint go above it. Its uncomfortable and is supposed to hurt. Improvised tourniquet can be made with special attention to not use cordage or other thin things that will damage tissue without effectively cutting off the blood supply. Once applied document the time and location it was applied so medical professionals know whats up. If one tourniquet isn't stopping blood flow then apply another above it.

Good info. I'll add that if it's life or limb, choose life. If you'll be further than 6-8hrs from definitive care you can loosen the tq after packing the wound tight with whatever clean material you can fit in and use pressure. I keep rolled gauze or hemostatic z-gauze for this purpose. If it's venous bleeding you can typically control the bleeding with packing and a pressure bandage or direct pressure. If it's arterial and a larger artery, you're better off leaving the tq on if the bleeding is unmanageable. A tq can really buy you time to think. Fwiw, I've taken more off than I've put on.