Let's talk first aid

[*zap*]

The finger splint is a very good idea, I am going to add one to my kit. Thanks.

 

[Justin Crossley]

Some good stuff here guys. Most of the stuff mentioned is usually in my kit as well but I don't do a good job of replacing things as I use them. Then, when something happens I don't have what I need.

One additional thing that hasn't been mentioned but I think is very important is life flight insurance. I don't have it right now but it is something I plan to add soon.

 

[Hectocotylus]

A little training goes a long way also for most things.


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[Brianb3]

Don’t know if it was mentioned yet but I’m adding these to mine this year. See photo

I also carry clotting powder they sell in small superglue like containers.

Shit happens

Tapatalk

 

[Buckman]

One thing i have not seen mentioned is something for tooth pain. I seem to always break a tooth or lose a filling at the worst time so i have a little dental kit that i bought. Just a thought.

 

[nickstevens2588]

Don’t know if it was mentioned yet but I’m adding these to mine this year. See photo

I also carry clotting powder they sell in small superglue like containers.

Shit happens

Tapatalk

Damn! Is that your leg or just an example?

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[Brianb3]

Damn! Is that your leg or just an example?

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Yea my leg. Fortunately I missed the good stuff. 1000 feet down about 2 miles from the truck. I was chasing a bull on a WA draw tag. I made a move on a bull. Called. Was going to move up then turned around and another bull was 20 yards behind me, he came in silent. I knocked an arrow he bolted. With a still knocked arrow I didn’t think. With adrenaline running I started after the first bull, lifted my bow w arrow up to get over a log and the broad head went straight in. I didn’t see blood so I kept pushing up then looked down I knew there was a problem. Made it out quickly and drove the 2 hours into town was back hunting that evening.

Ironic thing my ER doctor/hunting partner who was headed to elk camp literally landed at the airport same time it happened. He bought me a clot kit for Christmas that year. Lol

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[nickstevens2588]

Thats pretty gnarly! I figured there was a good story behind the pic. Thanks for sharing. I think that sometimes it takes something like your pic/story for SOME guys to realize how easy things can go wrong out in the field. I myself have been guilty of ending up mobile with a nocked arrow simply trying to get to a better position and I dont think theres many guys out there that can honestly say they NEVER move with an arrow nocked. But the reality is, in the moment lots can happen and it doesn't take much to end up in your position... great example of why a good med kit is a must!

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[JohnnyB]

Hunt the Backcountry podcast was pretty good. A lot to think about for sure. One thing I am changing this year is my inreach mini is usually clipped to my backpack but I am moving it to the bino harness so that I have can reach it without taking my pack off or in the event I have set my pack down it stays on me.

Life flight insurance is another issue I would like to know more about. Are there any Rokslide approved vendors of this coverage out there?

 

[Whitetoptom]

I was getting ready ask this question when I hit the search box. Reading through these posts and another thread has given me a few more ideas. I will be looking into the idea of some supplies for a more serious injury. I have been going through my kit this evening hoping to get out for the weekend soon.
On a longer trip in October I pulled the folding saw to the back of the thumb the first evening. I had pulled the tape out of my kit for a minor wound on an earlier trip and failed to replace it. After some improvising I got it secured but had to wear a glove for five days to keep the subpar bandage in place. Could have been much worse and would have required an evac for supplies for sure.
One thing that I carry is roughly 3 ounces of high test isopropyl alcohol. It seems to be beneficial for large scale disinfection before bandaging wounds.

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[rbljack]

like I mentioned earlier in my post when I broke down the contents....my first aid kit is coming in at 12-14 oz. Heavy? yeah...about 7 ounces more than it used to be. I hope I never need to use the severe trama stuff, but its there just in case. That extra few ounces (7 ounces or so) can save a life...possibly your own. Something to think about. Every year there are stories of broadhead cuts, knife cuts while processing animals, falls on rocks, head gash, etc. It CAN happen...and although I realize we cant protect ourself from every scenario, I think we can all take something from this type of post to improve our chances when something DOES go wrong, and it will.

Brian B....glad to see you missed the good stuff!

Here is a moment im not proud of. While turkey hunting I was bored and decided to sharpen my knife. Propped against a tree sitting there relaxing, I started using my sharpening stone with oil on it to hone the blade. It cut hair when I was checking for sharpness, so good to go right? To wipe the oil off, I used my pants (right at my inner thigh) to move the blade across my pants back and forth to get the oil off. Well...the tip came off my inner thigh as I made a stroke, and when I made the return stroke, jabbed that knife right into the meat of my inner thigh!! Now...picture this...knife buried into my pants.....asking myself....OH CRAP...now what?? Its in there good, do I pull it out....leave it. Im by myself, and this was before cell phones and inreach. I did end up pulling the blade out, pulled my pants down and began the first aid effort. Yep....DUMP move, I know it, and luckily can laugh about it now. If I hit that artery hard enough on my inner thigh (which I missed)...well I might not be typing this. I carry the extra 7 to 10 ounces!

As with Brian B, I luckily missed the good stuff! Bled a lot, but was able to walk out.

 

[KChunter71]

Great read so far


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[fngTony]

Does anyone have a conversation about need to know medical information with your partners just in case something happens? I’m just thinking someone gets cut and they are on blood thinner meds, that would change the scope of the situation.

 

[Outdoorsman12b]

Does anyone have a conversation about need to know medical information with your partners just in case something happens? I’m just thinking someone gets cut and they are on blood thinner meds, that would change the scope of the situation.

I think that's a given. The backcountry is no place for surprises like that. For example, one of my group members has diabetes and we watch him to make sure he is gtg. The guy just plows sugar like crazy so it's never been a problem lol.

 

[J.G.]

Hi guys, I have a little different perspective here that may be of some use. I’m a trauma surgeon, so I take some more specialized things, like sutures, etc with me. But for most people the best thing is knowledge of what to do. The American college of surgeons puts on a program called stop the bleeding, it was started by Lemworth Jacobs at Hartford Hospital, where I did my trauma fellowship. He’s a good guy and it’s a very valuable class to take. Here’s the link

https://cms.bleedingcontrol.org/class/search

There are lots of good, basic first aid books out there, probably something you can download on your phone to have if you need it. But I can stop almost any bleeding with direct pressure. That gives you time to get some supplies to make a nice bandage. I’d recommend carrying some 4x4 gauze, quick clot dressing, a gauze wrap, an ace wrap or two, and maybe some super Glue. Other stuff I always carry are Benadryl, some basic meds, Advil/Tylenol, neosporin, lots of leukotape, bandaids, steri strips, a pair of tweezers, and some duck tape. Duck tape and some sticks can make a decent splint. Some alcohol is good to clean things, but dumping a lot of water on a wound works better. A space blanket can also be quite useful as a blanket or tourniquet. Feel free to PM me with any questions, I’d love to try and help
Jim


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[Mike7]

Hi guys, I have a little different perspective here that may be of some use. I’m a trauma surgeon, so I take some more specialized things, like sutures, etc with me. But for most people the best thing is knowledge of what to do. The American college of surgeons puts on a program called stop the bleeding, it was started by Lemworth Jacobs at Hartford Hospital, where I did my trauma fellowship. He’s a good guy and it’s a very valuable class to take. Here’s the link

https://cms.bleedingcontrol.org/class/search

There are lots of good, basic first aid books out there, probably something you can download on your phone to have if you need it. But I can stop almost any bleeding with direct pressure. That gives you time to get some supplies to make a nice bandage. I’d recommend carrying some 4x4 gauze, quick clot dressing, a gauze wrap, an ace wrap or two, and maybe some super Glue. Other stuff I always carry are Benadryl, some basic meds, Advil/Tylenol, neosporin, lots of leukotape, bandaids, steri strips, a pair of tweezers, and some duck tape. Duck tape and some sticks can make a decent splint. Some alcohol is good to clean things, but dumping a lot of water on a wound works better. A space blanket can also be quite useful as a blanket or tourniquet. Feel free to PM me with any questions, I’d love to try and help
Jim


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Thank you Jim. Hopefully people will actually take this info to heart, which is based on real medical experience and knowledge. But limited real first aid knowledge combined with big fancy medical kits full of stuff that will never likely get used is a much more sexy proposition for most people I think.

 

[J.G.]

(813)720-3411
That’s my cell. If anyone gets injured out there needs help please call the local search and rescue first, but feel free to call me, I’ll help in any way I can. If I don’t answer leave a message and/or text. Or if you want to talk about any first aid type of stuff just text first so we can talk at a good time for both of us
Jim


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[GregB]

It's not technically a first aid item, but my Delorme InReach. If I'm in a situation I can't get myself out of I can hit the SOS and hopefully SAR can find me. With little or no training a first aid quick reference card or guide would be good too.

 

[eamyrick]

Work LE in Texas and have seen some pretty nasty injures, many that were accidents, not all were gunshots/blades though I've seen a fair amount of those also. I good combat casualty care (CCC) class is a great idea along with a solid kit. I have the same kit in my work bag, all vehicles, including my wife's, and in my pack whether I'm heading out for day or hours.

CAT TQ (I've tried them all and think the CAT is the easiest and most effective)
Combat Gauze (clotting agent impregnated in gauze)
Regular Gauze
Israeli bandage (these are great because it is sufficient for most serious wounds, and includes the ability to wrap and secure, as well as pad the area.
Small role of athletic tape
2-4 small bandages
tweezers
small shears (REI sells small shear and tweezers in a pack for $6
Pain reliever
something for stomach issues
Benadryl (to heavily does if you get a random reaction while you get out of the field, also super helpful for sleeping)

 

[Davebuech]

" I carry a small syringe to irrigate a deep cut and remove dirt, debris, etc to minimize infections. Iodine for cleaning the wound,"

^^^^^This^^^^^^

IMO this is one of the most overlooked pieces of first aid gear. 10% tincture of iodine to flush out all the stuff. You can have all the gauze/tape or glue/sutures in the world but if it's not clean when you dress it or close it, you'll get into trouble!