Med kit

[ashtont]

Do you go light on first aid? If so what does your guys first aid kids look like.

 

[QuickTrigger7]

I go light on first aid. I always bring an Epi-pen, Benadryl, and a few ibuprofen. I believe first aid kits should match the type of hunt and the hunter's medical conditions.

 

[Speaks]

Benadryl, some clotting trauma pads, some tape, alcohol wipes. I think thats most of whats in it.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Satellite Communicator: Garmin Inreach Mini and/or Iphone 14 or Newer
Tourniquet: CAT Tourniquet- ORANGE
Hemostatic Dressing: CELOX packets x3 (I honestly think a quickclot combat gauze would be a better replacemnt for both the celox and the s-gauze)
Skin Glue: Dermabond
ABD Pads (x2)
S-Rolled Gauze
Leuko Tape
a few Miscellaneous Bandaids
Medications: Tylenol,Benadryl, Consider a stronger pain medication
Bug Wipe

all this is a ziplock bag is 7.5oz. I use a ziplock because it is light, waterproof, easy access, and I can see the contents (as can anyone giving me aid)

I sort first aid gear into two categories: 1) make me more comfortable (bandaid, dermabond, leukotape) and 2) get out alive: Celox, tournaqet, abd pads. Everything in the middle where I plan to leave the field but won't kill me in the meantime I don't worry about too much (sprains, moderate cuts, etc)

some way to communicate is going to be the most important thing. No matter what, you are going to need rescue or quick medical attention for lots of possible issues.

 

[Marbles]

Light on first aid specific gear, heavy on knowledge.

Most first aid kits are really comfort kits.

The key questions are:
1. Do you know when to extract and have a method of communicating?
2. Can you treat and prevent hypothermia? My shelter and sleep system are part of my first aid kit.
3. Can you manage heat injury?
4. Can you manage dehydration?
5. Do you have a good chance of stopping major bleeding that can be stopped in the field?
6. Can you manage an airway?
7. Can you manage chest trauma and tension pathology?

There are many ways to do most of those things. Some require more knowledge than others. Most can be achieved without dedicated gear, but will be easier with equipment designed for the task.

Edit:
8. Can you reasonably stabilize a fracture to minimize further damage?

 

[Marbles]

CELOX packets x3 (I honestly think a quickclot combat gauze would be a better replacemnt for both the celox and the s-gauze)

Why?

QuickClot is a mineral based agent that only activates a functional clotting cascade.

Celox is a chitin based product that will form a clot without a functional clotting cascade.

There are other reasons I prefer chitin based products, but the above hits on the most important.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Why?

QuickClot is a mineral based agent that only activates a functional clotting cascade.

Celox is a chitin based product that will form a clot without a functional clotting cascade.

There are other reasons I prefer chitin based products, but the above hits on the most important.

I admittedly don’t know a ton about the reaction differences in the two, and perhaps a celox impregnated gauze would be best of all options. I think that the seperate celox powder and a rolled gauze pad has a bit more “fiddle” factor which could make it harder or less effective to apply. I worry about being able to get the powdered celox deep into a wound if needed vs being able to pack in an already impregnated gauze.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Light on first aid specific gear, heavy on knowledge.

Most first aid kits are really comfort kits.

The key questions are:
1. Do you know when to extract and have a method of communicating?
2. Can you treat and prevent hypothermia? My shelter and sleep system are part of my first aid kit.
3. Can you manage heat injury?
4. Can you manage dehydration?
5. Do you have a good chance of stopping major bleeding that can be stopped in the field?
6. Can you manage an airway?
7. Can you manage chest trauma and tension pathology?

There are many ways to do most of those things. Some require more knowledge than others. Most can be achieved without dedicated gear, but will be easier with equipment designed for the task.

Edit:
8. Can you reasonably stabilize a fracture to minimize further damage?

This. 100%. However if I loose an airway or get a pneumo I just assume I am as good as dead unless help can arrive quickly anyway.

 

[Marbles]

I admittedly don’t know a ton about the reaction differences in the two, and perhaps a celox impregnated gauze would be best of all options. I think that the seperate celox powder and a rolled gauze pad has a bit more “fiddle” factor which could make it harder or less effective to apply. I worry about being able to get the powdered celox deep into a wound if needed vs being able to pack in an already impregnated gauze.

Yes on impregnated gauze. I dislike the idea of fiddling with power.

 

[IDVortex]

Interesting topic, one ive been lightly researching.

 

[Fatcamp]

In my pack is a tourniquet and stuff to stop a serious bleed, blister stuff, and some bandaids. At camp there is some of about everything.

 

[ni7ne]

Yes.
Sam Splint
Tape

 

[justinspicher]

It’s pretty small, not to be lightweight, but more just out of the way. I hunt inside a road system and have cell coverage.

Few assorted bandaids
Neosporin
Tape
Tweezers
TQ

 

[Poser]

My first aid kit has grown considerably over the last few years. I've had some very close calls with potentially significant injuries in the deep backcountry. I also do a lot of backcountry skiing which carries a significant risk for injury and I am familiar with some fatalities in the same areas that I have skied where key items such as Nasopharygeal Airway, tourniquets, chest seals etc would have potentially changed the outcome. Lot of different schools of thought, but I am increasingly less impressed with cavalier attitudes.

 

[ni7ne]

My first aid kit has grown considerably over the last few years. I've had some very close calls with potentially significant injuries in the deep backcountry. I also do a lot of backcountry skiing which carries a significant risk for injury and I am familiar with some fatalities in the same areas that I have skied where key items such as Nasopharygeal Airway, tourniquets, chest seals etc would have potentially changed the outcome. Lot of different schools of thought, but I am increasingly less impressed with cavalier attitudes.

This sort of highlights how environment-based it is.

In a different biome, breaks are the most common life-threatening injury, and dehydration/exposure is the most common fatality. NPAs probably have value for catastrophic back/spine but treatment for lacerations / blood loss are statistically insignificant if you talk to SAR, yet they are in every fak. Nearly every amount of weight other than water decreases survivability in this scenario.

 

[Marbles]

My first aid kit has grown considerably over the last few years. I've had some very close calls with potentially significant injuries in the deep backcountry. I also do a lot of backcountry skiing which carries a significant risk for injury and I am familiar with some fatalities in the same areas that I have skied where key items such as Nasopharygeal Airway, tourniquets, chest seals etc would have potentially changed the outcome. Lot of different schools of thought, but I am increasingly less impressed with cavalier attitudes.

My questions are seriously directed at learning and seeing if I might have a blind spot. I say that because I worry they might come across wrong.

How would an NPA make the difference?
Is it because the people lacked knowledge of positional airway management?
Is is because positional management failed?
Is it because positional management was not possible?
Was more advanced airway management needed, such as a supraglottic, or other options?

 

[fngTony]

Interesting topic, one ive been lightly researching.

Pun intended?

Mine probably too light, something I’m revamping. How people classify their items plays into it, for example, I don’t consider my satellite messenger a first aid item. I have it listed as an emergency item or electronic item. Also one’s personal medication should never be skimped on for the sake of counting grams. How remote you’re going to be is another factor a drop in hunt in Alaska in my mind necessitate a more expansive kit.

 

[Poser]

My questions are seriously directed at learning and seeing if I might have a blind spot. I say that because I worry they might come across wrong.

How would an NPA make the difference?
Is it because the people lacked knowledge of positional airway management?
Is is because positional management failed?
Is it because positional management was not possible?
Was more advanced airway management needed, such as a supraglottic, or other options?

In the example I am thinking of, the person had multiple injuries after being buried in an avalanche and their mouth and throat were completed plugged with snow, of which the partner had a difficult and rather time consuming task of doing manually while trying to avoid further complicating a neck injury.