What does a decent first aid kit really need ?

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Toddy

Mod
Mod
Jan 21, 2005
38,996
4,650
S. Lanarkshire
In light of Warthog1981's recent injury with an axe I've been thinking about the bits and pieces that I usually have in my first aid kits.
The little one in my day pack would have struggled to deal properly with that type of wound and I'm seriously thinking of adding a large field dressing to the kit.

Any other *musthaves* that ought to be in it ?

cheers,
Toddy
 

Rothley Bill

Forager
Aug 11, 2008
134
0
Rothley, Leicestershire
A large field dressing as you mentioned very useful. There is no need to go over the top or to take anything you are not sure about using, as it could make things worse :(

I carry a small dressing, large dressing, plasters, blister kit, Saline and a cool pack for taking the heat out of burns, cos we are not always near to a stream or river and you can use it for a number of possible injuries. amongst various other things that live in the kit like safety pins, steristrips et al.
 

warthog1981

Native
Jun 3, 2004
1,840
76
43
Fife
All you need is a cotton handkerchief and a sock and a bandage to stop it falling off ;)

But a large field dressing would have been ideal :D
 

sapper1

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Feb 3, 2008
2,572
1
swansea
Here's what I carry,an why.
A selection of different size plasters all waterproof, Most accidents are cuts and grazes.
1 metre of strip plaster ,not waterproof. Some accidents need more than a small plaster.
A cooling burn pad for large burns and some small burnpads ,also cooling . Most burns are to the fingers
A field dressing for big cuts.
A triangular bandage for broken or sprained arms,Also doubles as an extra wound dressing.
An eye bandage for eyes and as a small dressing
A tampon for pierce wounds.
Two small bandages for breaks and sprains,also (again a small dressing).
Tweezers for splinters.
A tick remover.
Painkillers
Anti-inflammatories.
Immodium
A tube of savlon
Anti histamines.
Blister cream and pads.

It seems like a lot to carry but any one of them can save a lot of pain and grief.
On the top of my first aid kit is an instruction leaflet just in case I'm unconcious.
 

shep

Maker
Mar 22, 2007
930
3
Norfolk
Not as much as people think.

If you are within a day's walk of help your first aid need only be very basic.

A large sterile field dressing is arguably unnecessary as the wound is far from sterile before it goes on.
A clean sock, scarf or torn off bit of cloth is ample to press on the wound. When you get to A+E, the wound will be properly cleaned before closure.
I also stopped carrying sachets of saline/antiseptic on the same basis. Wound/ eye irrigation can be done with boiled water from my canteen in the field before A+E do it properly.
For any sizeable wound problem you need way more irrigation than you would carry in a first aid kit. I like the idea of the burns pack if you are away from water, but that's rarely the case in this part of the world.

I carry:
Plasters, alcohol wipes and gaffa tape for blisters, small cuts and splintage.
Scalpel blades and sterile needles for blisters, splinters, nail haematomas (and possible heroics)

The drugs I carry are limited to minor ailments or lifesaving.

Painkillers
Antihistamines
Antacids
Antidiarrhoea
Aspirin
Pottasium permanganate (quick decontamination of lots of water)


I think that's it, I'll check it to see if I've forgotten anything. It all fits in the side pocket of my small possibles pouch.

Of course for a multi-day trip, this changes completely depending on the environment.
 

shep

Maker
Mar 22, 2007
930
3
Norfolk
Man I type slowly!

What happened to you Warthog?

With a bit of creativity, gaffa tape replaces:
triangular bandage
crepe bandage
blister dressings
 

shep

Maker
Mar 22, 2007
930
3
Norfolk
Ouch.

Like you posted though. Cotton hankerchief, sock etc. then get yourself to A+E. No real need for a field dressing if you're not too far from home.
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
Carry what you want but without training you are just peeing in the wind as has been said before on several threads regarding FAK's recently. Only carry your own medication or that of family members in your party, use your training and call for help.
 

MancsMan

Tenderfoot
Dec 26, 2008
56
0
Manchester
Small bottle of Oil of Cloves, if you have ever lost a filling, cracked tooth while miles from the nearest dentist you will understand why.........
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,143
2,880
66
Pembrokeshire
if you look at the Scottish New Year meet up thread you can see what I did shep :eek:

Oh boy - I bet that stung!

I carry a Web-tex medic pouch - the belt order one - filed with the kind of stuff you find in the 1st aid kits sold by the St Johns website.
A larger version - rucksack medics side pocket is in the van, a smaller one in my work bag, a mini one in my man bag, a micro one on my belt in camp, a "cuts" specific one in my workshop and a simplified but large one in my wifes car...
I just renewed the contents of them all all some items go past a "best before" date and I do not fancy being sued by some "get rich quick" lawyer type if some one whose life I save decides that the infection they got in a cut was due to my using an out of date dressing....
The refurb cost about £100.00....:(
 

locum76

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Oct 9, 2005
2,772
9
47
Kirkliston
its always worth having super glue for sealing small cuts. and as i only found out yesterday, super glue and cotton mixed together create an extreme exothermic reaction. that is, if you pour super glue onto cotton wool you can start a fire.
 

Ahjno

Vice-Adminral
Admin
Aug 9, 2004
6,861
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Rotterdam (NL)
www.bushcraftuk.com
its always worth having super glue for sealing small cuts. and as i only found out yesterday, super glue and cotton mixed together create an extreme exothermic reaction. that is, if you pour super glue onto cotton wool you can start a fire.

A note aside:
'Superglue' used in hospital to close wounds is different than the one you buy in a DIY store!
The DIY version should not be used to glue wounds.
:eek:
 

Scots_Charles_River

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Dec 12, 2006
3,277
41
paddling a loch
www.flickr.com
So a staple gun for that type of wound ?

If far away from help, that was the premis on my last course for every scenario, stemming blood and keeping shock at bay would the answer. Knowledge, as others have said helps more, a collins gem or other aide-memoire helps.

Nick
 

shep

Maker
Mar 22, 2007
930
3
Norfolk
A note aside:
'Superglue' used in hospital to close wounds is different than the one you buy in a DIY store!
The DIY version should not be used to glue wounds.
:eek:

Actually one of the types found in hospital is practically identical. There are also a few around that are not based on cyanoacrylate though.

I once heard that cyanoacrylate was originally developed by the US military in the 70's specifically as a wound closure, I don't know if that's fact though.

Anyway, I would not advocate closing or sealing any wounds in the field on a short trip as you are likely to be sealing more in than you are out.
 

rik_uk3

Banned
Jun 10, 2006
13,320
24
69
south wales
its always worth having super glue for sealing small cuts. and as i only found out yesterday, super glue and cotton mixed together create an extreme exothermic reaction. that is, if you pour super glue onto cotton wool you can start a fire.

Don't use household superglue please:rolleyes:
 

rancid badger

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
In light of Warthog1981's recent injury with an axe I've been thinking about the bits and pieces that I usually have in my first aid kits.
The little one in my day pack would have struggled to deal properly with that type of wound and I'm seriously thinking of adding a large field dressing to the kit.

Any other *musthaves* that ought to be in it ?

cheers,
Toddy

I ALWAYS carry at least one, f.f.d. or army issue field dressing, in a pocket if I'm out and about with edged tools. These are excellent, as they are of a size that is just about right and fully waterproof too. This is in addition, to a small kit which goes with even a swiss army knife. If I'm out with the family or a small group, I carry several, in my kit.

I must echo rik_uk3 in both his post's in this thread by the way!

cheers
R.B.
 

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