What is in your FAK?

[dewi]

Been away for a short camping trip and one of the many discussions included first aid kits.

I currently own 4... but they're all shop bought kits that range from a basic travel kit to a large family-orientated or group kit that I take on our family camping trips.

My intention is to build a kit of my own design to wear on my belt with an easy open case/bag that has the basics.

So whats in your first aid kit? Would you have to reduce your kit to wear it on your belt, and if so, what would your belt kit look like?

 

[tim_n]

A lot of first aid kit is very location dependent.

For a bimble in the woods over here:
Couple of plasters
Micropore tape
Bandage with padding
Triangular bandage, couple of pins
Steristrips
Crepe bandage
Face mask for AR.
Alcohol wipes.
tweezers

If I was going further, probably more of the same, plus a few pills (paracetamol) as well as tough cut scissors, burn kit, eye wash, mozzie repellant.

edit; rarely use the pins for anything other than securing stuff in my hammock, so they could be seen as optional. But they don't weigh much...

 

[KenThis]

I actually have two kits.

A basic cuts/scrapes/burns/blisters kit that I can put on my belt/pocket which can deal with any 'little' accidents.
Mainly plasters, antiseptic, tape, gauze, burn cream, needle (for splinters/blisters) etc.

A main kit that sits in the top of my pack and deals with any other 'bigger' accidents and illnesses.
Unfortunately I'm not as competent as I once was in first aid so my main FAK is probably not as involved as it should be.
I keep meaning to go on some new first aid courses and update my gear.
Main Kit has everything in the little kit plus some bigger dressings, bandages, tubigrip, etc.
Also all the general medications, painkillers, anti diarrhoea, constipation, anti histamines, bite cream, savlon etc.
Also mirror, scissors, magnifying glass, tweezers, safety pins, needles, spare lighter etc.

There was a very comprehensive FAK list already in the forums somewhere, if I find it again I'll add it....


http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79836

 

[Nice65]

Worth a site search, there have been several threads on this.

 

[TeeDee]

I Find more use for myself and anyone else tends to be as well as the basics some Basic Meds - Co-codamol , Anadin , Squit Tablets , Dextrose tabs for any one that may need a quick pick me up.

 

[bigbear]

There will always be a compromise for me between what I would like to have, and what I am prepared to carry everywhere. I know folk who carry flexible splints, I do not, ditto airways. I guess I need to maintain airways, which takes no kit other than perhaps a face mask, and stop big bleeds, which ambulance type or Israle dressings will do. Everything else will be done by the pros in case of a bad accident. I do carry aspirin in case of heart attack.
so what ghen to add for those little slips and trips etc? Well, plasters, compeed, anti histamines, tick tweezers, the lsit goes on and on !

 

[IC_Rafe]

More importantly, do you know how to use everything in your first aid kit . I know someone who has a full blown first aid kit with supplies for light surgery, yet the guy doesn't even know the basics of sterility, let alone what is an indication that you should start cutting in a body . Quite useless and in some cases dangerous (since those kind of people think they can help since they have a first aid kit, but make things worse because they have no knowledge).

 

[Corso]

superglue and quickclot......

 

[Leshy]

Various plasters ,
antiseptic wipes,
tea tree cream (1st aid cream),
1 pair of disposable gloves,
4 anti histamine tabs,
4x paracetamol,
2x Imodium tabs
iodine spray,
freeze spray (? For sprains etc),
2 field dressings ,
Triangular bandage and 3 smaller bandages.
1 eye pad and 2x saline solution,
Burns gel and some clingfilm,
trauma dressing,
Porous tape and scissors,
steristrips,
alcohol based hand gel,
2x Milton tablets
small nail clippers
Small tweezers and small head torch.

Comfrey leaves and a little honey in a pot is good to have too , antibacterial and antiseptic but I only carry those with other food items, and on longer outings.

 

[tim_n]

I think a few people didn't read the brief
"My intention is to build a kit of my own design to wear on my belt with an easy open case/bag that has the basics."

Some of you have very good strong belts and wide hips

 

[Leshy]

I think a few people didn't read the brief
"My intention is to build a kit of my own design to wear on my belt with an easy open case/bag that has the basics."

Some of you have very good strong belts and wide hips

Oh indeed , I'm sorry about that...
I carry it on my rucksack anyway so , my posts are null and void.
Sorry about misunderstanding...

 

[tim_n]

More importantly, do you know how to use everything in your first aid kit . I know someone who has a full blown first aid kit with supplies for light surgery, yet the guy doesn't even know the basics of sterility, let alone what is an indication that you should start cutting in a body . Quite useless and in some cases dangerous (since those kind of people think they can help since they have a first aid kit, but make things worse because they have no knowledge).

I used to contract for the NHS in a private ambulance - my skill level is pretty high, but you won't catch me doing any surgery. If you've got that ill in the UK, call an ambulance/mountain rescue. Jungles of Borneo different matter!

 

[IC_Rafe]

Comfrey leaves and a little honey in a pot is good to have too , antibacterial and antiseptic but I only carry those with other food items, and on longer outings.

Don't forget to make the distinction between natural honey and what you get in most supermarkets.

 

[Leshy]

Don't forget to make the distinction between natural honey and what you get in most supermarkets.

Absolutely! I get my Natural honey from the local producer , Wiltshire honey.
He's a character he is , but most helpful and knowledgeable man.

He's explained how the shop honey's are mixed with water etc.
Ours is pure honey, just filtered and left to set. Opaque and thick as you like , but it's delicious on toast too...

Since using local honey we've all but lost our pollen sensitivity, and none of us suffer from hay fever.
It's worked for the father in law as well who suffered terribly from the pollen allergies...

 

[bigbear]

OK, then how about this ? A certain mountain guide ran first aid courses where his advocated kit was.......cling film. It is sterile, string enough to use as a splint etc etc, and in fact two weeks ago we had a student with a nasty scald on his ankle which needed a hospital, so guess what I used to dress it for th journey there ? It got the approval of the casualty dept.......