Homemade First Aid Kit

[SubmarineNuke]

Yeah that's what the military taught me, but a sharpie could def come in handy in other situations and won't take up much space.

Great comments on training, and knowing how to use these kits. That is definitely the most important part. Most people don't rise to the occasion, they fall back on training

I’m former USN, but even in Boy Scouts in the 80’s that was the method. I’ve been through a few different first aid courses over the years. I was PADI Rescue Diver certified back in the 90’s (technically that doesn’t expire), did offshore survival and egress training both in the Gulf of Mexico, and the North Sea, Res Cross first aid/CPR certified more times than I can count. Plus military training that never stops . I won’t claim to be an expert as there’s always someone with more or better training, but at least I got the basics….now let’s seal up that sucking chest wound! I got duct tape!

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[TXscooterguy]

A friend who used to build first aid kits for special forces built mine. The first thing you see in the kit is gloves, glasses and an N95 mask. He drummed into me that you need to protect yourself as you help others.

 

[Ground_zero298]

You also need a sharpie in that kit, or at least something to write the time and location of the tourniquet if applied. I always see people get the tourniquet but not know how to use it properly or know about writing the time down, typically on the forehead in 24hr format.

Sharpies good for circling bug/spider bites too.

 

[Havoc1]

Dating myself here: we used to just say use the victims blood. If there’s a need for a tourniquet, there’s enough blood

Are you really dating yourself though? It's still taught like that lol, it's just strongly recommended to use a sharpie since apparently you get other diseases through blood? Everybody knows it's bad smells that transfer diseases.

 

[SubmarineNuke]

Are you really dating yourself though? It's still taught like that lol, it's just strongly recommended to use a sharpie since apparently you get other diseases through blood? Everybody knows it's bad smells that transfer diseases.

Well you’re wearing gloves now right? . Back then nobody considered gloves. Your buddy was bleeding out, save his damned life! Sorry, old vet coming through.

 

[TXscooterguy]

Your buddy was bleeding out, save his damned life!

Family members, buddies - damn the gloves - help them. A perfect stranger - gloves, glasses and an N95 mask then help them.

 

[TXscooterguy]

Well you’re wearing gloves now right? . Back then nobody considered gloves. Your buddy was bleeding out, save his damned life! Sorry, old vet coming through.

Back then they didn't have Monkey Pox.

 

[PghBronco]

I see a lot of first aid kit ads (e.g. My Medic) come across some of my social media pages and while some of them look nice and appear to be good quality, you can save yourself a significant amount of money my assembling a first aid kit yourself. Plus, I think that by assembling a kit yourself you'll be more familiar with what you have and where it's located, which could save precious seconds in a life and death situation.

I keep this kit strapped to my tailgate table molle panel, next to my 3lb ABC fire extinguisher. I think my tourniquet, combat dressings, and seatbelt cutter/window punch are probably my most important 3 items. I'd be interested to see what others keep in their rigs and if there's anything I'm missing.

Great starter kit, If I may add some recommendation(s)?
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, I am certified trainer in Stop the bleed, and I've taken a couple CLS classes in the military days, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. So fact check me away and cross reference.

-Your TQ, don't wrap the gray strap over it, Just leave that unwrapped (open the gray tab and velcro just before the opening of the windlass to make a loop). It doesn't sound like a big deal but under high stress seconds matter. Fine motor skills diminish. Open, cinch, twist, secure.
-You mention quick clot has an expiration date. I've been told that past the date its still effective.
-I would add more gauze. You may know (or not) one can pack a lot of gauze in a wound and you still may need more.
-Excellent job on separating your items by types of wounds. I.E bleeding section, meds, etc. Maybe a red sharpie and you can write the on the side which is which so if someone besides yourself grabs the kit they know where to go.
-My med bag I have a couple Israeli bandages, those work very well, although they take up some space.

 

[TXscooterguy]

Great starter kit, If I may add some recommendation(s)?
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, I am certified trainer in Stop the bleed, and I've taken a couple CLS classes in the military days, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. So fact check me away and cross reference.

-Your TQ, don't wrap the gray strap over it, Just leave that unwrapped (open the gray tab and velcro just before the opening of the windlass to make a loop). It doesn't sound like a big deal but under high stress seconds matter. Fine motor skills diminish. Open, cinch, twist, secure.
-You mention quick clot has an expiration date. I've been told that past the date its still effective.
-I would add more gauze. You may know (or not) one can pack a lot of gauze in a wound and you still may need more.
-Excellent job on separating your items by types of wounds. I.E bleeding section, meds, etc. Maybe a red sharpie and you can write the on the side which is which so if someone besides yourself grabs the kit they know where to go.
-My med bag I have a couple Israeli bandages, those work very well, although they take up some space.

I've thrown it a squeeze bottle of saline eye wash and a bunch of ABD dressings. I told friends I included a can of beer and bag of Cheetos in the kit because if I'm going to be sitting with the dude until help arrives I may get the munchies.

 

[PghBronco]

I've thrown it a squeeze bottle of saline eye wash and a bunch of ABD dressings. I told friends I included a can of beer and bag of Cheetos in the kit because if I'm going to be sitting with the dude until help arrives I may get the munchies.

Saline wouldn't hurt, if you're gonna do that. You must make sure its sterile for reuse and or one and done small bottles.

 

[TXscooterguy]

Saline wouldn't hurt, if you're gonna do that. You must make sure its sterile for reuse and or one and done small bottles.

Yup, the saline, beer and Cheetos should all be one and done. And if you lose your Sharpie you can always write the "tourniquet time" on the dudes forehead with a Cheeto.

 

[SubmarineNuke]

Back then they didn't have Monkey Pox.

Just AIDS in its infancy

 

[DaveInSA]

I bought a basic trauma kit from Skinny Medic on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SkinnyMedic
Then added more first-aid type supplies to make a mix for anything from boo boos to gun shot wounds. I'm definitely not a medic and have no official training beyond cpr, so a lot of watching youtube videos on what supplies are important was done as well as talking with some friends that are EMS.

His site is now Medical Gear Outfitters, and they even have a 'overlander' kit:
https://medicalgearoutfitters.com/collections/large-kits/products/overlander-first-aid-kit

Whatever you use, make sure you learn how to use the things in your kit. How and when to use tourniquets especially.

 

[Its Brawnco]

How and when to use tourniquets especially.

For use only on abdomen and head wounds

 

[BluebroncoNC]

I carry a 3 day bag in all my vehicles... Wife is an RN, only thing she insisted on is a mask for cpr breathing to the kits I put together. Very similar to OP's.

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