I just found out I need to replace my first aid kit due to water damage in the back of my cruiser (I need to figure out where the water came from as soon as I can get a dry day off, grrr), so I now get a chance to review what I had (lots of expired medicines) and prepare a new first aid kit. I am trying to keep the overall cost below $150 (plus the case I have already bought) to start with but may more later.
For my needs, I do some camping and several day trips a year that are outside cell phone coverage areas so help may not be particularly fast in arriving (although we do have CB and sometimes HAM radios with us). We always have more than one vehicle as well. We do have several children that normally go with us (ages 4-10) so that is also a factor (and the main reason I want extra burn care and cut/scrape stuff). My family doesn't have any severe allergies (yay!), but I do travel with a couple people that do (they bring their own epi-pens).
After reading thru several threads and other things, this is the direction I am leaning towards right now but want to get any thoughts before I pull the trigger on this.
My old kit was an Adventure Medical Kit "Outfitter" kit with some supplemental items. It had most of what I wanted and although I can find it still (here) I suspect that most items in it are expired since it is no longer made. Their replacement kit is the Grizzly ($70 at Amazon) which is almost the same and I am probably going to get it as a starting point for my new kit. There is a local pharmacy that has lots of individual and small packs of materials that I will price compare with first, but I expect this will be more cost effective as the starting point.
For a case, rather than the cloth bag the starter kit comes in I have a water-tight case for this and will use some reflective tape to make it very visible and obviously a first aid kit. I would have preferred a Pelican 1500 EMS but that is more than I want to spend. I am going to try to get just the top insert though.
AMK Grizzly Contents:
Additional Items I am wanting to add:
What am I missing? Is there anything else for a relatively basic first aid kit that you would bring with you? Anything specific for the children with us?
I saw some threads / recommendations with things like blood pressure cuffs, suture kits, ace collars, epi-pens, etc., but I have the training to use them. We do encourage people with severe allergies to bring what they need in case something happens. As I get more training I may decide to add some of the more specialized items but until that they aren't necessary.
For my needs, I do some camping and several day trips a year that are outside cell phone coverage areas so help may not be particularly fast in arriving (although we do have CB and sometimes HAM radios with us). We always have more than one vehicle as well. We do have several children that normally go with us (ages 4-10) so that is also a factor (and the main reason I want extra burn care and cut/scrape stuff). My family doesn't have any severe allergies (yay!), but I do travel with a couple people that do (they bring their own epi-pens).
After reading thru several threads and other things, this is the direction I am leaning towards right now but want to get any thoughts before I pull the trigger on this.
My old kit was an Adventure Medical Kit "Outfitter" kit with some supplemental items. It had most of what I wanted and although I can find it still (here) I suspect that most items in it are expired since it is no longer made. Their replacement kit is the Grizzly ($70 at Amazon) which is almost the same and I am probably going to get it as a starting point for my new kit. There is a local pharmacy that has lots of individual and small packs of materials that I will price compare with first, but I expect this will be more cost effective as the starting point.
For a case, rather than the cloth bag the starter kit comes in I have a water-tight case for this and will use some reflective tape to make it very visible and obviously a first aid kit. I would have preferred a Pelican 1500 EMS but that is more than I want to spend. I am going to try to get just the top insert though.
AMK Grizzly Contents:
Bandage Materials
9 - Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1" x 3"
7 - Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
2 - Bandage, Conforming Gauze, 3"
1 - Bandage, Elastic, Self Adhering, 2"
3 - Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 2" x 2", Pkg./2
3 - Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4" x 4", Pkg./2
2 - Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3" x 4"
Bleeding
1 - Gloves, Nitrile (Pair)
1 - Syringe, Irrigation, 20 cc, 18 Gauge Tip
Blister / Burn
1 - Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (14 pieces)
CPR
1 - Instructions, Easy Care CPR
Duct Tape
1 - Duct Tape, 2" x 50"
Fracture / Sprain
1 - C-Splint™, 4" x 36"
1 - Cohesive Elastic Bandage, 2"
1 - Bandage, Elastic with Velcro, 3"
2 - Bandage, Triangular
1 - Instructions, Easy Care Fracture & Sprain
Medical Information
1 - Comp. Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine
Instrument
3 - Thermometer, Disposable
Medication
4 - After Bite Wipe
4 - Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
2 - Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
4 - Diamode (Loperamide HCI 2 mg), Pkg./1
5 - Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
1 - Instructions, Easy Care Medications
Wound Care
8 - Antiseptic Wipe
1 - Cotton Tip Applicator, Pkg./2
1 - Instructions, Easy Care Wound
2 - Skin Tac Topical Adhesive Wipes
1 - Syringe, Irrigation, 20 cc, 18 Gauge Tip
1 - Tape, 1" x 10 Yards
4 - Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use
1 - Wound Closure Strips, 1/4" x 4", Pkg./10
1 - Register Your Kit card
2 - Orange 2" x 2" Biohazard Label
2 - 5" x 8" Ziplock Baggie
1 - Povidone Iodine 3/4 oz
Field/Trauma Kit
3 - Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4" x 4", Pkg./2
2 - Gloves, Nitrile (Pair)1 - Instructions, Easy Care Bleeding
1 - QuikClot Sport 25g
1 - Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
1 - Trauma Pad, 8" x 10"
1 - Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (14 pieces)
1 - CPR Face Shield
1 - EMT Shears, 4"
3 - Safety Pins
1 - Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
1 - Pencil
1 - Accident Report Form
1 - Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
2 - Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
4 - Antiseptic Wipe
1 - Dressing, Petrolatum, 3" x 3"
1 - Swat-T™ Tourniquet
1 - Orange 2" x 2" Biohazard Label
1 - 5" x 8" Ziplock Baggie
9 - Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, 1" x 3"
7 - Bandage, Adhesive, Fabric, Knuckle
2 - Bandage, Conforming Gauze, 3"
1 - Bandage, Elastic, Self Adhering, 2"
3 - Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 2" x 2", Pkg./2
3 - Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4" x 4", Pkg./2
2 - Dressing, Non-Adherent, Sterile, 3" x 4"
Bleeding
1 - Gloves, Nitrile (Pair)
1 - Syringe, Irrigation, 20 cc, 18 Gauge Tip
Blister / Burn
1 - Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (14 pieces)
CPR
1 - Instructions, Easy Care CPR
Duct Tape
1 - Duct Tape, 2" x 50"
Fracture / Sprain
1 - C-Splint™, 4" x 36"
1 - Cohesive Elastic Bandage, 2"
1 - Bandage, Elastic with Velcro, 3"
2 - Bandage, Triangular
1 - Instructions, Easy Care Fracture & Sprain
Medical Information
1 - Comp. Guide to Wilderness & Travel Medicine
Instrument
3 - Thermometer, Disposable
Medication
4 - After Bite Wipe
4 - Antihistamine (Diphenhydramine 25 mg)
2 - Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
4 - Diamode (Loperamide HCI 2 mg), Pkg./1
5 - Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
1 - Instructions, Easy Care Medications
Wound Care
8 - Antiseptic Wipe
1 - Cotton Tip Applicator, Pkg./2
1 - Instructions, Easy Care Wound
2 - Skin Tac Topical Adhesive Wipes
1 - Syringe, Irrigation, 20 cc, 18 Gauge Tip
1 - Tape, 1" x 10 Yards
4 - Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Single Use
1 - Wound Closure Strips, 1/4" x 4", Pkg./10
1 - Register Your Kit card
2 - Orange 2" x 2" Biohazard Label
2 - 5" x 8" Ziplock Baggie
1 - Povidone Iodine 3/4 oz
Field/Trauma Kit
3 - Dressing, Gauze, Sterile, 4" x 4", Pkg./2
2 - Gloves, Nitrile (Pair)1 - Instructions, Easy Care Bleeding
1 - QuikClot Sport 25g
1 - Trauma Pad, 5" x 9"
1 - Trauma Pad, 8" x 10"
1 - Moleskin, Pre-Cut & Shaped (14 pieces)
1 - CPR Face Shield
1 - EMT Shears, 4"
3 - Safety Pins
1 - Splinter Picker/Tick Remover Forceps
1 - Pencil
1 - Accident Report Form
1 - Aspirin (325 mg), Pkg./2
2 - Ibuprofen (200 mg), Pkg./2
4 - Antiseptic Wipe
1 - Dressing, Petrolatum, 3" x 3"
1 - Swat-T™ Tourniquet
1 - Orange 2" x 2" Biohazard Label
1 - 5" x 8" Ziplock Baggie
Additional Items I am wanting to add:
- CPR Mask (not just a flimsy face shield) - Already have this.
- Bee Sting Kit (I don't have to worry about snake bites or I would add a snake bite kit too)
- Poison Ivy Wipes
- Sunscreen - Already have this.
- Aloe Vera Gel with Lidocaine - Already have this.
- Eyewash and eyepads
- Hand sanitizer - Already have this.
- Fingertip bandages (in addition to more knuckle and regular bandages - superhero and princess bandaids are required.
) - Already have this.
- Derma-Bond (or superglue)
- Smaller steri-strips
- Smaller splints - Already have this.
- Some large burn pads (second skin or similar)
- Burn Aid Gel
- Instant Cold Packs
- Sterile Burn Sheets (for a clean work surface)
- Povidone Iodine swab sticks
- 2" and 3" Wide Self-Adhesive bandages - Already have this.
- Disposable Scalpels (2 sharp point, 2 round point)
- Small Box Q-Tips (travel pack) - Already have this.
- Emergency blankets and ponchos - Already have this.
What am I missing? Is there anything else for a relatively basic first aid kit that you would bring with you? Anything specific for the children with us?
I saw some threads / recommendations with things like blood pressure cuffs, suture kits, ace collars, epi-pens, etc., but I have the training to use them. We do encourage people with severe allergies to bring what they need in case something happens. As I get more training I may decide to add some of the more specialized items but until that they aren't necessary.
My grand daughter has me use one if I get a boo boo.