GSW 's and Med/first aid kits

I am a first responder but I have never had to deal with a GSW. I am putting together a small med kit to go on my battle belt. What do you think that I should put in said med pack ?
also need some stuff for basic injuries but I can cover that...

so far:
gloves
4x4's
tape
ziploc bags
shears
sof tourniquet
sharpie
bandages
celox gauze

Chest seal and Quick-Clot are always good to have.

I guess I could use chest seals that is what the ziploc bag is for but Hyfin chest seal would be better.

I think Scottv is doing a field medic class this month that focuses on stuff like that. Don't remember specifics but saw it posted recently.

You are far more likely to experience someone needing CPR than a gsw. I would suggest some sort of CPR barrier device be added. The above poster had it right with ditching the dressing supplies because when medics arrive the first thing they are going to do is rip all of the dressing crap off to expose the wound. The most important thing for anyone to do in the event of a gunshot wound is control bleeding untill more trained medical personelle arrive. The best way to control bleeding is by ample direct pressure.

I've heard of tampons being used for emergency GSW patches.

Medic, can you explain your reasoning a little more? And what us celox gauze? Is there anything else to be added?

I bought a couple of those quick clot kits that have that have quick clot and gloves and such in there. Not sure what else would be needed. My gsw first aid would follow Eric's advice.

1 if it's wet and not yours, don't touch it.
2 if you find a hole plug it
3 send some one for hot water.....still don't under stand this one :-)

Celox gauze is treated with the Celox hemostatic agent.

MedicOC listed what I have in my battle belt kit.

Gauze for packing/wrapping.. TQ to stop a really bad bleed. Gloves to keep from getting infected. Shears to get beneath the clothing and do the work.

Because the space is limited....I just put the stuff in there that's for me, quick to get out, easy to use.

And everyone remember to practice applying your TQ.

Seth, Celox gauze has clotting agent in it,, which makes the packing job easier, less gauze use. We have it in the shop, along with everything else for blowout kit.

So is celox and quick clot the same thing?

They perform the same task, however I do believe they're proposed of different chemical agents.

I could be dead wrong, but that's my understanding of it.

Couldnt say it better myself. First thing we learn is not to take bystanders word for assesments on these things. Hafta know what your dealing with to treat it. 4x4s or ABD pads and gloves is about all you want to do in a pinch. New CPR guidelines are pushing compressions instead of breathing because people are more likely to do it without breathing mouth to mouth. Tourniquets have their place but I've taken waaay to many off because people do that instead of pressure. Keep it simple and small. Trauma is easy.... see a hole, cover a hole.

This. Different formulas, same purpose.

I have QuikClot. And a tourniquet. These go with me in my kit (which is pretty thorough) every time I go shooting.

Some say it is unecessary to carry these, and others will get downright butthurt on the subject of hemostatics and tourniquets in the hands of lesser beings.

But I will tell you this, If I'm injured and bleeding profusely, someone better be putting something on me ASAP if I'm unable to do it myself!
If you wait for my wound to clot on its own you are letting me bleed to death. It's not gonna happen.



I also put QuikClot in the company first aid kit at work, and made sure everyone knew why.



Thank you, Jose Cuervo . . .

Yes, I do have CPR and keep it up as I was an active volunteer with McDonough FD until the new mayor came in and stopped all volunteers from riding trucks and going on calls. at least I still get to raid the med closet
http://www.celoxmedical.com/prods_gauze.htm

I just want to add this to the discussion. If you are going to carry any of these items on you and at have the desire use them you need to be trained on the proper use. If you are not properly trained to use tourniquets DO NOT attempt to use one. They can be used in life threatening situations where there is a large arterial bleed, but not properly used can be more dangerous than the injury itself. There are two types of bleeding, arterial and venous, and sometimes its tough to recognize if you are not used to seeing both. GA does have a good Samaritan law in place but if you are attempting advanced medical practice and are not teained you can be held liable for damage done as the result of your actions. I put on tourniquets multiple times every day in surgery and they are closely watched and monitored throughout. Again direct pressure THE BEST treatment for active bleeding in the field.

This is not directed at the OP just anyone reading thinking that they need theses items in their kit.

Another thing I read in the thread was about gloves preventing infection. That is untrue. Gloves are for Your protection only. The field is not a sterile environment.
Just remember, if it's wet and it's not yours don't touch it without gloves.

If you ever find yourself in a situation call 911 ASAP. Make sure the person can maintain their airway. If there is bleeding stop it with direct pressure. If there is suspected spinal cord injury DO NOT move the person unless they are in immidate danger.

The MOST important item to have in any kit is YOU being properly trained.

Again I just want to make sure everyone knows my previous post was not directed at foreman2000. It was just a generalized statement toward anyone interested.

Yes I am trained and do keep up my certifications and attend training exercises at the local FD I am certified Georgia Firefighter NPQ1,First Responder,First Aid,CPR,Haz_Mat and Vehicle Extrication. Just so that it is known yes you have to use care when using a tourniquet. I have used one before when a mexican fell of a roof and landed on a piece of rebar that punctured his femoral artery dont know if the limb made it or not we life flighted hin to Atlanta Med... Not a pretty sight always you should never go above and beyond what you are trained to do. A tourniquet is right at the edge of my training.

Also @ MedicOC the Sharpie is used to mark the time on the forehead of when the tourniquet was placed is that not correct anymore ?

Foreman

IMO I think you should use the KISS method. In what environment do you anticipate the need for your kit? I like streamlining med gear.

If your goal is to put this kit on your battle belt I would consider:

Gloves
Sheers
Israeli dressing (4 or 6 inch), or Kerlix w/ Ace wrap
Hyfin or Bolin chest seals (Bolins usually come two to a pack)
CAT Tx
Naso Airway
Triangular Bandage(s)

I am not a huge proponent of hemostatic agents such as Quickclot or Celox unless it is a large laceration/would. Bleeding can effectively be controlled via tourniquet or pressure dressing.

I suggest a CAT Tx over a SOF Tx because a CAT is lighter and more streamline than the SOF.

Depending where you are, know what medical assets are available. Have your small kit on you, but also have something a little bigger and more equipped in your vehicle or close by.

I hope this helps

again like i said in the post above this. My posts was not directed at you.

there are guys out there that we all have seen that show up with full battle rattle on and a portable hospital in tow and they have NO medical training. I was only making a point to others that may read this thread and feel they also need these supplies in their kit.

it is very good that you keep up with your certifications and training. i know you know guys you work with that dont and they are the ones who give everyone else a bad name. On the same side of the coin are Nurses that work on the floor or doctors office and try to help in trauma situations just because they are an RN but they have no freaking clue what they are doing in the field.

as far as the sharpie on the forehead, I have never had a trauma patient arrive in the trauma bay with stuff written on them in sharpie.


hope my previous posts did not make you think i was attacking you and if they did im sorry as that was not my intentions.

Med-kits can get bulky fast. Keep it simple, keep it accessible, and keep it on you.

Gloves, tourniquet, shears, Isreali bandage for me.

I keep a bigger kit in my pack with more Isreali bandages, some pulky packing material, basic airway equipment, chest needles, motrin, benadryl.

I know I just wanted to state that so that others would not think I was just some joe off the street who thinks he is some kind of Rescue Randy.
I wonder why they told us to do so it must have been something the used to do... You know due to budgets and other things you dont always get the most up to date books
Also I have not seen it in the field or heard anything about doing so in the past year or so... I cant stand people who try to go above and beyond their training or the one who get a certification and do nothing to continue their learning.

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