Posted: 7/31/2010 4:04:24 AM EDT
|
Finally came to the conclusion that once I hit carry the camera mode, I was carrying too much stuff for my pockets so bought myself a very small day pack basically good size camera case size which bought me a little more room for other things. First thing I wanted to add was a mini-First Aid kit, your basic cut, scratch insect bite, poison IVY thing.
This set me out on a quest to find the right little basic kit to augment. Now on this type thing, typically the bigger issue isn't what's in the kit to start with but the carry system, box/pouch etc. is big enough to put augmented gear into and it has to be tough enough to take being banged around by other gear. Everyone, at least the normal places one would expect, seems to carry these pocket first aid kits but man the carry systems are typically very cheap not really suitable for a pack environment or packed so tight you couldn't squeeze anything else in there. Frustrated, I did something I seldom do. I went to Walmart and found this little kit for $5.88. Coleman Pocket First Aid Kit I really liked the neat little backpack design, it was a flexible size, clip on to something option, as well as buckle over the zipper (zippers break). At home, I augmented it with my usual does multiple tasks stuff. Benedryl (Sleep aid and allergy depressant which is good for runny nose, bee sting, to poison ivy basically anywhere an allergic reaction is a concern) Iodine bottle (scratch treatment and if you have to water treatment) Buttery Flies ( a few more than the four in the kit) Motrin (augment the headache minor pain med) Blister Bandages (A must for walking a lot these bandages have a hard shell that both threats the blister and keeps shoes from rubbing them more.) Refresh (small bottle of eye fluid for those I get a bug in my eye moments) ...........and my standard in kits now, small tube of "Foille". My father having worked in making steel, this has been a standard in my life. Its a lanocaine base antiseptic salve, which if you think about that a minute is a hell a thing. Its simply fantastic for simple burns but works equally as well on cuts and takes the itch away from insect bites or other allergic skin reactions like poison ivy. Now of course, if I'm above anything than a finger cut, I'm into make my own bandage from clothing but then with enough antiseptic salve that most definitely is not as bad a no no as most would think. All this stuff fit in there actually with more room left for a few more items as I think of them. Its a nice little pocket kit. Tj |
|
IMHO, these are great little starter kits, to be added to. I bought the one that is the next size up, I think it was around $8. This is the FAK that I use in my EDC, it has some more stuff added like moleskin and other ointments (sting ease, poison ivy etc), I have two kids with me most of the time. The bg is great and easy to find in my larger bag. I think it is great as long as the person knows that it needs to be modified a little bit.
Edited to add: I meant to add that this is a "self aid kit" or a large "boo-boo" kit, my first aid needs are meet by the multiple bandanas and gorilla tape/super glue. I also have a trauma kit that stays on my hunting gear and one more on my bag that I carry to the range. These kits are custom built with products from Chinook Medical, and housed in a USMC IFAK type bag. TR |
|
Quoted:
TJ is this in sporting goods or the first aid/meds area? TIA Sporting goods. I purposely set out for a "Hiking" kit hoping I could find one smaller than a hiking, "Pocket Size". To my surprise, they had two. One was a rigid shell though that would have limited upgrades. This little sucker cried, minimum stuff add to me. |