Posted: 10/10/2005 10:59:21 PM EDT
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Do you have one at home, in a decent case that you can just grab and run with if something bad happened outside your house? I don't, and I've been buying some things to put into one because of that. Up to now, I've had bandages, etc, scattered in a few different places around the house, bathrooms and garage. I want to consolidate them. I've settled on using a Pelican 1400 case to store it all in. They don't make any cases red except for their micro series, so I sent an email asking them if they might consider adding it to their lineup for the specific purpose of being a first aid kit case. Since I started my project, I've thought that it would be nice to give one to my brother, sisters and parents as well, so I've started looking online for supplies since it's much cheaper buying them in bulk than in a store. I found a decent site - www.e-firstaidsupplies.com/ - that has some good prices. Maybe they're not the best, though. Anyone know of a better one? I'm hoping to have them all put together within a month or so. I'm trying to keep track of what I spend on things so I know what the overall cost of it is. One of the things I'm definitely planning on putting into mine is QuikClot. At this point I estimate each kit's going to end up costing around $200, including the $54 cost of the case. |
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Don't know why this didn't get jumped on? I'll take a guess, though. There are quite a few ARFcommers that are true medics/EMTs and could probably patch up HumptyDumpty with a sewing kit. And some of us would rather hump 90 full mags & 17 latest Surefire attatchments into the next firefight we stumble onto. But my real guess is that most of us are just a bit more ignorant of current and comprehensive first aid than we're comfortable admitting. I am, I confess. I have a BlackHawk roll with bandages, antiseptic, saline, gauze, gloves, shears, and forceps. I can "use" that much anyway if I come up on an accident. What I wish I had, was more basic First Aid training besides UncSam's annual CPR class at work. I'll look at your post a bit closer. Thanks for your thoughts . Stay safe |
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Know when to use Quickclot and when not to- unless you are planning to use this kit for a SHTF or TEOTWAWKI scenario I would probaby skip it and spend the money on something else. Here's a couple of other sites for you too in no particular order: www.chinookmed.com/index.php www.allmed.net/ www.rescuespecialists.com/ www.narescue.com/index.html Be sure to get some training to go along with this- the Red Cross and others offer First Aid classes. |
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I have a first aid kit in my house that I put together in a tupperware type shoebox and I have one for my car and the suburban. The one in the sub has the most stuff in it and I bring it with me when ever I go hunting [the kit, not the sub]. It has a stapler for the dogs as well as needle and thread. My goal is to have something in each car. I can't believe how many places I've been [such as dog trials and sporting events] where there was no first aid kit. I had to run to my car to get mine. Patty |
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Keep a paratroopers LC-1 with added bonus items at work. keep 2 more in each car. M-3 medic bag at home/ with added bounus features. also a generic 1st aid kit for normal scrapes and stings. I gave my wife a loaded waterproof (similar to pelecan) 2x4x8 box, has lots of meds, for headache, menstral stuff ect. and a few bandaids, tripple antibiotic to keep in her desk at work. I don't see a need for the quick clot, effective use of a tourniqute is equal in my book and a lot cheaper. ymmv. |
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My home kit is not quite complete, instead of a purpose-designed case, I just use a Goretex backpack that used to be my range bag. It's stocked as well as I can afford but still needs a few things. We had to use it three times for wounds that would have required a hospital. My wife has been my go to person when I need medical attention, she's usually much closer than the ER and much cheaper. She is very good at stitching and immediate first aid, and now she won't go on a trip without the first aid bag, especially when we are far away from help. I also have a small kit in my ALICE pack. I'm sure a fair number of members here -many being former military- have better than average training in first aid and life saving. |
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In my backpack, for back-country trips, the essentials are: Steri-Strips (butterfly closures(?)) work like stitches Gauze pads for serious bleeding Medical tape tweezers moleskin Betadine - antiseptic & water purifier Ace bandage Ibuprofen for pain Imodium for diarrhea Adrenaline for allergic reactions (Packed in an I.V. drip bag, which is simply a super-heavy-duty plastic bag, quiet and flexible, easy to pack.) I add more gauze pads, that self-cling-wrap-stuff, scissors, and hemostats to the kits in my truck and boat. Clear Pelican cases are perfect for those. I have a much more comprehensive one for the house. |
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Current EMT-I, and my wife is an EMT-B. If it's a home kit, I'd personally skip the Pelican case. Don't get me wrong, that's a really nice set-up, but what's the point? How much abuse is it going to be subject to? Our car kits are in fishing tackle cases. Mine is hard, hers is soft. Wait for a sale and you can pick up a nicely-compartmented case for $10 or so, complete with carrying handles, plastic divider boxes for band-aids, etc. Your post reminds me I need to assemble a home first-aid kit! 
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www.cases4less.com has red pelican 1400's in red! |
Damn, they're even cheaper there than what I'd found. I hadn't bought mine yet, so thanks a bunch for the heads up!
I see they have a photo of it, but I can't seem to find red in the ordering options.  Might have to call them.
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The stapler's a great idea. Hadn't thought of that one. My dog has a habit of running headstrong into anything. Last fall he tore open a 2" gash into his right upper leg. Vet cost $700 for that one and afterward I told Bo (my Brittany Spaniel), "next time, I'm getting a stapler." I'd forgotten all about that until now. |
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As for wanting to use the Pelican case, my reasoning is that I plan on using it a lifetime, it's waterproof, I can throw it around not worry about it, and once opened, it gives easy visible access to everything inside, rather than just throwing everything into a nylon bag that you have to dig through. I emailed Cases4Less... they're out of the red 1400 cases. 
Yeah. I suppose you never had staples to close a laceration? |
| I have one of these Atwater Carey kits. I bought it either at Gander Mtn or Galyans. I refill it with items as needed. I take it pretty much everywhere I go. |
Nope. I kinda new is was about that, I just didn't know you could buy them. |
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Here is a list of that my 4 wheel drive club recomends. Here is a list of what should be carried in a complete first aid kit. The kit should be designed to cope with problems when medical service is hours or days away. In addition to the kit people should take a wilderness 1st aid course. Most first aid classes are taught with the assumption that medical attention is minutes away. Wilderness classes teach what to do when medical help is days away. Many junior colleges offer wilderness classes. Standard First Aid Kit - The cheap $10 kind Knife Safety Scissors- Good ones to cut clothing away Matches Plastic bags Soap Tweezers Heat/Cold Packs 12 to 60cc syringe - Great for flushing out wounds Tape - Duct and medical Small Bottle of Aspirin Bottle of children's aspirin Roll of Tums Blister kit Pepto Bismo tablets 2 Small ace bandages Topical antibiotic cream - such as Neosporin Large ace bandage Deck of Cards Mirror/signal device Batteries - whatever size your flashlight takes A good first aid book - not the free ones places give away. Plan to spend $5 to $20 Sunscreen Non-Stick Gauze Pads - 2" x 2" and 4" x 4" Syrup of Ipecac - Most first aid classes tell you not to use this. That is true if you can get help in minutes. But if you need to wait hours for help then use it Occlusive Dressings - an excellent dressing when you want to keep a wound dry in a wet environment. Care must be taken to remove these dressings during rest periods to help promote healing in a prolonged context. Examples include Bioclusive and Tegaderm Triangular bandages and safety pins - you can make your own Triangular bandages by cutting old sheets into 2' x 2' squares. Carry at least 3 of them Female Sanitary napkins - These work very well for major injuries. Place one over the wound and wrap with an ace bandage 4 sets of Latex gloves - 1 pair should be kept with reach of the drivers seat. This will allow you to put them on very quickly. You never want to touch a bleeding stranger without latex gloves Prescription Pain pills - If you are on good terms with your doctor get a prescription for 4 pain pills. These should only be used if it is going to take you hours to get help or if the hurt person needs to hike out of an area Water - Water is one of the best things for flushing wounds. Water should be the first thing used when cleaning cuts Thermometer - in a cold environment, a hypothermia thermometer covers most needs, and a normal thermometer makes sense elsewhere. There are many good disposable thermometers on the market, such as Tempa-Dot, that are also unbreakable. A digital indoor/outdoor thermometer with a probe is a good resource to tell temp. Variations of a patient who is either immobilized during or waiting for evac, although not as accurate as a medical version |
www.shop.com/op/aprod-~medical+stapler-p20201175 |