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Posted: 4/25/2010 11:04:09 AM EDT
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Let me start out by stating that I have next to zero medical training/knowledge. When I was a Gebirgsjager until 2000, our medical training pretty much consisted of tossing the packaged paste dressing onto a wound, dressing it with a bandage/cut off BDU sleeve/gauze/whatever and putting pressure on it until the guy with the medical cross on his uniform showed up. Besides that I know very little and luckily have never needed to.
Since I can no longer call for the medic...I'd like that to change a bit. I am not looking to become a wanna be corpsman but I think that I should be able to know what to do if something should happen. Knowing I had no knowledge of this, I purchased a HSGI bleeder pouch because it was small and could hold a few things just in case. I love all of my HSGI kit, but I think that it may be too small in my opinion. I'm sure Topher will be by shortly to tell me I can cram an entire 6 pack into it 
What SHOULD I have in my med kit? I am not stuck on the HSGI pouch, but maybe looking to go to a more robust pouch but yet not something that can carry the kitchen sink. Going along with that, how have any of you that are not in the medical field gained workable knowledge of how to treat everything from small issues, to say a broken arm, to a bullet wound? Like I said, I am not wanting to figure out how to perform surgery, but I feel that having basic medical knowledge would be indispensable especially given the alternative of sitting there and staring at someone like a deer in headlights because I have no clue as to what I can do. Thanks ETA - Does anyone make medical shears that do NOT rust? Pulled mine out today and the blades on both sides have a good amount of rust on them. |
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I don't have med training beyond basic first aid, and I don't have the ability to procure private instruction at this time. I use a OSOE Compact VOK, in which I have 2 GI field dressings, 2 compressed gauze packs, some med tape, gloves, and a CAT attached to the side. No fancy shit that I don't know how to use. Should I ever get additional med training, I'll add/change contents as needed.
I originally bought the HSGI Bleeder pouch, but I just didn't like the narrowness and lack of organization. I believe ATS makes a pull-out organizer for it that will help, but it's as much as the pouch is. As for med training, there are several courses that are available for private citizens––the first that come to my mind are the First Responder course and EMT training, both usually available locally through the Red Cross, local volunteer FD, or college. I know fellow ARFcommer Daemon posted some good pics and advice in a similar thread a while back. Maybe he can chime in and give you a link. |
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There are several different thoughts about what you should have in your med kit. One being supplies to treat you by someone else should you get hurt, or second only supplies you are properly trained on to treat others if they are hurt.
I am not selling this guy's medical kit, but he does have a good explanation for each item he includes. The Tactical Response Gear Ventilated Operator Kit. This LINK shows a youtube video where the guy goes over each item in the medical kit. I don't have one of these but I believe you might fit the entire contents in an HSGI bleeder pouch if you open the bag and push the contents in the pouch individually. There are other pouches specifically made to hold this kit. I have bought a bunch of stuff from Rescue Essentials You could look at their blow out kits, trauma kits, and see what items you think you need and then by the items separately. Tactical Medical Solutions Has some good items. Specifically, their OLAES bandage has gotten good reviews. On Tactical Medical Solutions homepage there is a section called "Training" Under training there are videos that show how to apply bandages etc. I've been lucky with getting medical training, First Responder when I started in law enforcement, regular CPR training, when I left law enforcement a basic EMT course was starting up so I was able to attend. While searching for more training, I learned NOLS have a Wilderness First Responder course not far where I live, so that will hopefully be the next training I get. I had intent to volunteer some but with my current work schedule I do not believe it will work out. Hope this helps. |
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The BSA has an excelent "Wilderness Firstaid" course. Very good class.
You could also check your local red cross to see when the are giving a first aid course. Local EMS Volenteer teams....will have EMT courses. I've been certified as a EMT....had the BSA course stated above....had a emergency field survival medical course....and a shock/ trama. There are many books....but you need some hands on instruction. As far as your kit goes....you can get many list on line....but you'll want to set up you kit according to your skill level. When we hike....I carry my med kit...the wife and kids carry theirs....which is basically their to suppliment mine....I carry saline and stuture kits...along with a sterile surgeons kit....not that I'm going to do sugery....but you never know what you might run into. We have a paramedic who carries a excellent kit....and a nurse practiceiner that also goes out prepared. You should also think of what you should have in your stores....keep more than you'll ever think you need. I keep some of the large kits for industerial shops...made for 50 to 60 people....and then supplimented with a lot of extra stuff. Good luck |
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Nothing is going to replace hands on instruction and practice but you may want to consider getting some textbooks on the subject to study. They can probably be had pretty cheap on Amazon and contain a wealth of information on prehospital medical care. Mine probably has 1000 pages on trauma alone and also has quite a bit of information on medical issues that may arise in a bad situation.
What you should carry is a tricky question as it really depends on what you know how to use. Bandages, tourniquets, and other stuff for controlling bleeding is a good start. |
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Quoted:
PHTLS (Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support) would be a good place to start civilian training wise. Yeah. You should be aware though that few ITLS/PHTLS classes are taught in a way that is directed at people who have no medical training. The ones I've been to were clearly aimed at EMTs and paramedics who are already very familiar with the material. |
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