Assembling a first aid kit

[ford_nut]

I could use some help. I?m wanting to put together a first aid kit to put in my backpack that I can keep in my vehicle and take with me as needed. Thankfully nothing has happened yet that I?ve needed first aid but I?d rather not have an emergency and be wishing I had put a kit together. I go camping quite a bit and have a side-by-side that I take to the desert so I would like to have the ability to tend to injuries while being far away from medical help.

What Im looking for is a one stop reputable online site that sells more advanced things like quickclot gauze and things like that. Basically things that I cannot just get from the grocery store like bandaids and such. I?ve found a site called firstaidsuppliesonline.com they seemed to have good pricing but I?m not sure if they are selling off brand or out of date products?

I?ve taken about 4 or 5 first aid/CPR classes for work (substation electrician) so that is my level of knowledge, I don?t want anything that is too advanced where I could do more harm than good.

Also, do you all think there is anything I?m missing from my first aid kit?:
Assorted bandaids, tape, moleskin, triangle bandage, aluminum/foam splint material, elastic bandages, a tunicate or two, various sized gauze, quickclot type gauze, alcohol wipes, antiseptic wipes, various pain relievers (Tylenol, ibuprofen, Aleve, Benadryl), cpr barrier mask, scissors, tweezers, gloves

Thank you all for your help and look forward to your suggestions.

[Librarian]

Moved to Survival and Preparations forum; several first aid kit threads here.

The only thing I've seen prominent for fakes is tourniquets - Amazon apparently is a victim (or willing participant) in that; North American Rescue is the brand of CAT that is best, it seems - https://www.narescue.com/

NAR is NOT low priced. But they do have really good kits.

[kpkube]

Check this thread out.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1675445&goto=newpost

[Vinnie Boombatz]

In my car I have gloves, a tourniquet, trauma shears, pocket CPR mask and Narcan.

When I go camping I take a boo-boo kit, super glue, tiny packet of Neosporin and some basic meds like Benadryl, Motrin, Tylenol, Imodium, etc.

When I go to firearms classes I take an IFAK with chest seals, pocket CPR mask, trauma gauze, trauma shears, OPA, needle decompression, trauma shears and a tourniquet. I keep one of these set-ups on my range belt in a Blue Force Gear Trauma Kit Now! Plus+ and another set-up in my range bag.

If you need any more than that you probably need to get to a hospital fast and nothing you're going to carry is going to help you. You can carry a bunch of useless crap that you probably don't need just to make yourself feel warm and fuzzy inside, but most of the time the stuff you think you need and carry isn't essential and just means extra bulk and extra weight.

Basic first aid is kind of useless. You'd be better off taking BLS (Basic Life Support where you learn how to perform CPR on infants, children and adults and operated an AED) and a Stop the Bleed class.

[ford_nut]

Moved to Survival and Preparations forum; several first aid kit threads here.

The only thing I've seen prominent for fakes is tourniquets - Amazon apparently is a victim (or willing participant) in that; North American Rescue is the brand of CAT that is best, it seems - https://www.narescue.com/

NAR is NOT low priced. But they do have really good kits.

That?s exactly what I was thinking is Amazon isn?t the place to buy these type of items, too many fakes.

Check this thread out.
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/...5&goto=newpost

Sweet, thank you, I?m gonna check those out.

[ford_nut]

In my car I have gloves, a tourniquet, trauma shears, pocket CPR mask and Narcan.

When I go camping I take a boo-boo kit super glue, tiny packet of Neosporin and some basic meds like Benadryl, Motrin, Tylenol, Imodium.

When I go to firearms classes I take an IFAK with chest seals, pocket CPR mask, trauma gauze, trauma shears, OPA, needle decompression, trauma shears and a tourniquet. I keep one of these set-ups on my range belt in a Blue Force Gear Trauma Kit Now!+ and one set-up in my range bag.

If you need any more than that you probably need to get to a hospital fast and nothing you're going to carry is going to help you. You can carry a bunch of useless crap that you probably don't need just to make yourself feel warm and fuzzy inside, but most of the time the stuff you think you need and carry isn't essential and just means extra bulk and extra weight.

Basic first aid is kind of useless. You'd be better off taking BLS (basic life support) and a Stop the Bleed class.

In the cpr/first aid classes they have a ?stop the bleed? section. I?m curious if it?s the same as what you are talking about. I would assume BLS is way more in-depth and a multi-day class?

[Vinnie Boombatz]

In the cpr/first aid classes they have a ?stop the bleed? section. I?m curious if it?s the same as what you are talking about. I would assume BLS is way more in-depth and a multi-day class?

Stop the Bleed is a different, separate class. I've never taken a BLS class where they've taught how to control bleeding. BLS is just CPR, choking, AED (defibrillation). BLS is not very in-depth. It's the very basic, very minimum, one day.

[ford_nut]

Stop the Bleed is a different, separate class. I've never taken a BLS class where they've taught how to control bleeding. BLS is just CPR, choking, AED (defibrillation). BLS is not very in-depth. It's the very basic, very minimum, one day.

Oh ok I got you. I?ve must?ve taken a BLS course since they discussed everything you mentioned. I?m going to look into a stop the bleed class. Thank you

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Oh ok I got you. I?ve must?ve taken a BLS course since they discussed everything you mentioned. I?m going to look into a stop the bleed class. Thank you

I think the problem with people wanting to get a first aid kit is they get false comfort in acquiring a bunch of "stuff" that's tangible. Having all that stuff in a bag or whatever in front of you makes people think they will be ok if something happens, and tend to avoid taking actual basic life support classes that teach the bare bones, fundamentals because they don't go home from these courses with any gear, with anything tangible. It's putting the cart before the horse. It's jsut like owning forearms. You can own a bunch of guns but if you have no idea how to run them properly they probably aren't going to do you much good, but many won't get the proper training and would rather spend money on another firearm than actually learn how to run what they already have. I'm more impressed by the guy who has a Glock 19 but can run it like a boss and is a great shot over the guy who has a room full of awesome guns but has no clue how to run them.

[ford_nut]

I think the problem with people wanting to get a first aid kit is they get false comfort in acquiring a bunch of "stuff" that's tangible. Having all that stuff in a bag or whatever in front of you makes people think they will be ok if something happens, and tend to avoid taking actual basic life support classes that teach the bare bones, fundamentals because they don't go home from these courses with any gear, with anything tangible. It's putting the cart before the horse. It's jsut like owning forearms. You can own a bunch of guns but if you have no idea how to run them properly they probably aren't going to do you much good, but many won't get the proper training and would rather spend money on another firearm than actually learn how to run what they already have.

I agree. What good is all the gear in the world if you have no idea how to use it. I have no idea how to do a tracheotomy so I have to need for a scalpel in my kit haha

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I agree. What good is all the gear in the world if you have no idea how to use it. I have no idea how to do a tracheotomy so I have to need for a scalpel in my kit haha

I'l be honest, that's another thing that scrapes the crap out of me seeing guys with all this crazy advanced first aid gear and I know darn well they aren't paramedics, RN's NP's, PA's or MD's.

[ford_nut]

I'l be honest, that's another thing that scrapes the crap out of me seeing guys with all this crazy advanced first aid gear and I know darn well they aren't paramedics, RN's NP's, PA's or MD's.

I feel like it?s the mall ninja equivalent of putting all the gear in the world stuck to their rifle. Low speed high drag haha. I?m guessing all the medical gear represents things people wish they knew or have convinced themselves that they know through YouTube haha

[NorCalBusa]

Introduce yourself to one of your local Paramedics or Fire Paramedics and buy them a cup of coffee or two and pick their brain. I think you'll find one kit is retail first aid- bandaids and such, nice to have but not emergent.

Second kit will be more of what you're thinking- trauma, compound fractures, sucking wounds, slings, wraps, major bleeding/tourniquets, etc. Don't forget special needs if you or a companion has cardio, diabetic, etc. issues- what meds might you have.

You're only limited by space and funds. Don't forget, unless you are well versed- attend not one but >3 first aid and higher-level classes, you ain't gonna be reading the manual when Sally there is bleeding out. Find a partner(s) and drill each other on what is where in the pack- and finding it quickly- in the heat of the moment, you'll be fubar anyway and not want to be fumbling around looking for certain items. Do an inventory and check that before every trip out.

If you don't already- get a Garmin InReach sat device. Rule #1 is always get help a'coming before digging into the hot mess.

[madland]

https://www.sosproducts.com/

This place is in Van Nuys. Hopefully not too far from you. Building your own kit is always a better option imho. The commercial kits that have "300+" pieces always contain a lot of fluff. Here you can buy what you want in whatever quantities you want.

.99 cent store is another place to get some supplies. Disposable ice/heat packs and some other items.

A lot of people throw a ton of stuff into their kits that they don't know how to use with the hope that someone around them will know how to use it. If you have the money that's great, just don't forget that some of this stuff has an expiration date and needs to be replaced periodically. Another thing is people buy/build a big kit and $#!T the bed at the first sight of blood. Build a kit. Get training and experience. Add to your kit as your experience and wallet will allow.

The kits I have in each of our vehicles is almost like a combination of what Vinny has in the car/range bag/camping kits. My range kit itself is a dedicated IFAK knowing I have another bag in the vehicle I'm in. The camping kit in the trailer has more stuff for all the cuts and scrapes the kids get while out riding in the desert. 5-7 families out there equals a lot of kids. And a lot of cuts and scrapes. Lol

Don't forget a few glow sticks and a head lamp. Being able to mark your position at night in the desert for EMS to find you off the main road makes life easier, as does a head lamp when you are trying to render aid to someone in the dark.

Also, read the sticky at the top of this sub-forum. "What's in your first aid kit"
LOTS of good info in there. Good luck OP.

[TheChief]

Take some training so you can build a first aid kit (FAK) based on your knowledge and skill set. Also, you will learn how to make your own risk assessment to determine what types of injuries and illnesses you need to be able to stabilize while in the field.

I highly recommend taking a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course, then the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course.

Part of the courses include building your own FAK and the quality of the components such as tape, gloves, tourniquets, etc.

WFA is a 16 hour course, usually done over a weekend. You will need to also take a CPR/AED course too but the training company will help you with that.

WFR is 100-120 hours long. The course I took on the East Coast was 10 consecutive 12 hour days long. WFA is not a prerequisite but is recommend to see if it is for you before investing your money and time for the course.