I’m going to get right back into the shopping list.
DISINFECTING:
1/2 oz mini bottle of Povidone-Iodine solution,
30ml BandAid-brand antiseptic wound rinse (others ok too),
PDI-brand 10% Benzoin Tincture swabs in foil package (5),
BD-brand Alcohol Swab (16), —
other swabs are small and light on alcohol. You will use these to disinfect all your tools before using them on flesh. You can also, obviously, use these to help disinfect flesh itself (though it stings).
PDI-brand Povidone-Iodine prep pad (medium size, 10),
Neosporin NeoToGo spray, (comfort item)
Neosporin-brand antibiotic ointment (1 tube),
4 oz Swift-brand Eye wash,
4 oz Hydrogen Peroxide,
Don’t expose this to sunlight.
1.5 oz hand sanitizer gel;
OTHER:
Adventure Medical Kits-brand compact Emergency Bivy sack,
A bivy sack is much better than a space age blanket because it retains heat way better.
6 inch ACE bandage (1)
4 inch ACE bandage (1)
Safety Pins (5)
An alternative to ACE Bandages that someone might want to try is Camo Form - you don’t need clips because its self adhesive.
moleskin sheets (2)
These are most effective when applied when the blister is first “heating up” – not once the blister is formed.
Oral thermometer within a protective case,
Cotton balls
CPR MicroShield
Its extremely common that people “reviving” after CPR vomit or cough into the giver of CPR’s mouth. Get at least one of these.
Flexible finger splint,
Suturing kit (includes syringe and 1% Xylocaine local anesthetic)
Don’t use this type of kit if you haven’t done some research on how to stitch people up. This is a last resort. I will dedicate a post to the details of what a suturing kit contains later and online info about it, so don’t worry about this item yet.
PHARMACY:
salt packets in baggie (6),
Get these from McDonalds. Use for emergency dehydration circumstances.
Extra-Strength Tylenol (lots),
Advil (lots),
Loperamide (lots),
Diarrhea can kill.
Benadryl tabs (20),
Large antacid tablets (5),
(pharmacy) heavy duty pain killers (your choice, use with care),
(Pharmacy) antibiotics (10 days worth);
Please note – you use these at your own risk. I don’t know your allergies…and you don’t know other peoples allergies. If you are using narcotics, you also don’t know other peoples drug history. These can be addictive. I am currently talking with experts to find the best “general purpose” type. I will post names once I know.
COMFORT:
If you are having trouble with space/weight - these are the things to be eliminated/traded.
Chapstick,
GoldBond-brand single use antiseptic wipe,
itch relief cream or Benadryl-brand itch relief stick,
½ oz Clear Eyes-brand eye drops,
10ml transport tube of Burn Free or Medi-Burn relief gel,
These tubes are great for transporting small amounts of liquids/gels. Find them here.
EXTRA: These are items to consider, but will likely not fit unless you remove other things - they also go over the 100 dollar mark.
Quick Clot,
Don’t use this until you have researched it! There are some big risks that the manufacturers don’t really talk about.
flexible splints (like the one here),
emergency dental kits (something like this, modified to fit your pack),
medic book: Some free for download. To buy: Check out “Where there is no doctor”
Here is a good general medical supply link: StatMedical
Other items have been linked to google products or can likely be found in a local store (like walmart). If anyone has specific problems finding something, please message me!
I think this first aid kit will enable you to deal with most circumstances with the right tools.
You should feel good and prepared having one. Enjoy the feeling.
~ J
P.S.
Just for visualization’s sake, I’m going to go through the quick steps of taking care of a wound. These steps should be verified by your own research.
Wound:
Access wound. (Scissors, etc…)
Stop the bleeding. (Gloves, Pressure, Elevation, Gauze’s, Blood Sponges, Feminine products ect… - worst case scenario: tourniquet)
Wound cleansing. Hydrogen Peroxide/Povidine/Band aid wound wash…ect… Remove foreign objects. (Magnifying glass/tweezers/etc…)
Wound closure if needed. (Tape/Steri Strips/Suture)
Wound dressed. Non Adherent down first. Topper/Sponge. Tape down. OR just Tegaderm.
When needed, change dressing. When you take the dressing off without a Non Adherent…you will rip tissue. So if you don’t have a Non Adherent or Tegaderm, soak the topping in CLEAN (boiled then cooled) water first to help eliminate tissue damage.
It helps to visualize different things in your kit in use. :)
P.S.S. Please realize that your first aid kit is yours. Especially if you know much about first aid - you will probably not agree with some of my choices. That’s fine. I would love to hear feedback on what you would include and why. Please realize the constraint of trying to stay mobile. It is an important priority for me. But beyond that - build one! Something is always better than nothing when it comes to saving lives.
My next post will be focusing back on the economic side of things. There have been some amazing resources and developments in the economic world this last week…and you deserve to know about it ASAP. (That is why I released part two so soon!)
