First Aid Kits

I've been doing some scouring on this lately; amazon.ca has quite a few things that either should be in one or make the basis of one, and LA Tactical is also a great source for all kinds of things- just placed an order for boots and a new BOB; their prices are spectacular! Example:h t tp://www.lapolicegear.com/wise-amk-kit-deal.html
or h t tp://www.lapolicegear.com/israeli-medical-combat-bandages.html

or h t tp://www.amazon.ca/b/ref=amb_link_354081762_7?ie=UTF8&node=2439460011&pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf_rd_s=browse&pf_rd_r=1WZESG3CB9SMZRES5C3N&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1278311922&pf_rd_i=2406100011

Hope those help.

I have yet to be happy with the contents of a first aid kit with exception of some commercial first aid kits that seemed to have everything but an operating theater. I recently 'upgraded' my existing kits in an attempt to make them more effective. The first purchase was multi compartment utility cases with carry handle & movable dividers, with a see through lid. (about $12 on sale) The see through lid identifies the contents as being first aid and also lets you look before opening in rainy situations.

Added items:
1) lots of bandaids, especially knuckle, finger tip, 'spot' and butterfly closures
2) additional compress bandages (still looking for some larger sizes 6"+)
3) tensor bandages (to hold those compresses in place & possibly reduce bleeding)
4) Polysporin triple antibiotic cream (2 x 30gm, while not cheap, far less costly than infection)
5) extra triangular bandage + extra safety pins (+ a sewn arm sling with adjustable shoulder strap)
6) about 30 Aspirin
7) about 30 Q-tips (beats the daylights out of poking around a wound or eye with dirty fingers)
8) about 30 cotton balls
9) extra alcohol wipes & some restaurant (greasy food) hand wipes to pre-clean the worst off of hands
10) an extra 'instant cold' compress
11) an extra Mylar 'space' blanket
12) an extra 'swap no spit' mouth to mouth resuscitation guard (who knows what communicable disease an unconscious person is carrying?)
13) 4, 8 hour hand warmers (hypothermia help)
14) lots of tape, both cloth and plastic
15) several extra pairs of rubber gloves
16) 'After Bite' bite and sting pen
17) antihistamines (allergies)
18) upgrade scissors and tweezers
19) plain, no flavor, no wax dental floss and a couple of needles for emergency stitches in dire situations.

Other than that it's a pretty basic $40 or $50 first aid kit. At 5 1/2 lbs I would not consider this a BOB first aid kit.

Buggie,

This seems like a good topic.

For those unaware, check out Staples dot ca, then search first aid kits or supplies.

Trianglar Bandages are like $7 for a dozen. They sell other items in bulk as well. 2"x2" and 4"x4" gauze pads/sponges in fifty pack boxes.

Another must have item is a battle dressing or shell dressing. I like the Canadian Forces ones best, but the Israeli ones are good too, as are the US military ones. Not sure where you can purchase the CF from.

Cling tape 2" width, for securing dressings is very good. It sticks to itself but not to your skin.

On amazon dot com they have suture kits but not on amazon dot ca.

Hope that helps.

Mountainman.

Ive never seen a 1st aid kit I liked either. They all need to be added to. BTR has a great list. The only 3 other items I like to add are vet wrap, single use eye wash tubes (they're sailene in a little squeeze tube. Good for flushing everything. Awesome for deep cuts with debris inside.) And krazy glue (its a quick way to seal a gash and its a light weight repair for broken equip)

Vet wrap is uber cheap and is way better than most tensors, splints etc. It comes in every color. I keep 1 roll in hot pink, and 1 in brown. Your local vet shoulf have rolls for sale.

appollonious,

Please tell. What is Vet Wrap??? What is it used for?? I admit it, I have never heard of it, or if I know of it - then not by that name. Who makes it?? 3M??

I look forward to learning something new today. Thanks.

Cheers,

Mountainman.

we have vet tape...my hubby called it horse tape as it looks like an tensor bandage but after you wrap it around it sticks to itself instead of needing a safety pin...we love it!

The vet wrap is the same thing as those flexi-bandages for people. We have had ill dogs in the past and have a first aid kit for them 😕

The vet wrap is the same thing they wrap my arm in after I donate blood. (they love O negative...)

I call it "grip tape". we used to use it to wrap the knobs of our hockey sticks. Its not quite tape... its not quite a bandage...

glad to learn that ive been paying $8 for a small roll of it at a sports store, when I could have got it in bulk at a vet lol.

I guess its spelled vetrap and its 3m. Heres a link. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/AC/animal-care/products/catalog/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20SBQ3000000_nid=99FXKHGL4PbeRTSHCMRQXXgl&MDR=true

Lotsa folks call it horse tape. I get mine for about $2 a roll... but I also share a bed with a vet:)

IMO a first aid kit isnt complete without a maxipad 😀 Soldiers use to carry them around with them during war. Theyre light and collect alot of blood saving you from changing dressings quite as often.
Duct tape should never be overlooked in any sort of kit either, you can make it smaller by rolling it on to something else if you dont have room for a full roll.
One of the major things ive added was a hemostat, (i think thats what theyre called im not in the medical profession sorry) they look like scissors but dont cut and have a curved end and you can clamp down on things and lock it in place, with really handy if your alone and need an extra hand with bandaging or other things, i got mine from a nurse but ive seen something similar to them in the fishing section at walmart for hook removal. Hope this helps.

Acklands is a good place for preassembled first aid kits. As well you can check out the St. John Ambulance website. That's where I got my kit. But I added to it over the years. Some other things you may want to consider in a first aid kit is a Tourniquet and Israeli bandages. You can get the bandages on this website: http://www.vancouvertacticalsupplies.com/medical/bandage_id.php

Israeli bandage is something that everybody should have in their kits and BOB's. It's a great piece of kit, I used them in Afghanistan. They are a very versatile bandage, and there is a demonstration on Youtube on the many ways it can be used.

Here is a local supplier for the Calgary area for Israeli bandages, I strongly suggest everybody has at least one.....

http://911supply.ca/

A couple of items in my kit I use regularly are EMT Shears and Sam Splint. MEC carries both:
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCamping/HealthSafety/FirstAidSupplies/PRD~4015-898/adventure-medical-emt-shears.jsp
http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/HikingCamping/HealthSafety/PRD~4002-604/adventure-medical-sam-splint.jsp

Note most gels, creams, etc (anything liquid based), won't apply if kept in a vehicle, BOB, vest, etc which is exposed to constant sub zero temperatures - and the product may be rendered useless or potentially even toxic when warmed back up. If you want these items with you in winter conditions, they need to be keep warm (ie. in a pocket on the inside of your jacket).

Good lists!

I always add moleskin to mine.