Expedition overland

[LawnDart]

I wouldn't say 50, but it's not 200 dollars worth of stuff. I carry a dark angel medical trauma kit, which is for TRAUMA, not what you'll encounter most which is first aid.

I really do think medical is the one thing people ignore on their builds a lot, but yeah this kit is overpriced. But hey it has their logo on it.

 

[e60ral]

you're right, i didn't notice it was hemostatic gauze which is probably $40 itself, so $50 without the gauze.


That's still insane, $100 for a pouch

i agree with medical being overlooked, I have a lot more than $200 worth of first aid equipment in the 4runner at any time, and small trauma bags that get thrown in packs for hiking trips, but that pricing is ridiculous.

 

[LawnDart]

you're right, i didn't notice it was hemostatic gauze which is probably $40 itself, so $50 without the gauze.


That's still insane, $100 for a pouch

i agree with medical being overlooked, I have a lot more than $200 worth of first aid equipment in the 4runner at any time, and small trauma bags that get thrown in packs for hiking trips, but that pricing is ridiculous.

I have about 4 TQs (also their choice of TQs in their kit is garbage. Almost as bad as those RAT TQs, which are only useful to hang yourself...which you should if you spend your money on them). And about 4 kits stashed in my truck.

 

[gundrted+t4r]

I'm a huge fan of these guys ..... I hope they don't go commercial.

 

["krax"]

I have about 4 TQs (also their choice of TQs in their kit is garbage. Almost as bad as those RAT TQs, which are only useful to hang yourself...which you should if you spend your money on them). And about 4 kits stashed in my truck.

There's only two TQs recommended by the only committee that matters, and that ratchet strap isn't one of them. Same thing with the chest seal.

The cost isn't THAT bad. $40 for a hemostatic bandage, $30-35 for a CoTCCC-recommended TQ, another $30-40 in misc. supplies, and then a quality pouch.

My biggest gripe with that kit is that it contains both trauma and non-trauma supplies, but is still billed as a trauma kit.

 

[e60ral]

what TQ and chest seal are you using? I'm not actually sure if I have a chest seal in the truck right now, i think i just have vaseline gauze, I might need to buy another.

 

[LawnDart]

There's only two TQs recommended by the only committee that matters, and that ratchet strap isn't one of them. Same thing with the chest seal.

The cost isn't THAT bad. $40 for a hemostatic bandage, $30-35 for a CoTCCC-recommended TQ, another $30-40 in misc. supplies, and then a quality pouch.

My biggest gripe with that kit is that it contains both trauma and non-trauma supplies, but is still billed as a trauma kit.

Tac Med and the North American one, right?

I do like the big rubber one as that's actually good for small children and animals where you can't get a normal tourniquet that uses a windlass down far enough.

 

[e60ral]

have you tried the swat-t?

its just a flat piece of rubber, I like it because it's multipurpose and should be easy for a random person to use. i tried it one handed and it definitely worked on my arm.

 

[LawnDart]

I use the Halo chest seal, you get two, for both entrance and exit.

I have a few SWAT-Ts, they're okay and I'd suggest them for small children or animals where you can't use a traditional TQ. You can pre-stage a CAT-TQ so you just flick it and there's already a pre-staged noose essentially, so one handed you can cinch it down and start cranking.

Again, a good field medicine class is worth it.

what TQ and chest seal are you using? I'm not actually sure if I have a chest seal in the truck right now, i think i just have vaseline gauze, I might need to buy another.

have you tried the swat-t?

its just a flat piece of rubber, I like it because it's multipurpose and should be easy for a random person to use. i tried it one handed and it definitely worked on my arm.

 

[e60ral]

here is a video of the swat-t in action:
https://youtu.be/Y_p5-cmJmAg

from what i found when i researched them before buying its a design that has been used in combat for awhile

 

[LawnDart]

here is a video of the swat-t in action:
https://youtu.be/Y_p5-cmJmAg

from what i found when i researched them before buying its a design that has been used in combat for awhile

I know, I've used it, problem is getting it started. And it's big downfall is if you're sweaty/muddy/bloody getting the first wrap to catch can be life or death. Hence why it's a good ALTERNATIVE to carry.

 

["krax"]

If the chest seal isn't a HALO or HyFin, it's suspect, unless there's a newly approved item I don't know about. Penetrating trauma isn't my #1 concern when camping and offroading though. I wouldn't get too wrapped up about it, but it's a possibility (i.e. hunting injury).

If the TQ isn't a SOF-TW or 2nd Gen CAT, it's suspect.

SWAT-T is probably suitable for pediatric use, but I can't say for sure. I think they're OK as a substitute or replacement for an ACE bandgage. You can make a SWAT-T or ACE bandage act as a TQ, but it's not a sure thing like a CAT.

 

[LawnDart]

If the chest seal isn't a HALO or HyFin, it's suspect, unless there's a newly approved item I don't know about. Penetrating trauma isn't my #1 concern when camping and offroading though. I wouldn't get too wrapped up about it, but it's a possibility (i.e. hunting injury).

If the TQ isn't a SOF-TW or 2nd Gen CAT, it's suspect.

SWAT-T is probably suitable for pediatric use, but I can't say for sure. I think they're OK as a substitute or replacement for an ACE bandgage. You can make a SWAT-T or ACE bandage act as a TQ, but it's not a sure thing like a CAT.

Also for the love of god, people, do not buy second hand TQs or TQs off ebay.

There's Chinese made versions that got out there, done as replicas (why? I have no idea) and these made it into real medical kits, and they broke under use).

 

["krax"]

Should have added:

My main concerns are vehicle accidents and the injuries that seem to occur when people go camping, and then dealing with that in remote-ish locations.

Broken bones from car accident, burns from a cook stove or touching a hot piece of the truck, cuts during recovery. I think these are the more likely injuries.

 

[Igooooor]

I'm a huge fan of these guys ..... I hope they don't go commercial.

I could not watch the show before I got my 4Runner cause it made me want one so bad. But now I am loving the series. I watched the latest 3 part and now finishing up their season 1 of North America.

Really great show!

 

[LawnDart]

Should have added:

My main concerns are vehicle accidents and the injuries that seem to occur when people go camping, and then dealing with that in remote-ish locations.

Broken bones from car accident, burns from a cook stove or touching a hot piece of the truck, cuts during recovery. I think these are the more likely injuries.

Oh totally. People should learn how to use, and carry a trauma kit, but realistically broken fingers and limbs, cuts, and burns, are more likely on the trail than a punctured lung or gunshot (unless you're stupid or plan on being shot at constantly).

I had an axe blade break off, and hit me in the end 3 years ago, and thankfully it missed my tendons, but being able to stop the bleeding and get to a hospital was critical.

Also SAM splints are rad to carry in your vehicle as well. Tons of useful general medical supplies out there. I'm glad XO is promoting medical stuff, as it's not sexy compared to light bars and bumpers, but you'll use them a hell of a lot more than light bars and bumpers.

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Maybe we should have a thread for recommendations of first aid/trauma kit supplies? I'd certainly be interested.

 

[LawnDart]

Maybe we should have a thread for recommendations of first aid/trauma kit supplies? I'd certainly be interested.

Probably a good idea!

 

[VolksDragon]

Maybe we should have a thread for recommendations of first aid/trauma kit supplies? I'd certainly be interested.

Good idea! Probably have to start it in General, but I'm game.

I put together the vehicle trauma kits for the gov agency I work for, and the SWAT-T is in there, right alongside the Gen-7 CAT. The SWAT-T isn't ideal for all situations, but I LOVE it as an alternative, since you can also use it for all manner of dressings and splints if needed if you omit the stretch step of the Stretch Wrap And Tuck.

We also pack quik-clot, Israeli H-bandage, Halo 2-pack, 4x4's, tape, gloves and an abdo pad. It's light on first-aid supplies, but not designed for anything more than the typical life-threatening injuries sustained during a gunfight, and for stabilizing to GTFO.

 

[Hltoppr]

The EO vehicle med kit (as also seen in a YouTube video, IIRC) was a medic's dream...very well equipped. Each team member also had a IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit) with the basics for trauma, etc. All members, IIRC, were trained at a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) level.

The current headrest kit is along those lines. Yes, someone with experience could put together a kit for less, but I've found that for those who haven't been EMS personnel for years can definitely benefit from a "grab and go" kit that someone else has put together.

Also remember that EO does sell these to fund the trips, so there's part of the purchase price that's supporting the organization.

As the medic who assisted the EO team driving back from Panama, the only meds I needed was some antihistamine from a scorpion sting. (FYI...don't leave your shorts on the floor, things like to crawl into them.) It was also particularly interesting when a Mexican drug dog "alerted" on an epi pen...I had visions of being in a Mexican jail over something benign.

A medical sticky would be great! My general mantra is training, training, training! I can't see anyone who ventures out of an urban area not benefitting from a basic 16 hour WFA course! Well worth the time!

-H-