First Aid Kits - Recommendations?

[zzdocxx]

Hi Everyone

Just wondering what First Aid Kits you keep in your rig, how you decided on which one to buy, how much did it cost, etc.

Or did you put one together on your own?

Thanks !

:bowl:

PS I just realized there is no reason to limit this question to the 5th gen owners. ?

 

[RedSled]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/235819-recommended-1st-aid-kits.html

Here is a start, but if you do a search you can find mega info.

 

[MossJenks]

Well it depends. Is your Runner lifted or stock? :wink2:

j/k. I used one I bought as a basis and then have customized it to my needs over the years as I've gotten rid of the old stuff and brought in new (important). I don't think it has much original equipment other than the case.

My two "favorite" things are hemostatic (blood clotting) bandages and emergency "space" blankets. I try to make it an emergency and health setup too so I carry things like advil, benadryl, decongestant etc. that can be used in an emergency or just when someone has a headache or the sniffles. As part of this I carry a couple of wool blankets from the army surplus store. They're great as covers to protect the truck from cargo or my dogs but can also be used for warmth in an emergency - or just a cold night out.

If you're new to this I'd do two things: first find a basic first aid class in your area. Wilderness first aid is even better but takes more time. Even a little training can go a long way. Then buy a decent looking pre-made kit and start customizing based on what you learn in class and experience. Remember it's for the truck so you have room for plenty of stuff, but also remember that you're not going to be performing field surgery so you don't need a bunch of items you don't know how to use.

If you're going out in the wilderness consider obtaining a HAM radio license (easy) and a radio so you can call someone for help. That's your best bet if someone is seriously injured.

I'll try to post more later when I have more time but I'm sure others will chime in.

 

[zzdocxx]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/235819-recommended-1st-aid-kits.html

Here is a start, but if you do a search you can find mega info.

This is great, and I thank you. Started reading already.

Well it depends. Is your Runner lifted or stock? :wink2:


I'll try to post more later when I have more time but I'm sure others will chime in.

Great post and I hope you will post more later as time permits.

Just got it, planning on 3" lift and 285/70's, thanks for asking ! ! !

:surfer:

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[Fishpilot]

Tons of information already expressed in the above link, and anyone who says training first is 110% correct. Lots of talk about NOLS and first responder training but a simple CPR and infant CPR class offered near daily all over the US is also great baseline training. Add a CPR mask or CPR gasket to whatever kit you decide on and build from there.

Be careful with hemostatic agents, some generic versions contain proteins derived from human and/or shellfish sources and may send your patient into an allergic reaction. Also, avoid clotting powder; only get hemostatic impregnated cause. Powder alone is basically chemical burn and eye irritant waiting to happen. Go with QuikClot and learn how to use it.

Oh yeah, nitrile gloves.

 

[zzdocxx]

Full disclosure: I am a physician. I am appreciating the comments and suggestions because, just like taking a trip somewhere, I know how easy it is to forget things, and a pre-configured kit may be a good starting place.

What are the pros and cons of HAM radio vs. one of those satellite phone/locater things ? I'm sure I don't grasp the implications of one vs the other.

Thanks again, you guys are awesome !

:bigok:

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[zzdocxx]

Thinking of buying this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Wilderness-F...762754567/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Good reviews, some used copies available.

Looks like there are about a half dozen pretty good textbooks on this subject, a few of them a bit pricey though.

layball:

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[1engineer]

Moved to general.
-mod-

 

[GottaSkiBC]

Tons of information already expressed in the above link, and anyone who says training first is 110% correct. Lots of talk about NOLS and first responder training but a simple CPR and infant CPR class offered near daily all over the US is also great baseline training. Add a CPR mask or CPR gasket to whatever kit you decide on and build from there.

Oh yeah, nitrile gloves.

Agree on the CPR mask, it's not just more sanitary, it's more effective and you'll feel way more confident.

A few things I considered:

I started with an off the shelf wilderness kit. I chose one that was set for "groups of 1-4". Personal kits are smaller but for a vehicle kit I want to be prepared for a vehicle crash with multiple victims. We all think about the backwoods injury scenario but a car crash "in the city" is probably way likely to be involved in or come across. The kits have all the basics plus useful things like scissors, tweezers. I added a small LED flashlight.

I've added a couple large triangle bandages, the CPR mask, and small bottles of ibuprofen and benadryl. For now all this is stashed in one of the storage compartments in the rear cargo area, but I'm thinking this isnt a very good spot. When full of gear this would be difficult to reach. My though is to try and get this stuff into a skinny pouch and stash in dricer door storage pocket... Tbd.

I also keep a small pouch of bandaids/afterbite in the glove box for the kid's boo boos.

I was a lifeguard as a teenager, did some wilderness first aid training many years ago and now just do basic first aid/CPR every year or two that is offered by work. Training is critical especially ones that spend time doing realistic scenarios. I've had to use mine a couple times, I was amazed that so much came back to me. I know I was more calm because of it.

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[indawire]

Celox is my first choice followed by Quick Clot for hemostatic dressings.

 

[slippers]

I used to pick up people that were leaking.

One item you never seem to have enough of…


Sterile 4"X4"s.

 

[04rnr]

I used to pick up people that were leaking.

LOL, Love it.
:lmao:

 

[zzdocxx]

That's what I'm talking about, get a kit with useful supplies/instruments and modify by adding, substituting etc.

General question for the group -- Are many of the supplies subject to expiry, and do you check for that? Of course I hope to never need them!

Agree on the CPR mask, it's not just more sanitary, it's more effective and you'll feel way more confident.

A few things I considered:

I started with an off the shelf wilderness kit. I chose one that was set for "groups of 1-4". Personal kits are smaller but for a vehicle kit I want to be prepared for a vehicle crash with multiple victims. We all think about the backwoods injury scenario but a car crash "in the city" is probably way likely to be involved in or come across. The kits have all the basics plus useful things like scissors, tweezers. I added a small LED flashlight.

I've added a couple large triangle bandages, the CPR mask, and small bottles of ibuprofen and benadryl. My though is to try and get this stuff into a skinny pouch and stash in dricer door storage pocket... Tbd.

I also keep a small pouch of bandaids/afterbite in the glove box for the kid's boo boos.



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[MossJenks]

I do like to get a prepared kit then modify it. It's overwhelming to do a kit from scratch.

As far as the ham/satellite thing goes I don't know about the satellite stuff and it is more expensive but probably better for most people. Ham is great and might get you help that's closer at hand, but you really have to geek out about it to get the most out of it - both about your gear and using it. You can't just stick a radio in your truck and hope to get help if you've not kept proficient at it, pre-programmed the repeaters for the area you'll be in, etc. You can do great setups for driving and hiking by combining an handheld unit with a high-power repeating unit back at the truck, but again you have to get the right equipment, set it up right and practice, practice, practice. The plus side is that HAM is a super fun hobby if you're so inclined.

Yeah, a lot of stuff does have expiry dates and should be kept up on. Some are probably BS but it's hard to know and I think most of us are guilty of having old expired crap in our kits. It's tough because you don't use it much other than for sniffles and headaches and really hope to never use it for anything else, but it's gotta work when you really need it.

For books, this is what I have since I'm a Scout leader: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/bo...d=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP1948&k_clickid=3x1948 . Seems pretty good bu I can't really compare it to anything else.

 

[slippers]

This thread got me thinking.

We used 10% of the stuff in our trauma boxes 90% of the time.
(normal saline, 4"x4", 6" cotton swabs, ECG leads, etc.)

90% of the stuff we hardly used.

You are not an ALS wagon, but other than some O2, you can get close to BLS capability.

As far as hardware, think good penlight, watertight clean box, BP cuff(manual, not AA powered) can also be used to push fluids if you start a line…

Latex gloves. I'm not going to get Hep C because of your dying azz.

I'd rather have a lot (or, at least enough) of the items you are most likely to use, than a ton of stuff that may not cover the high spots.

Yeah, a liter of just normal saline, think eye wash, wound irrigation, etc. really isn't a lot. Get an eye patch, protects and helps immobilize in the case of glass fragments, epic face plants.

A sh&#-ton of sterile gauze and 4"x4"s, most of your meds will be OTC, but, you can get the typical epi-pens, benadryl, topical analgesics and just aspirin/acetaminophen can be very helpful.

One you may not be familiar w is silver sulfadiazine, my go-to for minor burns, stuff is magic, also OTC.

Cervical collar (large, you can trim it down for a smaller person).

A clean, zip-loc baggie for detached fingers, teeth, ears, toes, you get the picture. It's not like you're going to put them in your top pocket.

If things are really sh!&&$, you may have to maintain a patent airway or direct pressure on an amputation for a long time (any time seems like a long time), remember the Golden Hour.

If you go all Rampart One and do employ a TQ, note time, and for f$#%# sakes, don't take it off.

If there is something stuck in someone, somewhere, DON'T pull it out. You would be surprised how often some nit-wit will try to…

Try to get a pt. history, list of meds., allergies from someone if possible, depends on pt. and situation.

Little kids and the elderly will go south quickly.

Transport to an appropriate facility should be priority #1.

Good Luck.