Don't for get the steel wool and a 9V.
My MEDBAG:
I have a list of the stuff I want/need, just need to get the time to put it together and buy the stuff I don't have.
Sitting around, I've got Bivy sack/green/black sleeping bags, poncho liners, ponchos, plate carrier, mag pouches, mags, 1k feet of 550, tent, blankets. I'm sure there's even more, but like I said, I need to get it together.
I've also got this, that is going to be my BOT/ET, with fuel, water, and even more storage for stuff.
I'm bringing along a wife and kids, so my stuff is going to be more than most.
Some cammie netting and I'll be all set.
Doc, excellent med bag, but I would recommend that you add a large quantity of aspirin. I know you likely do not use it much on active duty, but it is absolutely one of the best meds to handle inflammation,(of particular importance for internal injuries,( and surpasses both of the meds you listed in this category. This is especially important if you have to deal with long term aftercare of a serious injury because you cannot execute a medivac. Of course you have to use it judicially, because in the early treatment of injuries, it can thin the blood, and cause more bleeding.
I cannot tell you if it is still used in the OR, but when I was in the game and working OR, it was regularly used for just this purpose. As well, it is good for the treatment of certain cardiac episodes.
I would also add a current copy of the Merck manual. I have all the editions, and keep them in my library, but the latest edition would be the best to carry.
As well, I would get a minor surgery kit, and several grades and sizes of sutures. If you are able to due minor surgery, start pulling shifts at the command hospital and learn this valuable skill. When I was active, I did volunteered several shifts month in the ER,(actually whenever I was not called to other duties). They appreciate the gung ho attitude, and the docs took particular interest in giving me hands on experience and training, and it the reason I got LAB school and IDT. But more than anything I wanted the skills because I new where I was heading and I was not going to have the support of the world. I also sat in balboa and watched surgeries as much as I could when I was in conus. I also learned that if I wore my Marine corps regs uniform, I could slip in other hospitals and no said a word, or asked who the guy in the gallery was. I am sure post 9/11 things have changed, but any navy Corpsman worth his caduceus can talk his way in anywhere...get special skills for free while you can, cause once you de-mil, the cost is very high.
I also recommend Where there is No Doctor, be added to your kit, because you may need the care and it is written in such language that even someone with just a high school degree, and no further training, can save your life. As a bonus, it has an excellent med wilderness list.
As well, I also keep a months supply of Ciproflaxon, for both my wife and I. (be for warned if you use it, finish the modality and expect to be sick as hell from the med, as most people have side effects. on the other hand, side effects are short term and beat the alternative in the long term). It is broad spectrum, and will kill most anything. In a wilderness setting where evac is going to take time, it may be the difference between death or loss of a limb. Start it immediately. Most decent Docs who know you are into wilderness camping, will write the script. Flagyl it is also good for numerous things and you should read about it. I can tell you it saved my life twice in the Central American jungles, and once in Conus from beaver fever that made me so sick I could not get out of the back country if tried until I healed myself. I believe I would have died from dehydration, if I had not had with me.
You should study and build a med list and get one of your surgeons to write script for the non controlled items. By the way, lidocaine is another item, you should have in your kit and also several bee sting kits which are for any anaphylactic situations and also for certain poisonous bites, or multiple stings. You can get a script for it, lidocaine or buy it from an ag supplier with and ag label...same stuff, different label. Bee Sting Kits have to come from a doc, and a pharmacy. I recommend the auto inject, because again it may someone who is not trained saving you.
), etc.
. Really I just need enough to survive a couple nights in the cars or an extended time in a hotel if the house caught fire or something like that.
