[highwayrider02]

I've been pondering the idea. I want to build one from scratch that way I can know exactly what's in my kit and customize it to my needs. However a well-thought out first aid kit for sale I'm sure would have more depth to its contents than my home-made one since I'm not an expert and can't think of everything. Or should I buy an extensive kit and use that as a base to build on?

I've done some looking around, and though it's expensive, I thought this one would be a good start.
ADVENTURE MEDICAL KITS Comprehensive First Aid Kit - Eastern Mountain Sports

[Rayzerm]

In my experience, 22 years as a voulenteer fist aider and first responder, you will be better of building your own kit.
That way, you will have what you want and not what someone in a marketing department thinks you want.

Some things to consider:

What duration of trip do you want this kit to cover. If you are into something suitable for day or overnight trips, items like the dental repair as not as urgent.

What size can you afford to carry.
If you are short on space, a bulky kit will weigh you down and take up space.

The principles of First aid, when you cut it back to the basic's are

A = Airway
B=Breathing
C=Circulation

A & B are not something you can treat on yourself, only on others. If you are not breathing, you cannot give yourself CPR

Circulation deals with both your heart beat and your blood flow.
Assuming you have a beating heart, the first thing you need to be able to treat on yourself is bleeding. While pre-packaged dressings look nice in a package, you could run through 5 of them treating moderate bleeding unless you are using a clotting agent.

SO,

If the Kit is just for yourself, stock up on things to treat bleeding and to keep you warm and clean.

If you want to cover other people as well, you need to then consider items like CPR face shields, gloves etc.

Can I ask if you have ever done a First Aid Course. If not, do one right away. This will give you a much better understanding of how first aid works in real life, not just on a shelf. You would then be in a much better position to decide on your kit priorities.

I know there are some medical people on the Forum and they would be in a much better position to advise you - what I have said above is only my own opinion.

Oh yeah, never underestimate the ability to improvise when it comes to first aid. It is amazing what you can achieve with a T-Shirt and a Belt if someone's life depends on it !

Originally Posted by highwayrider02

I've been pondering the idea. I want to build one from scratch that way I can know exactly what's in my kit and customize it to my needs. However a well-thought out first aid kit for sale I'm sure would have more depth to its contents than my home-made one since I'm not an expert and can't think of everything. Or should I buy an extensive kit and use that as a base to build on?

I've done some looking around, and though it's expensive, I thought this one would be a good start.
ADVENTURE MEDICAL KITS Comprehensive First Aid Kit - Eastern Mountain Sports

[snowshoe67]

High Way Build One, you can add what you need with the basics too!

[stairman]

Make your own. Custom sized, custom stocked.

[areth]

I've checked out a few first aid kits to buy, but I've got to say, just make one. I can't really prove that there aren't any in-depth first aid kits that would suit all your needs, but think of it this way; If you make one you have what you need. If you buy one you have what some company thinks you need.

Making one is more in-depth and requires you to know what you're putting in there so you know what exactly you have when the time comes to use it.

Just putting this out there, but you should keep a separate kit in your car that has things like those CPR face masks. Just a recommendation, you never know when you'll need it. Not saying your a bad driver but, hey, accidents happen, you know?

[Bones]

You can get a pretty well stocked basic kit at walmart and then add/remove what you need/don't need and repackage for your situation. as far as the one you linked to if I was going to go that big I would consider a full on medical responder or emt bag. in my experience a better deal than the "outdoor" companies. like it was said though a kit is only as good as the person using it so make sure you have some basic training. and everyone should have a full kit in their car at all times!

[Double Ott]

Build your own FAK. The ones you buy ready made are for boo boos mostly. If you look at the contents of these kits, you'll find that the majority of the contents are cheap bandaids that will not stick to you.

Here's two lists from first responders that I used to make my FAKS. I have a large one at home, a good size one at camp and small ones in my vehicles. The one in my boat has waterpeoof bandaids or bandaids that will stick even if wet.

For my large FAKs, I bought large (plastic) tool boxes, with compartments. I had some smaller OD canvas paks on hand to build the kits for my vehicles.
Pick & choose what you think you'll need for your applications,

FAK list #1
• 4 pairs of gloves
• Wilderness & rescue medicine field guide
• SOAP note tear sheets
• Plastic pencil
• Instant hand sanitizer
• Micro Shield-CPR mouth barrier
• EMT shears
• 3 x 5 yds self-adherent bandage
• 2 cravats w/2 blanket pins
• 4 x 4 pad
• 6 x 9 wound dressing
• Surgical Mask-to protect incase of disease

MEDS
• Cravat
• Oral thermometer
• Antibiotic ointment
• Ibuprofen 200mg-lots
• Acetaminophen 500mg-lots
• Ipecac Syrup/Activated charcoal
• Water purification tablets
• Pepto bismol
• Energy Gel-for diabetics needing sugar
• Dental Kit-small
• Floss
• Laxative
• Digel-anti gas
• Salt/sugar
• Sinus Decongestant – 2
• Sore Throat Relief – 2
• Benadryl -6
• Anti-diarrhea – 2
• Pepcid AC – 2
• Antihistamine - 4

WOUND CLENSER DEBRIDEMENT
• 3 x 3 Gauze Sponges – 2
• Scalpel – disposable
• Scrub Brush
• Eyewash
• Eyewash lubricant – 4 small
• Povidone-iodine 1 oz
• Shur-clens – 2. Small
• Shur-clens. Large
• 1 gal. plastic bag for irrigation
• Hypo-70cc for irrigation
• Sizzors
• Hemostats – 2
• Long tweezers
• Alcohol Prep pad – 3

BP – CUFF
• Blood Pressure cuff
• Stethoscope
• Headlamp

BANDAGES & TAPE
• 3 in. elastic bandage
• 4 in. conforming band.
• 1 in. roll tape
• 2 in. roll tape
• Non-adhering dressing – 3
• Hydroseal bandaids
• Other types of bandaids
• Butterfly bandaids
• Sterile pads 4 x 4-2
• Betadine swabs – 2
• Large blood stopper bandage


Also in pack:
SAM splint
Blister Kit
Burn Kit

***********************

FAK #2
Dressings/Gauze/Applicators
3 4in Kling Conforming Gauze Bandages
2 3in Kling Conforming Gauze Bandages
2 2in Kling Conforming Gauze Bandages
2 Steri-Strip ½ x 4in
10 5x9 ABD Combine Dressing
3 4x3 Topper Dressing Sponges
7 4x4 Topper Dressing Sponges
15 2x2 Dressing Sponges
10 Telfa Non-stick pads
1 Moleskin, package of 3 strips
1 Bandage, Muslin, compressed, camo
1 Q-tips, small package
10 Band-Aid Sheer extra large adhesive bandages, sterile
10 Band-Aid Sheer medium adhesive bandages, sterile
60 Band-Aid bandages, sterile
2 Elastic Bandages, self-adhering, 3in (Coban)
Tape/Gloves
1 Paper tape, 3/4in
1 Paper tape, 2in
2 Transpore, 3/4in
2 Adhesive, 3/4in
1 Latex glove box
2 Gloves, sterile, size 8

RX
1 Hydrogen peroxide bottle
1 Tylenol, 500mg tabs, bottle
1 Isopropyl Alcohol Bottle
1 Ibuprofen, 200mg tabs, bottle
1 Hydrocortisone 1% cream
1 Multivit/multimin w/ herbs, bottle
1 Triple Antibiotic ointment
1 Tums, extra strength, bottle
1 Anti-itch cream (Benadryl)
1 Vaseline, small container
1 Betadine, 8oz bottle

Tools
1 Blood pressure cuff w/ stethoscope
1 Blood Glucose Monitor
2 Hemostats
1 Tweezers
1 Scissors

Misc
4 Water bottles
1 Purell hand sanitizer

Hope that this helps you out

Regards, Double Ott

[Slade N. Illinois]

A good kit can save many lives, just be sure you know damn well how to use everything you carry or you could also take lives. I carry Epipens, Morphine, Penicillin, Insulin, and a Tracheotomy kit any of which could be life saving or could kill some one if used incorrectly. I also have everything needed to pull a slug and seal the wound. Just be sure you know how to use what you have. Even a snake bite kit used for the wrong kind of venom can make things worse instead of better.

[AlpineZone]

Besides what others have given you always build a survival/first aid kit for your area you live in. Are the trees primarily elm which is stringy and hard to cut, or are they ash which burns hot and batons easily, is it so cold there in certain months that snakes/bees cannot survive, etc. Remember one thing, the most important days of survival are the first couple your prepared within it.

Ask yourself these things.....and build upon it.

Hope this was useful.

Chris

[cowgirlup]

Originally Posted by Slade N. Illinois

I carry Epipens, Morphine, Penicillin, Insulin, and a Tracheotomy kit any of which could be life saving or could kill some one if used incorrectly. I also have everything needed to pull a slug and seal the wound. Just be sure you know how to use what you have. Even a snake bite kit used for the wrong kind of venom can make things worse instead of better.

Are you in a medical field where you have access to the Epipens, Morphine and penicillin?
How do you keep the insulin cool and stable?