What do would you guys put in a kit for regular use for a vehicle, perhaps i should know more about this than maybe i realise as i'm a vet, i know how to close wounds, use and get access to controlled drugs-FOR HUMANS!!(just in case u were worried i'd use medicines meant for a reptile! But from an outdoor perpective what should be the main focus and what should i carry! This would be for wilderness terrain! For a trip of perhaps in 4 week stints!!!


Mark

Actually the main focus would be FIRST AID, because that's what the kit is for. I too have been guilty of trying to bring all kinds of meds and instruments and pack them in the FAK, with the view to treat as many conditions as possible.It certainly made for a very large and bulky kit.
I have divided it into what are minimally required for First Aid, assuming that you have the necessary training to use all of these items and that medical care is not too far off....

Basic groups needed for First Aid Kit
Minor injuries ( e.g. cuts /scrapes, minor illnesses )
1. assorted sizes of bandaids
2. wound cleansing materials - pre-packed wipes / gauze or cotton wool with chlorhexidine / betadine solution
3. Medications for minor illnesses e.g. headaces , fever, diarrhoea, stomach upsets, runny noses, allergies / itch etc.. ( the medications to include are ANOTHER issue)
4. Burn gel for minor burns (actually if the burn is superficial I'd just do a simple cleansing and dessing as for a small abrasion)
5. Antiseptic creams / allergy creams

Moderate Injuries (e.g. sprains, deeper cuts etc )
1. Crepe bandage ( 2 inch, 5 inch )
2. triangular bandages
3. Wide open wove bandages
4. Heavier dressing material or MORE Gauze ( Gauze is multipurpose and versatile <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )
5. SAM splits / wire mesh splints / finger splits / tongue depressors

Life threatening injuries
(e.g. amputations , severe chest / abdominal wounds fractures)
1. CPR mask / shield and appropriate training
2. Heavier dressings ( e.g abdominal / chest pads )
3. iv cannulae / iv fluids
4. Sutures (to tie off bleeders if necessary ) & instruments (ONLY if you know the anatomy of the injured area in question and the supply or the offending artery / vein! )
5. MORE gauze and triangular and crepe bandages

Instruments etc
1. Suturing instruments ( forceps , needle holder, 2 curved hemostats)
2. Torch
3. tongue depressor
4. scissors ( paramedic or otherwise) to cut bandages, clothing etc
5. pencil / pen / paper
6. Iv cannulae / fluids
7. tape
8. Syringes for eye / ear / wound irrigation + appropriate fluids
9. Needles ( to remove splinters / administer meds / increase wound irrigation pressure)
10. Splinter forceps
11. scalpel blades
12. goggles (biohazard protection)
13. Gloves ( biohazard protection )

Those are about the basics in treating any of the three groups. In all likelihood, the minor to moderate injuries occor most often, so think about putting more emphasis on those areas 1st. The life threathning injures occur more often than I would like, but unless you are trained, it might not be prudent to carry so much stuff in your FAK. Do what you can with what you have and call for help. CPR kit and mask are ok, lugging instruments around are another thing!

So to cut a long post short:
More of the stuff for minor injuries, some for moderate, 1 for the severe (CPR mask), most of the instruments (except minor surgery kit / iv cannulae / fluids ) and training to use all the above.

Hope this helps !

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The short (and relatively uninformative answer) is whatever you are comfortable with and trained to use. You will do quite well with Trusbx's list for a basic beginning. One thing I would definitely include would be backboards, both long and short, because you are likely to encounter trauma. Don't bother with anything commercial - get thee hence to the local lumber yard and make your own - instructions are easy to find, and you can customize it for your particular circumstances.

One thing about your post puzzles me. You are asking about a car kit for use in "wilderness terrain." For me, wilderness is by definition roadless, so I imagine you are talking about driving in wild country with rough roads, but not wilderness, strictly speaking, as I understand the term. This is significant, because you are likely to be able to transport toward medical help.

Probably you should consider a means of communication as part of your medical support system. A helicopter ride is more likely to be life saving than a suture kit in most circumstances, as is the ability to provide a warm snug environment for the victim to prevent shock while awaiting transport.

Hikerdon-you hit the nail on the head!! I carry a smaller kit if i leave the vehicle but i will use the one in the landy for driving in wilderness terrrain!

Trusbx-thats very helpful i will use that as a strong basis for my kit, i apprecaite what you say!


Thanks again to the both of you!

Mark