Also keep in mind the idea of improvisation. I had to dress a wound once where I only had a couple pads of gauze to dress with because the supplied first aid kid was not very well supplied. There was a new package of toilet paper next to the first aid kit, though! The gauze kept it sterile; the toilet paper kept it absorbent and comfortably soft. Taped it all in place and the hospital got to deal with a ghetto dressing.

But it worked!

+99 on Kerlix/rolled gauze. I would rather have Kerlix and no 4x4s than the other way around. I can cut off a little Kerlix and make my own 4x4s.

For kits where space is at a premium try the PriMed compressed gauze from H&H. They take a full sized roll of Kerlix and vacuum pack it into a wad the size of slightly rotund golf ball. Even if the vacuum pack develops a leak its still less than 1/2 the bulk of uncompressed Kerlix. N.A. Rescue's s-packed gauze is similar but is vacuum packed in a "S" stack instead of rolled, which helps when feeding it out into a bad bleed.

4x4s are for cuts that are NBFD. Kerlix is for serious wounds. Cram Kerlix in there then top it off with a (possibly improvised) compression bandage. If the wound has a significant void cram in the Kerlix then add an object like a tennis ball, bag of fluid, etc and place the compression bandage over it. The idea is to transmit pressure to the bleeding site, not simply absorb the blood. Soft spongy stuff is not ideal as the medium for transmitting pressure.

Of course you're unlikely to have a tennis ball or bag of fluid on hand but that's the size & consistency of "filler material" we're talking about.

I agree - and have use Kerlix in a case where a patient's leg has mostly separated just below the knee AND he had quite a gash on his thigh.

This thread has reminded me to get a fak any one recommend a good one?. I'll add more bandages later.

Lee

I got the OB pads and 50 4x4's today.

I think I'll pass on the 2x2's since room in my FAK bag is extremely tight.

I also found 5 wrapping type bandages that are 100% cotton (vs. Latex). I am going to be replacing all of my "Ace" bandages with these since more and more people are developing an allergy to Latex.

The usual Latex allergenic symptoms are itchiness progressing to peeling skin. Swelling of the lips, facial skin tingling, and I don't know what else is possible except for a sore throat. A sore throat indicates to me that an airway swelling issue and an asthma type of symptom could occur.

I sure would hate to be responsible for exacerbating a problem.

BTW, I carry vinyl gloves in my kit.

"...The gauze kept it sterile..."

Ya gotta use what works. But keep in mind that first aid does not really have to be sterile, and usually isn't, no matter how hard you try. Get the bleeding stopped, protect against further contamination, and worry about cleaning the wound later...

Build your own - YES you will probably end up with more "stuff" than you need, so you end up with 2 - one for home, and the other one

Edit:
"Doc Russia" has some good FAK ideas. Might be a BIT advanced, but..

Speaking of FAKs - I found a site with all sorts of kits. Having had some First Aid training (I really really need to go re-cert), and having come across SERIOUS accidents twice in my life (Before the First responders), I have a tendency to want at least SOME trauma "stuff" in the kit. Frankly, I'm NOT qualified to do c-collars, airways, BP and the like, so the high end EMT kits have stuff I DON'T need, but to get the stuff I WANT, I either have to add to an existing kit, or remove from a bigger kit

doing a web search (and NOT knowing the companies, or prices) this kit is "interesting" http://www.e-firstaidsupplies.com/first-aid-kit-20.html

Just remember: ABC - airway, breathing and circulation

Or if you can keep the air going in and out, and the blood inside and going round and round - you've solved 90% of your problem - now to get the guys with the flashing lights on their truck to you

"Little" cuts/scrapes will be a LOT more common, and you WILL use that part of the kit a LOT more often. In a minimalist kit, I do carry one or 2 bandaids, but worst comes to worst, a 4x4, a pair of EMT shears (folks - buy a box of a dozen - the cost like $1 each in bulk - and they do weaar out), and a bit of first aid tape, and I can MAKE a bandaid easy enough, and make it fit the wound

Be careful using any of the antibiotic ointments on someone you don't know - they may be allergic, ditto giving someone ANY drugs - you are not a paramedic/MD (if you are, feel free to ignore my advise).

DO NOT exceed your training level

BTW If I can get thge picture off my cell phone, I'll post a picture of my PERSONAL First aid kit at the office - NOT the company kit - MY kit

another edit: One of our supporting vendors has what looks like a fairly good kit
http://www.redflarekits.com/pc/4041/fak/COMPREHENSIVE+First+Aid+Kit+by+Adventure+Medical+Kits

Here is a (addmittedly poor) picture of my office FAK. Note that this is NOT the deparment's kit - it's MY kit. The metal boz is the classic office FAK by "Safety Supply". They seem to think to rolls of 1" gauze and a couple of 4x4s is "big stuff". You'll notice that there is a "Multi Trauma" dressing sitting on top of it, plus boxes of 4x4s, non-stick pads, 4" gauze, tape, etc sitting there

Out of picture in my "carry" bag - it's got four 4x4s, 2 rolls of 2" tape (paper and cloth) my presrciption drugs, etc in there

You guys may also be interested in the Olaes-bandage: http://www.tacmedsolutions.com/07/products/product_detail.php?prod_id=3


This is a trauma bandage with a roll of kerlix and a piece of occlusive plastic (for penetrating chest-injuries) built into it.

Demo on youtube:

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=y4XJx1PoivQ


I've got a couple of them and they work very good, even for the big bleeders.