Coincidentally, I just rebuild my car trauma bag yesterday:

http://zombiehunters.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=50991

And for those that are at work:

http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=31494.0

Seriously? ABD pads are wonderful, but basically as good, and dual purpose, carry some Maxipads! Cheap, and some woman may thank you someday

I second the feminine sanitary products. We used to use those in the military ALL the time-get the scent free ones though.

I'd add:

PVM (pocket valve mask) for CPR
safety glasses
towels (warmth, bandage, splint, sling, padding voids, etc.)
tourniquet
seat belt cutter/window breaker
diphenhydramine (benadryl) - liquid form
triple antibiotic ointment
irrigation syringe
bottle of saline
large plastic bags or aluminum foil (like someone said earlier,can use to make an occlusive dressing - plastic bags can also be used for biohazard bags and a million other things)
duct tape - can also be used as an improvised occlusive dressing, tourniquet and a million other things.
paper or plastic cups (can be used as shields for eye trauma, etc)
water bottles

EEP!

I'll have to do some choosing, because I need it to fit under the passenger seat (I have a tiny car, and the trunk is already more than half full), but there's nothing here that isn't a good idea, even for me.

Maxipads as trauma dressings, yeah, I read about that!


Jim: I read and enjoyed your thread yesterday.


Great suggestions, all, I'm making notes.

Jim, that's a great use of the EOD bag, it inspires me too. I have everything in a car kit except the Celox-D, but it is lost among lots of kerlix and 4x4s etc intended for larger trauma. I even have an empty EOD bag to organize a new kit into this weekend. Your method of organization is excellent. I think the idea of having a grab and go kit for specific care such as an MVA is a better way to go.

I remember when you came onto equipped.org and were learning medical care, its great that you are contributing back to this forum the way you do Jim. Learn something new every day. Thanks!

After doing research over the last couple years (I forget why now) I removed the quick-clot from my kit...

I need to make a FAK for my cars, so this thread has already provided a lot of great information.

I have a couple SAM SPLINTS in my kit.

Other than that your kits are > than my BOB FAK.

Where are you guys buying all your supplies?

-Todd

Jim introduced another distinction between the boo-boo kit and the FAK. Jim's bag is like he said, for treating serious life threatening traumas, not for treating small boo boo scratches.
A lot of what is in most first aid kits is for boo-boos instead of hardcore trauma response.

It is an idea worth thinking about.

Maybe you could put the bulkiest stuff like extra bandaging and abdominal pads into a second bag.

If the bandage bag is soft it might be able to be stuffed into a odd space. It would still be handy in the car if you had to deal with broken limbs or serious bleeds.

Some of the other things like water you should have with you in your car anyhow, even if it is not in a FAK bag.

I had to put my car in the shop last night with a leaking radiator hose. When I went to get it today (about noon), I decided I just didn't want to carry that bright red bag with me as I walked over to the mechanic. It's not bad neighborhood, but it's not a great one, either.

So I'm sitting in the office, waiting my turn, just idly looking outside, and I see a car run the stop sign and t-bone another!!!

After the first second or so of "Oh crap, did that really just happen?!", I checked that someone was calling it in, and headed on over (others were closing, too).

The whole way I was thinking "Please, please, please, do NOT make me regret leaving it at home!" It was just a city street collision, so it was unlikely there were any serious injuries, but still . . . .

Well, the one who ran the stop sign had no injuries or pains, while the other driver had pain in her shoulder. They ended up taking her to be checked out.

I came so close to taking it with me. Fortunately, I had no reason to regret it. This time.

Keep in mind that what you have as knowledge is what matters most.

The pretty toys and fancy trinkets are nice to have but there are a lot of field expedient substitutions for most of them.
There are no field expedient substitutes for knowing what to do.