#273405 - 12/28/14 04:07 AM
How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
|
Old Hand
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 863
Loc: Southern California
|
During my last inventory,I realized that I have three complete first aid kits and two mini kits. I'm spending a fair chunk of change on the kits as the medicines tend to expire before they get used.
I'm giving some serious thought to consolidating the three home kits and storing them, accessible, in the house instead of with the emergency supplies in the garage.
You're thoughts?
_________________________
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273406 - 12/28/14 04:39 AM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 2851
Loc: La-USA
|
We keep 2 FAK's at home. A heavy duty very large kit that includes latex components and a smaller latex free kit. DW has a serious latex injury. We keep burn kits and other FAK components in the house in an easily accessible drawer.
Edited by wildman800 (12/28/14 04:22 PM)
_________________________
QMC, USCG (Ret) The best luck is what you make yourself!
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273407 - 12/28/14 12:45 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
|
I have had the same problem and trying to reduce the amount. The ones I have:
- One very big one for home, but also when going somewhere with a large group. I'm single, so if i'm not home nobody will miss it. - Small lightweight on + optional small add on kit. - Medium size add on for my small lightweight one. (additional equipment and quantity)
- Car kit.
_________________________
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273410 - 12/28/14 02:28 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Old Hand
Registered: 01/28/10
Posts: 1174
Loc: MN, Land O' Lakes & Rivers ...
|
One kit to rule them all:
A large kit in the supply cabinet at home feeding smaller kits in the vehicles, camper, and backpacks.
Purchased a variety of very small zip-lock bags in 1" to 6" inch sizes to facilitate this.
I cut out some small colored squares of paper that fit the little bags where I describe the item inside and list the expiration date.
_________________________
The man got the powr but the byrd got the wyng
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273414 - 12/28/14 04:21 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 2851
Loc: La-USA
|
BTW: we have regular use for gloves so we buy them 4-6 boxes at a time. We only use vinyl or nitrile gloves . This is because of the latex allergy in the household. I've found that the vinyl and nitrile gloves are much more durable than latex.
_________________________
QMC, USCG (Ret) The best luck is what you make yourself!
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273417 - 12/28/14 08:44 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Old Hand
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 863
Loc: Southern California
|
I keep a box of nitrile mechanics gloves for working with chemicals and automotive repair. They last longer then latex, but still don't tolerate heat well enough for car storage.
I'm going to consolidate the the full kits into a single box and store it inside the house with the OTC medications. Thanks for the advice.
_________________________
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273418 - 12/28/14 08:57 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
|
One shelf in our storage closet is devoted to medications and medical supplies. I generally keep the largest FAK in my vehicle since it will likely be accessible there after a major earthquake and other likely events. I have smaller kits in various backpacks, down to the three bandaids which ride in my wallet.
_________________________
Geezer in Chief
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273434 - 12/30/14 10:50 AM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Member
Registered: 05/15/07
Posts: 198
Loc: Scotland
|
Decent quality BS 8599-2 first aid kit in the car, it is usually where we are.
Small specialised kit for travelling abroad, tailored for destination. Sterile supplies, rehydration, cold chaps, blisters, sun burn relief, etc.
Plasters, Rennies (antacid), analgesic, to hand in bedroom.
Flu kit stashed, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen in large quantities.
Clean handkerchief in trouser pocket, bleeding, support, wiping, expedient particulate face-mask etc.
Edited by Ian (12/30/14 11:05 AM)
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273436 - 12/31/14 06:29 AM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 04/28/10
Posts: 3160
Loc: Big Sky Country
|
I have several that sit around between outings. But for home use I got a big metal first aid cabinet like the ones you see in businesses.
_________________________
“I'd rather have questions that cannot be answered than answers that can't be questioned.” —Richard Feynman
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273496 - 01/04/15 09:50 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Phaedrus]
|
Addict
Registered: 03/19/07
Posts: 690
|
One FAK at home to deal with basic everyday emergencies placed strategically in a kitchen drawer. Includes the meds my family and I might be required to use on a more or less regular basis.
One FAK in the car. Much the same, with some extra emphasis on dealing with trauma and injuries that might be expected in a car crash obviously.
One compact travel kit, pretty much the same but packed in a small handy bag that I can take along on vacation if need be.
Then there is the FAK in my BOB. A bit bigger than the travel kit, well stocked with supplies that should suffice for anything from a small cut to dealing with a pretty serious injury, including basic surgery w/ sutures etc. This is also the FAK that I carry on any prolonged hike or travels in remote regions.
Another item at least as valuable as a FAK is hands-on knowledge. Practical literature also helps a lot. I keep a copy of the Special Forces Medical Handbook close by, it's a really useful reference tool and helps diagnose medical problems pretty accurately if you have at least some sort of solid training and real-world experience to begin with.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273500 - 01/05/15 11:28 AM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Member
Registered: 05/15/07
Posts: 198
Loc: Scotland
|
I need some better definitions.
To me first aid is keeping someone alive until secondary aid (i.e. qualified) arrives. Perhaps also stopping deterioration until secondary aid arrives such as stabilising fractures when secondary aid is miles or hours away.
Day to day minor niggles that do not need secondary aid, e.g. nicks, scrapes and bruises are what some people here are calling boo-boos and are completely treatable without secondary aid so should not come under the heading of 'First Aid' as there is no secondary needed.
So perhaps: First aid; immediate unqualified treatment. Normally short term until qualified intervention and triage. 'Good Samaritan'. Secondary aid; follow up qualified treatment. Through to recovery. Often relocation needed. Everyday life; no qualified intervention expected for recovery.
I would like some better terms that are self descriptive.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273501 - 01/05/15 12:35 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Ian]
|
Old Hand
Registered: 01/28/10
Posts: 1174
Loc: MN, Land O' Lakes & Rivers ...
|
Here from the world-renowned Mayo Clinic is a list of conditions that they believe merit 'first aid', and the treatment for each condition. http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aidThe contents of one's first aid kit (after the most basic items) are somewhat personal and should be a reflection of the area, season, usage, personal training, and specific risks that the owner of the kit feels he or she might encounter.
_________________________
The man got the powr but the byrd got the wyng
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273507 - 01/05/15 05:25 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Ian]
|
Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
|
Here is the wikipedia definition - First aid is the assistance given to any person suffering a sudden illness or injury,[1] with care provided to preserve life, prevent the condition from worsening, and/or promote recovery.
Part of first aid is recognizing the difference between boo-boos and something more serious,not always a trivial matter.
_________________________
Geezer in Chief
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273533 - 01/06/15 06:37 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Tom_L]
|
Old Hand
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 863
Loc: Southern California
|
Another item at least as valuable as a FAK is hands-on knowledge. Practical literature also helps a lot. I keep a copy of the Special Forces Medical Handbook close by, it's a really useful reference tool and helps diagnose medical problems pretty accurately if you have at least some sort of solid training and real-world experience to begin with.
I keep a Red Cross manual in the home first aid, a pocket sized Atwater Carey manual in the car kit, the Heartsaver booklet from my last certification at work, and a wilderness first aid menial on the bookshelf. If I need to use the last one, that means that things have gone really sideways and emergency services are not available.
_________________________
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273535 - 01/06/15 07:22 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3837
Loc: USA
|
Another one to add to your list would be Where There Is No Doctor. The ebook version is a free download from http://hesperian.org/books-and-resources/.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273542 - 01/06/15 11:07 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: chaosmagnet]
|
Old Hand
Registered: 05/29/10
Posts: 863
Loc: Southern California
|
Speaking of e-books, am I the only one who has been loading preparedness information and apps onto their smart phone? If I have to evac, knowing where the hodgepodge of resources and shelters are, without competing for bandwidth, is going to be advantageous.
Edited by Mark_R (01/06/15 11:08 PM)
_________________________
Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273567 - 01/07/15 09:12 PM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#273570 - 01/08/15 12:41 AM
Re: How many first aid kits do you keep at home?
[Re: Mark_R]
|
Sheriff
Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 12/03/09
Posts: 3837
Loc: USA
|
Speaking of e-books, am I the only one who has been loading preparedness information and apps onto their smart phone? If I have to evac, knowing where the hodgepodge of resources and shelters are, without competing for bandwidth, is going to be advantageous. Nope, not the only one .
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 registered (Jeanette_Isabelle),
333
Guests and
41
Spiders online. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|