This is the bag I'm using. The current price is $58.95, and it is small enough for me to transport it easily.

https://www.chinookmed.com/01386rd/home-vehicle-plus-bag.html

This is the next size up. The current price is $344.69. And, as you can see, we're getting into it is not very easy to transport, especially given other things I may need with me in a bugout.

https://www.chinookmed.com/01388rd/mobile-aid-kit-pack-mak.html

Jeanette Isabelle

Lots of other bags on the market from other manufacturers. For example check out CONTERRA. From personal experience, I know CONTERRA makes good stuff. They also make a great line of Aid Belts, and Packs.

Letting the bag determine the contents seems like the wrong way to approach it, in my opinion. Figure out what you really need, then find a suitable bag to carry it in. Or, go modular. A small, easily transported kit with the basic, most immediately needed essentials (CPR mask, trauma shears, dressings, tourniquet, glucose, etc), and a larger kit with nice to have but not absolutely essential items (BP cuff, stethoscope, etc).

From looking at the pictures, the organizational system of the bags would not work for my needs.


I'm not sure if I'm reading this right. Are you suggesting that I had bought the bag first and then designed a kit around it?


I already have part of that (and plan to get more) in my EDC bag.

Jeanette Isabelle

No, I doubt that is the case. However, I do see you making repeated posts about taking one thing out to make room for some other thing. My impression is that you are locked into that particular bag, and its size (or lack thereof) is having undue influence on your choice of what goes in.

Regarding the organization of CONTERRA's bags , keep in mind that they are designed with much input from highly experienced professionals. Lots of real deal experience from EMTs, SAR teams, firefighters, ski patrollers, and disaster response folks goes into those bags. Those people have been there and done that, and know what works well, and what doesn't work so well. I wouldn't out of hand assume that they won't be satisfactory for your needs.

Ultimately do what you think is best. I'm just giving you my opinion.

EDIT: Check out this link on Choosing the right bag or pack

I don't believe I locked myself into a specific bag. I think it is more accurate to say I locked myself into cookie-cutter concepts of how a medical kit is to be designed and only scarcely venturing outside the box while remaining chained to it.

Jeanette Isabelle

Are these only true for a medical kit, or can they also be applied to home use?

Jeanette Isabelle

Not sure if I am quoted correctly, but in any event, injuries at home require about the same materials and procedures as those outside the home. There isn't any hard and fast distinction.

One thing about first aid. You do the best you can with what you have when you can. Hopefully you will speedily convey the victim to definitive care ASAP.

You frequently treat victims with items that aren't within your FAK. Seriously dehydrated victim need a drink of (hopefully) clean water. Cold victims benefit from dry warm clothing and maybe body heat from another individual.

In many cases you will be using all sorts of items that are never within your FAK.

For the record, sterile pads are of course highly desirable. I have never run out of them in treating a victim and I don't carry all that many, maybe up to ten or so in various configurations. Kling wrap or some sort of compression bandage is highly useful in applying pressure or stabilizing splints, but adequate substitutes can be devised. These improvisations should be part of anyone's skill set.

Be flexible in your outlook and adjust to the situation before you.

The following is what you said in its entirety.




First aid is the one area where I need input from those who have the experience that far exceeds mine. I don't want to do my best with what I have. I want to do my best with everything I need. Hence why I asked questions that have gone unanswered until I went back to the thread where people helped me stuff items into my medical bag.

Jeanette Isabelle

Thank you finding my statement!! I completely missed it.

Very frankly, what you (and probably most of us, including me) need is training. Internet chat isn't even close to sufficient.

Good training involves a fair amount of actual, hands on, practice, as well as book learning, ideally taught by a highly experienced hand. My first EMP trainer was a Navy medic with Vietnam behind him. My first refresher/recert course was a very practiced paramedic with lots of experience. That plus my own field experience made me less of a disaster on an emergency scene.

I know you have said that training in your area is hard to come by. I can only hope that you will be successful eventually.

I took classes, book learning, practiced on myself, some in the field experience, and, if you may recall, I built first aid kits for missionaries before moving to Florida.

My in-the-field experience is nowhere near that of you and others. For that reason, I don't know which items I'm most likely to run out of during a disaster. I recall comments such as "you can never have too much tape." When I used the search function, I wasn't able to find out who said that. I'm using cloth tape as one example, but how many rolls do I need until I'm confident that I'm covered?

One person said I needed twelve rolls of CoFlex. I have thirteen. Do I have that covered?

Jeanette Isabelle