Even though I have a huge first aid kit with just about everything imaginable for a household emergency in it, I just discovered this week, I don't have near enough of a few important items.

I had surgery for the first time in my life and needed to change some dressings. Low and behold I do not have enough large combine dressings or cover sponges. Small band aids don't get it done. Guess I need to re-evaluate my first aid kit for this contingency.

I'm currently putting my appartment first aid kit together. Before reading this forum and website, I only had a couple of bandaids and a large bottle of hydrogen peroxide that had passed the expiration date left in the bathroom cabinet. Now I wised up! I bought a 5 Liter Lock&Lock Handy container and put it away from humidity in a closet. I replaced the large bottle of course with a 100mL bottle of Betadine®, a tube of Polysporin triple antibiotic ointment and a couple of Benzalkonium Chloride antiseptic towelettes. After buying 4x4 sterile gauzes I realized that I had to also get non-stick pads (Telfa®) and I think they are not a luxury (just read the eye-wash for irrigating wounds thread) and a roll of 3M Nexcare Coban athletic self-adherant wrap to secure it.
It's nice to have 3x4 inch non-stick pads and it can always be cut to fit the wounds such as shown here:



from this website: web page

Anyway, that's my current process in building my first aid and survival supplies...

Frankie

I threw a bunch of stuff out of my FAK years ago and decided that the main purpose of the FAK (for me) is to stop the bleeding, secure the breaks and prevent infection. 6x9 pads (and bigger) are more useful to me than anything else. I don't need a full pharmacy in the FAK and I don't need a freaking tougue depresser.

What I do use - often - is instant ice packs.

Some people carry too much crap. I have a good assortment of stuff, but it is all designed around 3 major elements, and one minor.
Stop Blood loss
Stop Pain
Stop Infection
Stop itching (I hate bugs) <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Keep in mind preventing or stopping the progression of shock, which is a major cause of death. Whether it is due to hypothermia, hypoglycemia, blood loss, anaphylactic shock, stress due to immobilization failure/inadequacy, etc. Proper training, equipment and rapid transport to definitive medical is the key to shock prevention and treatment.

Pete