This is only my second post to this forum, and I already feel like this is a place I will visit often.
I was a medic for many years, so I have developed my own first aid kit. I actually have several of them. But I have always kept betadine ointment and betadine prep pads in my kit for really dirty wounds. I found that betadine really helps keep the risk of infection down. Nothing is guarranteed 100% but I've been using it for years with good success.

I have a substantial first aid kit in my daypack all the time. It's seems that once you are a medic, you are always a medic. At my work, if someone gets really sick or hurt, I'm always summoned.

Jeff

Jeff,

Welcome to the fire newguy! I always appreciate having a good medic around. Care to say a little more about yourself?

-Blast

I have worked in military and civilian hospitals for 23 years and then changed careers. I grew a brain.

In the military I was a medic working in emergency rooms,ambulance services in Alaska, remote independent duty (24x7), ICUs, OR, Obstetrics/L&D, Pediatrics, and then moved into hospital administration/materials management. Then I grew a brain and changed careers.

I am constantly obsessed with improving my kits, upgrading, changing, improving the quality of the materials...I'm on a Titanium craze right now after finding a few bargains at clearance prices. I enjoy day hikes and fishing and I paint in six mediums and I'm into good quality production knives as EDC and survival blades. Too many hobbies...also hung up on Arcteryx line of equipment. There must be a support group out there for me somewhere.

Obsessed with good quality coffee too.
Jeff

Jeff,

I think you found a new home here with us. Gear freak? Oh yeah, we have those.

-Blast

Welcome and please do tell us more .

Pete

Sounds like you had a Paronychia or Felon. My wife had one after reaching into a Coke box and sticking a corner flap under her fingernail. A week later, it was quite inflamed and painful. The Dr. nearly sent her to a hand specialist after his initial treatment of draining and inserting a wick didn't work. He prescriped a strong antibiotic and hot water & Epsom soaks several times daily, which did the trick. If the pus pocket is is not relieved, it can infect the bone and that would really ruin a vacation.

Kodet and Angier's "Being Your Own Wilderness Doctor" recommends a 11 Bard-Parker scaplel and a "fish mouth" type incision into the pus pocket to relieve the pus. "This is not a pleasent procedure to undergo, but neglect will cause even more unpleasentness".

I found a copy of the book for 50¢ at Goodwill and scanned it into PDF. Makes a good addition to the FAK, even though it's 1968 vintage.

Old book. I have a hard time distinguishing between 'tried and true' old techniques and 'new and improved...the old way was all wrong!' techniques...but maybe that's just the worry wart in me.

Recently I picked up reprints of 'Camp Cookery' (1910) and Shelters, Shacks & Shanties (1914) and was amazed to learn just how many things haven't changed in the last 100 years...and how many great ideas have been buried by modern convenience and technology...sad really.

Pete,
I came across a set of M150 5.3 fl.oz and M200 7 fl oz double wall Snowpeak stackable cups that would normally cost about $48.00 for a 2 cup set. I didn't think $19.00 was too bad.

I also found a 20 -22 oz SnowPeak titanium cook pot with stainless steel lid that looks like a large cup with folding handles. I believe its a Snowpeak Minipot at $33.00. I didn't think $14.95 was too bad.

I already have a Snow Peak 450 cup and 300 double wall cup. And cook with a SP 3 piece Titanium cookset. Bought everything on reduced prices at two local outdoor shops. I'm just patient, check the stores frequently and wait for a far better than regular retail price. If I can find a price at 50 to 60% off retail, I'm happy.

This is off the Field Surgery thread topic, but we might as well cook well while our finger heals.

Totally agree on the Everclear. I used it with my home made stove on my Appalachian trail hike. Great stove fuel that also works to clean cuts and scrapes, freshen up etc...

Plus you can mix it with water and those little flavored Crystal Light packs for a nice adult beverage when you stop for the night... Orange flavored is particularly good...(I read this somewhere.)

IMPORTANT: You must get the Everclear 190 (95% alcohol). The Everclear 151 is only 75.5% alcohol and WILL NOT burn well in your stove. (Though it will in your tummy.) (Or so I've read...)

Only problem is, some states don't sell the 190. Florida does not. Georgia does. Those are the only two I know of for sure. (And shipping it is a big no no.)

I think it's the ultimate backpacking fuel. Multiple uses, can be stored in a light plastic container, the stove weighs only a few ounces, and less than an ounce of fuel will boil a cup of water in under 4 mins. Not as fast as a pressurized fuel stove - but a fraction of the pack weight. (And MSR fuel makes a lousy screw driver...) (Or so I've read.)

[quote=Erro...snip....Plus you can mix it with water and those little flavored Crystal Light packs for a nice adult beverage when you stop for the night... Orange flavored is particularly good...(I read this somewhere.)

...snip... [/quote]

I hear it's better with the lemon on a hot day - or so I hear