#257371 - 03/09/13 07:38 PM
Minimal first aid kit
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 03/11/05
Posts: 2574
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Just read about a hiker who brings just Tylenol and duct tape, improvising the rest from his pack. Is this Too minimal for a hiking kit?
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#257374 - 03/09/13 08:09 PM
Re: Minimal first aid kit
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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Why does he have the Tylenol? Other than for personal use, meds like T have no place in a FAK. He is correct that most FA items can be modified from common objects at hand. I have done it more than once, but I much prefer to have some dedicated items in my kit. Especially are elastic or self adhering bandages, along with a 4x4 or two if we are going all out. While splints can be improvised rather easily, a SAM splint does a superior job IMHO. Bandaids are an EDC item with me (two or so tucked in my wallet) - they cut down wonderfully on the drama when someone gets an owwie.
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Geezer in Chief
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#257376 - 03/09/13 09:04 PM
Re: Minimal first aid kit
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 07/11/10
Posts: 1680
Loc: New Port Richey, Fla
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a couple of non adherent pads, a roll of elastic self adherent tape (Coban), some cloth knuckle bandaids, and a roll of Kerlix for packing off serious wounds, and an irrigation syringe (or other pressure wash) will probably get the job done for most events
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#257379 - 03/09/13 10:35 PM
Re: Minimal first aid kit
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Old Hand
Registered: 02/05/10
Posts: 776
Loc: Northern IL
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I have some otc drugs in a medicine bottle or a small plastic envelope, depending on which bag it is in. http://ilbob.blogspot.com/2011/02/otc-meds-in-my-fak.htmleach bag has some minor fa supplies like bandaids as well. this is all for convenience and comfort rather than as serious fa equipment. I just do not think it is useful to carry a bunch of first aid equipment with me. I already have some duct tape, electrical tape, hankies, and a water bottle. I can easily use those if I need to flush a larger wound and bandage it.
_________________________
Warning - I am not an expert on anything having to do with this forum, but that won't stop me from saying what I think. Bob
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#257384 - 03/09/13 11:20 PM
Re: Minimal first aid kit
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 05/05/07
Posts: 3601
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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My default FAK platform is an AMK - either one of their old ultralight kits or the new International Field Trauma kit. I always have one close by.
For those rare times when I don't carry a full kit with me, my personal minimum, and what I supplement each kit with, is: water, a bandana and/or a triangular bandage, a couple of thick maxi pads, a small pen or squeeze light, and some OTC meds (Asprin, Tylenol, Gravol, Benedryl - as well as kids versions for our son - and hand sanitizer. Bug spray, sun screen and cooling gel for burns.) I also have a pill fob with prescription meds and aspirin on my edc key chain.
Besides water and meds, my main four are:
Maxi Pads => pressure bandage, splint, their intended purpose...
Bandana/triangular => broad/narrow bandage, pressure bandage, sling, face mask, hankie, hat...
Light => FA in the dark, pupil check...
Bandaids=> I'm a mom. "They" include them when they hand out our parent cards.
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#257386 - 03/09/13 11:35 PM
Re: Minimal first aid kit
[Re: bacpacjac]
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Geezer
Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
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I have a couple of the larger AMK FAK's, but my "Minimal first aid kit" is a small container with band-aids, a couple povidone iodine pads, neosporin and Uncle Bill's Sliver Gripper Tweezers. For the small cuts that happen routinely, that's all I need. If I need more I'll get to one of my bigger kits ... or I won't. You make your choice and take your chances.
_________________________
Better is the Enemy of Good Enough. Okay, what’s your point??
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#257389 - 03/10/13 12:14 AM
Re: Minimal first aid kit
[Re: Russ]
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Geezer in Chief
Geezer
Registered: 08/26/06
Posts: 7705
Loc: southern Cal
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We would all be well advised to include a couple of pairs of nitrile (or equivalent) gloves.
_________________________
Geezer in Chief
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#257414 - 03/10/13 10:20 AM
Re: Minimal first aid kit
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Member
Registered: 05/15/07
Posts: 198
Loc: Scotland
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I carry a couple of aspirin in case I have a heart attack and a clean handkerchief for everything else.
Served me well for the last sixty years.
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#257418 - 03/10/13 02:01 PM
Re: Minimal first aid kit
[Re: TeacherRO]
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Carpal Tunnel
Registered: 11/09/06
Posts: 2847
Loc: La-USA
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My EDC includes several bandaids of different sizes in a small ziplock bag in my wallet as well as my bandana.
I carry a small but serious FAK when I go into the woods. It's geared toward trauma: cuts, OTC meds; small battle dressings, etc.
_________________________
QMC, USCG (Ret) The best luck is what you make yourself!
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