What is in your first aid kit?

[MaineCampingFan]

With Stormrider151's recent post regarding public safety types, it reminded me of a question I was recently asked. 'What's in your first aid kit?'

After I left the fire service, I had quite an extensive jump kit in my vehicle for a while. It has since been scaled back to include 2x2's, 4x4's, wraps, 1 trauma dressing, bandaids, alcohol wipes, sterile saline, scissors, tweezers, adhesive tape and nitrile gloves all in a watertight container. I think it's fine for minor things and if it requires the local FD to show up, it'll hold 'em over.

[Jim34RL]

Our health directives and our living will along with the usually first aid material from an industrial first aid kit.

[Black]

Pretty much the same as previously stated.
I bought mine from Costco and it is labelled "Red Cross" for around 40$

[OKI Marine]

I think it depends on the need. We carry an epipen in ours due to someone in the family having a reaction to bee stings. Benadryl for other minor reactions. Q-tips and liquid soap for tick removal. I read that if you rub a a q tip with liquid soap on it on the tick that it will release. I have yet had to try it though.

[Herk7769]

Our Camper Medical Kit

 Antibiotic cream (Rotate)
 Extra Strength Benadryl cream (Rotate)
 Benadryl Spray and Capsules itch relief
 Trans-pore tape
 Blood Stop Spray (CVS)
 Tweezers w/ magnifying lens
 Sharp Scissors (large)
 Band-aids Waterproof Fabric (all sizes)
 Imodium AD and Ducolase (Rotate)
 IVAREST – Poison Ivy relief
 Robitussin – Cold and Cough (rotate)
 High Intensity LED flashlight
 Ibuprofen – Regular Strength and 800 mg (Rotate)
 Self Grip Wrap 4 inch wide
 Go-Gel Hand Sanitizer
 Therma-Care Heat wrap – Back
 Therma-Care Heat wrap – Neck/shoulder
 Icy-Hot Patch
 Chap stick (2 tubes)
 Day-quil Gel caps – 15 doses (rotate)
 Ny-quil Gel caps – 15 doses (rotate)
 Eye Glass Repair Kit
 Zovarix cold sore Ointment (1 tube – rotate)
 AfterBite Itch Eraser
 Large Gauze Pads
 Maxi-DEET insect repellant
 ACE Bandage
 Tongue Depressor (finger splint)
 First Aid Guide
 Cotton tipped applicators
 Caladryl Clear Bite and Itch lotion

Just added a Phillips AED after we got CPR training.
Will never leave home without it now.

I like the idea of putting copies of the Medical Directive in there, too.
Great Idea...

[pnwbrg]

How about a pocket mask and trauma shears along with that AED. I thought I was the only one who brings the whole emergency room along.

[LaxRef93]

Great list.. I'm going to have to check mine now, especially because we're going on a 10 day, 2 campground trip in early July.

[Jane1550]

Wine, Tequila, Rum....

[TURBS]

My first aid kit pictured.
im not sure what she's got in it but it works! And I get hurt often.


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[edcronin01]

Don't forget you pet's first aid kit. I have American Red Cross 1st aid kits and instruction books for both people and pets and have taken classes for people and four legged pets.

[youroo]

Whiskey & Aspirin! Youroo!!

[milvet33]

Originally Posted by edcronin01

Don't forget you pet's first aid kit. I have American Red Cross 1st aid kits and instruction books for both people and pets and have taken classes for people and four legged pets.

Good point that lots of pet owners don't think about. There are also a lot of APPS available with both instructions for caring for injured pets as well as 24 hour emergency phone numbers. Handy stuff to keep on your phone or Ipad. You can get a list of vet locations and telephone numbers (listed by city/state) on line. I usually know where we're going on our trips (subject to enroute changes the wife makes) and print out a list.

[Bowhnter]

added a snake bite kit to ours.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by pnwbrg

How about a pocket mask and trauma shears along with that AED. I thought I was the only one who brings the whole emergency room along.

The shears and mask are in the AED pouch.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by milvet33

Good point that lots of pet owners don't think about. There are also a lot of APPS available with both instructions for caring for injured pets as well as 24 hour emergency phone numbers. Handy stuff to keep on your phone or Ipad. You can get a list of vet locations and telephone numbers (listed by city/state) on line. I usually know where we're going on our trips (subject to enroute changes the wife makes) and print out a list.

I forgot about that; it is the red package in the dog's storage bin.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Bowhnter

added a snake bite kit to ours.

The last First Aid class I attended did not recommend these.

Apparently they cause more problems than they solve.

Lacerating a wound from a non-poisonous snake (or a venomous one that did not inject the poison (often happens) with a snakebite kit can result in a much more severe infection than just leaving it alone; washing with soap and water; bandage; then an ER visit.


TAKE A PICTURE OF THE SNAKE!
CALL 911

While waiting for medical help:

Move the person beyond striking distance of the snake.
Have the person lie down with wound below the heart.
Keep the person still to keep venom from spreading.
Cover the wound with loose, sterile bandage.

Do not:

Cut a bite wound
Attempt to suck out venom
Apply tourniquet, ice, or water
Give the person alcohol or caffeinated drinks

Snakebite Treatment: First Aid Information for Snakebite

If you must transport to the ER yourself IMMOBILIZE the patient.
Use or make a stretcher and let the wounded appendage hang down.

[DNBINFV]

If you have dogs, you might think about a rattlesnake avoidance class. All 3 of mine have been through it twice. Better to avoid than to have to treat.

[Mountndream]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

The last First Aid class I attended did not recommend these.

Apparently they cause more problems than they solve.

Lacerating a wound from a non-poisonous snake (or a venomous one that did not inject the poison (often happens) with a snakebite kit can result in a much more severe infection than just leaving it alone; washing with soap and water; bandage; then an ER visit.


TAKE A PICTURE OF THE SNAKE!
CALL 911

While waiting for medical help:

Move the person beyond striking distance of the snake.
Have the person lie down with wound below the heart.
Keep the person still to keep venom from spreading.
Cover the wound with loose, sterile bandage.

Do not:

Cut a bite wound
Attempt to suck out venom
Apply tourniquet, ice, or water
Give the person alcohol or caffeinated drinks

Snakebite Treatment: First Aid Information for Snakebite

If you must transport to the ER yourself IMMOBILIZE the patient.
Use or make a stretcher and let the wounded appendage hang down.

This is exactly what is taught for Wilderness EMT's as well. If you really want to carry something for a snake bite, carry benadryl. It may not help, but it will never harm

With that said, I carry a fully stocked Adventure Medical Mountian series First aid kit. I also have a trauma kit with Quickclot, in addition to the Epipen, as well. I should look into getting something for the Furry Kids.

[Herk7769]

Most likely I would get bitten again trying to get the best photo for the Herkbrary...

[prairiecamper]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Most likely I would get bitten again trying to get the best photo for the Herkbrary...

Herk, I want to camp near you, I only carry two bandaids! Seriously though that's pretty impressive.

The wife just went out to check ours, retired nurse.