Best First Aid/Trauma Kit?

[HK in AK]

Okay,

I am looking for a good professional level First Aid/Trauma Kit that is intended to be able to take care of severe injuries, including gunshots. For Medics out there, if you have a preference for your own custom kit, please share.

[usm2b]

Moving to a rough neighborhood?

I'd be interested to see this as well though.

[Chops]

http://www.narescue.com/Product1.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=28 are great base kits and affordable. Add chest seals, a few boo hoo items (which ideally should be carried elsewhere) and hemostatic (clotting) agent like QuikClot and it turns a good kit into a great one.

Guys a lot more qualified than me will give you better gen I'm sure but make sure you learn how (and more importantly, when) to use things like Israeli tourniquets, clotting agents and decompression needles before you are forced to use them for real. Get the right training and practice.

[ShotOver]

A Rifleman would not carry such a kit would they Chops, would be more of a platoon/Patrol medics job? Not necessarily going in to SOF SOP's.

Or maybe stuffed away in to a bergan.

[Chops]

Agreed PT- unfortunately. I am a huge supporter of the individual rifleman being as well trained as possible in combat lifesaving. Gives the digger confidence that if he goes down his mates will keep him together- at least in the short term.

[Sabre]

Okay,

I am looking for a good professional level First Aid/Trauma Kit that is intended to be able to take care of severe injuries, including gunshots. For Medics out there, if you have a preference for your own custom kit, please share.

What do you mean by 'professional level'?

What situation are you going into? What level of training do you have/do others with you have? What support do you have?

I could recommend kit for a minimally trained individual based on a combat role, then there is the 'team medic' or going higher a 'patrol medic' moving on up through to a doc. It all depends on who will be there to use the kit. There's no point carrying kit on the off chance that someone will work out how to use it when it matters.

For a basic kit, split it down into First Aid (daily bumps and scrapes) and Trauma. I keep these two separate. In my first aid kit are alcohol wipes, bog standard plasters, some larger (5x5) wound dressings and tape, plus pain relief (Ibuprofen, paracetamol, Codeine, diclofenac) generally enough for about 1-2 days of each. I also chuck in antihistamine, loperamide (bungs you up if you have the runs) and oral rehydration sachets (4-5). Add to that a set of tweezers for thorns etc that may get infected and a tick ****g thing (don't know the name) for prising the little buggers off you.

Trauma wise, I carry one OP and one NP airway sized to fit me, along with a compression dressing and 'medicut' decompression needle in my smock pocket plus a CAT on my yoke strap. I carry the same in a trauma pouch on my belt kit, with the addition of a chest seal, skin marker, a couple venflons (IV cannulae), Haemcon dressing, gloves and a small pen torch.

This is just initial care and is a mix of what is prioritised in trauma (ABC) and what is lightweight/low bulk. I don't carry fluids in my belt kit as I carry a larger med pack with yet more kit. I would advise someone who is going to stop at the above level to carry fluids though, not so they can run them through, but in a 'patrol' scenario, if every member carries fluids then the 'medic' will be able to pool it all together to treat the casualty.

This is just a rough guide. If you don't know how to use the kit, why carry it? Get yourself trained and have a med plan. That's the best advice I can offer. On the ground it is too late to be flicking through the Penguin book of Trauma!

[Sabre]

Agreed PT- unfortunately. I am a huge supporter of the individual rifleman being as well trained as possible in combat lifesaving. Gives the digger confidence that if he goes down his mates will keep him together- at least in the short term.

Same here mate. The old 'Battle Casualty Drills' as taught to the reg and terrier army were shockingly bad. Each year you'd get a 'revelation' when the powers that be decided to take the number of field dressings you can apply to one wound down from three to two...then instructors (who were probably not even first aid at work qual'd) would argue about it. Completely missing the point that if the blood's soaking through then the dressing is ineffectual and you need to turn off the tap asap "Out of sight, out of mind. Follow the drills." seemed to be the way.

Thankfully now the lads seem to be getting decent, up to date med training that actually accepts they have a bit of grey matter between their ears! :lol:

[Calanen]

tick ****g thing (don't know the name) for prising the little buggers off you.



Would that be the Tick Twister?

http://www.ticktwister.com/info.html

http://www.ticktwister.com/step2.gif

[K3rmit]

http://www.armor-solutions.com/trauma.htm?gclid=COit1rrcjYwCFRWOEgod0jjXBQ

Add to this an ambu bag and face mask, and a few extra quick clot agent satchets and you'll be flying.

http://www.narescue.com/HEMORRHAGE-AND-VASCULAR-ACCESS--C3.aspx

This was the kit my wife advised my brother in law to purchase and put together before he went to Afghanistan, and the medic he met at the scene of a multiple casualty RTA loved him forever when he slunk up with that lot slung on his chest.

[lt tahoe]

Anyone used Chitosan yet? Sounds like impressive stuff--but a price tag to match :(

[Hollis]

To sort of add or rephrase what has been said, this has been brought up before, the most important part of the kit is you. The Kit is only as good as your medical knowledge. Some people will persue more knowledge than the basic they are drill with, some will not.

The other aspect is staying current with the knowledge that you have acquired.

If you get a kit, get a first responder card/cert or something like a Advanced First Aid.


BTW thanks for the link to the kit, looks impressive. One item I would add, is a Sam's Splint. They are light weight and extremely versatile.

http://www.sammedical.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/SamSite.woa/wa/pages/Home

[K3rmit]

Anyone used Chitosan yet? Sounds like impressive stuff--but a price tag to match :(


The price tag is minimal considering what you get. have a look at the web site in mu post above (2nd link) and see that quick clot packs are only $ 28 dollars - so for some thing thats going to possibly save your life, thats a bargain.

[James]

When I'm overseas I have a kit that attaches to my vest. I carry a couple of these (http://www.firstcareproducts.com/) bandages, a few packages of vacuum packed kerlix (it takes less space when it's vacuum packed), a tourniquet, maybe a few tampons, a couple of triangular bandages and an Ascherman chest seal. In our vehicles we carry great big trauma kits the size of a suitcase.

Current training in my organization has gotten away from "Airway, Breathing, Circulation". We still take care of those things, but if someone is wounded on a limb, a tourniquet is the first thing we will do. A lot of guys who've died in Iraq and A'Stan had survivable wounds, but they bled out.

[Sabre]

Current training in my organization has gotten away from "Airway, Breathing, Circulation". We still take care of those things, but if someone is wounded on a limb, a tourniquet is the first thing we will do. A lot of guys who've died in Iraq and A'Stan had survivable wounds, but they bled out.

The 'MARCH' algorithm. Massive haemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Head injury/disability. Studies have shown that the breakdown of preventable combat deaths in Iraq and Afghan approximate to: 60% extremity haemorrhage, 30% Tension Pneumothorax and 10% airway obstruction. Hence the pressure dressings/CAT, thoracocentesis needle and NP/OP airways being carried.

[James]

^^ I never heard that term (MARCH) but that's exactly it. I also carry tubes to put in someones nose to help them breath if they have a facial injury, and we carry these curved plastic things to help intubate if necessary.

I'm horrible at remembering the proper names for all this stuff, hence "rubber tubes" and "curved plastic things".

[K3rmit]

ROFL.

Nasopharyngeal airways and Laryngoscope are what your thinking of, and the endotracheal tube is the actual part introduced into the airway, or if you have one handy a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) which are so much easy and quicker to introduce in an emergency.


Just don't forget your Bougie.

( I think that MARCH alogrim is fantastic - A sure life saver if ever I saw one).

[Sabre]

Aye James, by NP I meant nasopharyngeal. I'm just being lazy as I have to use these terms every day! A thoracocentesis needle is just a large bore cannula to stick in the chest in case of a tension pneumo, plus it has a syringe packed with it to blow out any tissue plugs.

MARCH is a good system that's slowly filtering through to the army as a whole. Civvies also use it now in centres that have a pre-hospital fast response unit I believe, except they call it 'C-ABC'.

LMA's are good but they're not definitive. A definitive airway being a cuffed tube placed within the trachea; apart from in kids where the cuff may not have to be inflated. LMA's still carry the risk of aspiration, but of course they're better than nothing. They're more useful in elective surgery where the risk of aspiration is minimal.

[K3rmit]

It was no dig I was just trying to put names to 'bits and bobs ' for others .. No offence meant.

LMA's I find can be grasped one hell of a lot easier by lesser trained staff, and poses no danger of over insertion and / or puncturing the trachea / carina.. (yes, I have seen it done once. I never, ever want to see it again!).

Back on topic, my kit if going into a place thats not so friendly would also contain some duct tape and a tube of super glue.

[Sabre]

Woah! No bother mate, wasn't having a go. I just read James' post and thought I'd gone too technical. ;)

Good points reference the training aspect, I'm by no means an expert at securing airways, I was more just offering up 'what I've been taught'.


Back on topic, my kit if going into a place thats not so friendly would also contain some duct tape and a tube of super glue.

Two things that should go with any soldier are gaffer tape (duct tape) and cable ties. This applies equally to his med kit. I know of at least one case where cable ties saved a bloke's life in the absence of a CAT. Of course that was very much a 'field expedient' measure, but it worked.

[K3rmit]

field expedient.

Those are the staples of the British armed forces. It might not be designed for being used as a (insert use here) but it damn well is now! So look sharp and make do.

[One Shot Tactical Supply]

For those who need advice or gear talk to Chris at CTOMS http://www.ctoms.ca/

He wrote the Canadian TCCC course and continues to be an innovative knowledge source for LE and Military medics.

CTOMS now teaches CF medics and provides them with the latest pouches that have the M.A.R.S. system in them.

Medics and those interested in first aid should sign up on his forum as well.

[Sabre]

Good link there. I like the look of the trauma dressing. Well thought out, but I'm sure the MoD would soon bin half the features on it to save a few pennies...:-(

[yiorgo]

the tactical response V.O.K is a great kit and cheap...very compact as well, you can buy that and maybe add a few things(quick clot or other clot agent)

or honestly just make your own here is my set up....all in a Blackhawk STRIKE medical pouch

(1) pack quick clot

(2) 5x9 abd pads

(2) 4x4s

(1) Nasopharyngeal Airway (30FR Robertazzi Style)

(1) 14ga x 3 ¼ Catheter

(1) TK-4 Tourni-Kwik Tourniquet

(1) Duct Tape

(1) pair gloves

(2) gauze rolls

(1) isreali bandage

(1) EMT scissors

(1) sharpie

some mole skin/small bandaids/and some meds(pain killers)


all fits very nicely in the medical pouch and very compact......buy something like the VOK its a great kit but can add a few things to make it better....I like putting my own together


http://www.tacticalresponsegear.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=37_118&products_id=2417

[James]

Has anyone else heard of drawbacks from products like kwik-klot? I've heard in the past year or so that improper use can cause exacerbate injuries, and a heavy bleed can dislodge the artificial clot, among other things. I don't carry any myself.

[Roy Batty]

Geeze, I should probably read to the end of a thread before answering! One Shot beat me by 3 whole hours <slaps head>.

[K3rmit]

http://www.genmedical.com/store/index.html?lang=en-uk&target=d2.html

Hey my wife just sent me the UK link to a company that provides quick clot products to the civilian market.

Good news all round really for those that can see the need for this product in their kit bag. Also see the sucking chest wound care pads lower down the page.

[K3rmit]

The safety problem in the way of QuikClot's wider use arises because of the large amount of heat the material releases when it absorbs water, sometimes enough to cause second-degree burns.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18925435.800-saved-by-sand-poured-into-the-wounds.html

This is no longer a problem as you can read in the article. It did suffer from this over heating problem, but if you read the whole article they have managed to over come this issue.

[James]

The safety problem in the way of QuikClot's wider use arises because of the large amount of heat the material releases when it absorbs water, sometimes enough to cause second-degree burns.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18925435.800-saved-by-sand-poured-into-the-wounds.html

This is no longer a problem as you can read in the article. It did suffer from this over heating problem, but if you read the whole article they have managed to over come this issue.

Thanks for the link.

[Yeoman]

carry a marker on you
jot down what you did, and time on the person

[Chops]

Good advice. Marker should also be used for 'time on' for tourniquets- normally on casualty's forehead.

[HK in AK]

Thanks guys for the info. I agree about the training. I will be going back and brushing up on EMS/EMT training courses.

[Chops]

Try and get former military instructors rather than civ/LE- there have been many recent advances in trauma management from OEF/OIF, sure a lot are filtering out but best to learn the tactical care side from guys who've been there.

[Sabre]

Has anyone else heard of drawbacks from products like kwik-klot? I've heard in the past year or so that improper use can cause exacerbate injuries, and a heavy bleed can dislodge the artificial clot, among other things. I don't carry any myself.

I've never used it 'in anger', but feedback I have heard was mainly centred on the original 'quickclot' granules. There was the problem with the exothermic reaction causing burns, but the main flaw was that it was designed to pour in and then pack. Certain wounds would hinder you pouring it in, and in deeper wounds it would be difficult to get the granules directly on the point of bleeding. There were also problems in the use of the granules in that the medic would just pour it in and expect it to work. It required a good 2 mins of pressure applied with gauze after application to work. That's why they came up with the sponge, which can be placed and held within the wound, at any angle.


http://www.genmedical.com/store/index.html?lang=en-uk&target=d2.html

Hey my wife just sent me the UK link to a company that provides quick clot products to the civilian market.

Good news all round really for those that can see the need for this product in their kit bag. Also see the sucking chest wound care pads lower down the page.

Are you in the UK? There are other places that sell quickclot and hemcom:

http://www.spservices.co.uk/index.php/manufacturers_id/58

http://www.exmedsupplies.co.uk/acatalog/Haemorrage_.html


carry a marker on you
jot down what you did, and time on the person

It's always a good idea to start documenting what has happened and what you are doing about it. For one, it is useful for the handover to a higher care team. That may happen at the tailgate of a chinook where not much talking is going to go on, you can just give them the records with a handover summary and they know exactly what's happened, how the casualty has fared and what you have attempted to do for them. Any info helps. You should record initial signs and symptoms, pulse (rate + which are present), resp rate, AVPU score, capillary refill as a minimum and again each time you reassess or intervene. A useful mnemonic is MIST:

Mechanism of injury
Injury(ies) sustained or suspected
Signs and symptoms
Treatment(s) given (and response to that treatment)

That is for a handover summary, but you can make a little grid with those headings down the side and time along the bottom, and just record the changes as time progresses/as you treat the casualty.

Remember that even in theatre, you aren't exempt from medico-legal shyte. If you've had any training (ie enough to know what NOT to do) then you can still be held accountable for any negligence. Notes help to save your arse as well as the casualties'. ;)