Build your own First - Aid bag +
Sep 28 '04
The Bottom Line Build one, buy one, do whatever you need to, just have one!
Build Your Own First Responder kit
Over the years I have worked a quite a bit in the Emergency Medical Technician field. I was a California EMT 1A -D, off and on for around fifteen years. I also worked as a Combat Life Saver in the military. The Combat Life Saver focuses on trauma wounds and IV’s. We would stop the bleeding, insure the airway, treat for shock, start an IV and transport the soldier, ASAP. My training and actual medical calls in the civilian world were completely different but resulted in a ton of great experience, just the same. Your “scope of practice” is a huge issue in the real world environment. With law suits running ramped, you as the first responder, must be very careful not to over step your training.
I am a first aid freak. I like to put together first-aid and survival packs. I would build a first aid kit for my house and my car a little different. If I’m using the first aid kit in my house, it’d probably be someone in my family. I wouldn’t have to worry about getting sued here. On the other hand out on the highway, I’d be helping someone who may sue me at some later point in time. There are laws that cover the good pedestrian. On the other hand some gung ho wanna be paramedic could get someone killed if they mess up and go beyond their, Scope of Practice. Do not do anything more than you are trained to do, it’s that simple. Never give anyone, any kind of medication, including over the counter medicines or pain killers.
Here is what I have in my first aid kit in my car.
Pin light, penny scissors (medical scissors), SAM Splint, Two rolls of 4” gauze, 4X4 boat (small tub) of sterile dressings X2, medical tape, Duct tape, two pairs of Latex gloves, compress with long ends X2, Large abdominal wound dressings X2, tourniquet, large triangular dressing, alcohol wipes, Bedadine, Aspirin, cold packs X2, road flares X4, emergency rescue disposable blanket, CPR Shield, ammonia ampules, oral airways, and ACE wraps X2, Instant Hand Sanitizer, CPR Pocket Mask with Clamshell, sterile eye pads, bee sting swabs and a wide assortment of band aids.
My first aid kit at home includes all of the above along with these additional items.
Q-tips, cotton balls, Hydrogen peroxide, Iodine swaps, pain medications like Advil, Tylenol and Aleve, Cortisone, bag balm, Watkins ointments, topical antibacterial, Pain Relieving Burn Gel, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Burn Spray and lots of extra dressings and gauzes.
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That’s about all I can think of. You can never have too much. I like to have a whole bunch of different sized gauzes and dressings. You can never have enough training either. Even if you have taken a first aid or EMT class, you need to refresh your training every few years. Medical training and treatments constantly change. Everyone should try and stay current on their first aid and CPR cards, besides most employers like to have these folks around. Check with your local American Red Cross for classes. You can also check with your local fire department or college for these types of classes.
If you are too busy to put together a decent first aid, there are many good ones already assembled and ready to go.
Check these sites for first aid kits & supplies
www.firstaidsuppliesonline.com
www.fieldtex.com
Check this Red Cross web site for a local class
http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/
Get certified training on the Internet
http://www.emergencyuniversity.com/indi2.html
http://www.cprtoday.com/
US Government site
http://www.ready.gov/first_aid_kit.html
Thanks for the read,
~Mac
©2004 Joe McMaster
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