First aid kit

[RobD]

As a newbie to bushcraft I'm wondering what people put in their first I'd packs. I used to be (and may be again someday) a Scout Leader so am used to having big kits to cover every possible thing on a weekend camp.

However, I'm now interested to see what other bush crafty experts (shameless big up of forum members here) keep in their kits.

[FishyFolk]

As a newbie to bushcraft I'm wondering what people put in their first I'd packs. I used to be (and may be again someday) a Scout Leader so am used to having big kits to cover every possible thing on a weekend camp.

However, I'm now interested to see what other bush crafty experts (shameless big up of forum members here) keep in their kits.

Pressure bandage, triangle bandage (or a shemagh), band aids, compeed (for blisters), hand sanitizer, baby wipes, sports tape, safety pins, roll of gauze, cotton pads. etc

Thats it. I can't perform open heart surgery or mouth to mouth on myself anyway...

[Silverback]

Assuming you have the requisite training/knowledge and experience

Personal First Aid kit, nothing massive. Things you MAY want to CONSIDER adding.

Plasters & Large wound dressings, (a must really especially where you're using sharp stuff)
Tampons - Non Applicator Cheap ones are better...lighting fires and penetrating / stab /GS wound dressings
Cohesive bandage (vet wrap - sold in pound shops) great for lower leg support after sprains.

Duct tape ! Not lots but a couple or 3 metres wrapped round some plastic or another item. Has so many applications in Wilderness / Remote / Outdoor / Mountain First Aid e.g as a wound closure, and splinting for example and on top of that for repairing thermarests, hydration bladders and even rucksacks.

Foam roll mat and the aluminium internal framing from a rucksack makes good inprovised spliniting as does a walking pole or two

Painkillers i.e paracetamol, Paracodol,......over the counter stuff.
Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatories, i.e Ibuprofen, Diclofenac (Voltarol)
Dioralyte sachets - great for rehydrating once again these are over the counter
Anti Diarrhoea tablets the squits in the field ain't fun.
Anti Histamines, can be bought over the counter again (unless you have them on script).

The above are meant to be used by you on you

Couple of 0.9% saline irripods (if theres no safe water around)
Zinc Oxide tape.... good stuff

As Fishy said, compeed, hand sanitiser, wipes, calico triangular bandage although a shemagh/kafieyeh works just as well and has more uses.

Don't forget any prescription meds you may have to take.

On your person somewhere you COULD have some personal details... it helps if you're found unconscious or unable to answer.

As far as being a leader goes you get into the realms of responsibility and duty of care particularly in loco parentis this opens up an all new can of worms - so I'll leave that advice to the leaders on here, things have changed a lot since I was a leader/instructor

[jus_young]

Here is the Scout Associations view

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs140048.pdf

It is quite basic in its requirements but does state that specialist activities may have specific needs with regards to the FAK. As the person using the kit should be fully trained in First Aid then really its down to what they think they will need. I have a very comprehensive kit for woodland activities and Scout camps including burns kit and dressings, as well as basic splints if they should be required (have experienced a Scout with a leg fracture), emergency blankets in multiple numbers (had a case of hypothermia aswell) so should be covered for any expected (?) eventuallity. When it comes to my pesonal kit however things are quite different and a hell of a lot smaller. Plasters, dressings, minor burns kit (always carried and has helped a child in need before now), painkillers, tick removal tool, emergency blanket. Smaller quantities as its only me or some unfortunate soul that I may come across as opposed to 20 odd Scouts.

[Silverback]

Here is the Scout Associations view

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs140048.pdf

It is quite basic in its requirements but does state that specialist activities may have specific needs with regards to the FAK. As the person using the kit should be fully trained in First Aid then really its down to what they think they will need. I have a very comprehensive kit for woodland activities and Scout camps including burns kit and dressings, as well as basic splints if they should be required (have experienced a Scout with a leg fracture), emergency blankets in multiple numbers (had a case of hypothermia aswell) so should be covered for any expected (?) eventuallity. When it comes to my pesonal kit however things are quite different and a hell of a lot smaller. Plasters, dressings, minor burns kit (always carried and has helped a child in need before now), painkillers, tick removal tool, emergency blanket. Smaller quantities as its only me or some unfortunate soul that I may come across as opposed to 20 odd Scouts.


Cheers Jus. I knew someone would be along to help.

For the record i have a very comprehensive multi person kit too but that is based around me responding (with others) to a known location incident or whilst out on the hill "with my other hat on". In that case rules on consent, duty of care, ethics and a whole host of other legislation applies.

I forgot about the O tom tool maybe its because its always on my person, but yes a really valuable addition to any FAK.

For a general comparison here is the contents list for the new BSi 8599 workplace first aid kits.

http://www.firstaid.co.uk/BSi-Contents-List-ABSI_CONTENTS_LIST/

and a lifesystems outdoor specific kit

http://www.lifesystems.co.uk/products/first-aid-kits/adventurer-first-aid-kit.html

and another from another supplier

http://www.firstaidwarehouse.co.uk/xpp-travel_outdoor_first_aid_kit.html

[SimonB]

What I carry for my personal use, and what I carry on duty is decidedly different in a lot of ways.....

I have one kit for duties with St John Ambulance, which has the following...

Sick bags... 3
Clinical waste bags...3
Irregation solution pods..5
Plasters,all sizes and shapes.. 50
Sterile adhesive dressings,various.50
Sterile swabs,pack of 5..5
Non sterile swabs.. ? (Lost count !)
Triangular bandages...5
Conforming bandages, various sizes. 8
Sterile wound dressings,various.. 10
Sanitary towels...4
Micropore tape. 2.5 cm x 5 mtr.. 2
Plaster tape.. 1
Foil blanket... 3
Scissors.. 1pr
Shears..1pr
Resus face shields... 3
Alcohol wipes,personal use only..10
Paracetamol.. 1pk
Asprin, Cardiac pain use only.1pk
AED (If designated operator)
Dextrose sweets...1pk
Paperwork.
Gloves..... 10pr
Alcohol gel.. 1

My Community first responder kit has..
Gloves,
Oxygen bottle
Resus mask
Non rebreather mask
Bag valve mask
Tubing
OP airway management tubes
Bandages..3
Triangular bandage.1
Foil blanket.1
AED
Paperwork.
Alcohol gel.
Alcohol wipes.
Clinical waste bags.

MY First aid kit, for personal use has...

Plasters, various.. 20
Sterile adhesive dressings.. 5
Conforming bandage.. 1
paracetamol,
Asprin,
Anti histamine,
Diharolyte sachet.. 2
Sanitary towels... 4( multiple use.. Wound dressing, firelighting)
Superglue
Sterile pods..5
Vinegar
Bicarb of soda
Heat rub
Foil blanket
Vaseline
Zinc oxide tape..2
Moleskin.. 1 sheet.
Scissors
Shears.
Micropore for making steri strips...
Alcohol gel
Alcohol wipes.
Clinical waste bag.
Dispensed with Tampax, used to have them in my med kit in the army, but not likely to come across any GSW's these days, and stab wounds in the chest area can be covered with a film coated dressing packet and some tape....

One thing you will notice, is that they are all different, mainly due to regulations in the organisations I am with, which is St John, and Yorkshire Ambulance CFR scheme.

My personal kit is to be used by ME only, with only a few things I would consider using on another person.

[jus_young]

Some nice comparisons on the kits in those links. Its interesting to see that on the BSi compliant kit there is no requirement to have eye wash capsules included as these would be catered for with larger Eye Wash Stations. I bought eye wash capsules as one of the additional items to include within the 'Big Kit' as carrying large bottles of solution around is not really an option. They are also useful as a sterile wound wash if required.

This is the kit I bought which has been adapted to my needs

http://www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk/products/default.asp?productId=F30612

[SimonB]

Some nice comparisons on the kits in those links. Its interesting to see that on the BSi compliant kit there is no requirement to have eye wash capsules included as these would be catered for with larger Eye Wash Stations. I bought eye wash capsules as one of the additional items to include within the 'Big Kit' as carrying large bottles of solution around is not really an option. They are also useful as a sterile wound wash if required.

This is the kit I bought which has been adapted to my needs

http://www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk/products/default.asp?productId=F30612

They are great little kits, and they are now being issued to new members with their uniforms..
The only real concern with them is the lack of quantity when used on duties...
I bought one for myself, and added the extras detailed above to suit my own needs and is now sat happily in my pack.

[blindgeekuk]

My kit started life as a st johns mini first aid pouch, something along the lines of http://www.stjohnsupplies.co.uk/products/default.asp?productId=F30053
and over time as items have been used, they've been replaced and added to. My kit is a velcro based pouch and it is filled to bursting:

A variety of plasters of various sizes
1x Pair of non latex gloves
1x Sterile swabs
1x Emergency blanket
1x Triangular bandage
2x Medium unmedicated bandages
1x Small unmedicated bandage
1x Micropore tape (though I carry spares elsewhere in my rucksack)
4x Paracetomal tablets
2x Diclofenac tablets
Packet of tissues
2x Water treatment tablets
2x Anti histtamine tablets
Alcohol hand gel
Small burns patch
Medium burns patch
Cotton wool balls
Safety pin

[Silverback]

My kit is a velcro based pouch and it is filled to bursting:

I have a viper molle pouch for my bushcraft FAK so it can be attached to a belt or on the outside of a pack where its easily accessible.

As for my other kits they are in various bags representing the roles that they are for and so they are interchangeable with each other - my main response bag is 50L and has various contents specific to role i.e airway adjuncts (OP/NP/LMA), monitoring equipment, fluid replacement kit, Haemostats and wound care, ampoule bag. Each is colour coded for its place in the stepwise system. The joy of these other kits is the stuff I get is on issue so i don't have to worry about the cost of replacement at least of the consumables and medications the monitoring kit is all bought by me.

I have other stuff in my personal kit but as its for use by trained responders/personnel I left out of the discussion I didn't feel it was relevant at First Aid level

Regardless of size shape etc there is enough in my various kits to get through the 'Platinum' 10 minutes and the 'Golden' hour and to deal with the basic aches, pains, niggles, scrapes etc. After that like anyone else its transport to definitive care that saves the day and more importantly the life. - First Aid is just that, the initial assistance, reassurance and treatment to someone who is injured or suddenly taken ill until the arrival of the emergency services.

Air goes in and out, blood goes round, and round anything else is bad. ;)

One thing i forgot to mention in various places is the new 'Military Field Dressing' sometimes called the 'Israeli' Dressing - cracking bit of kit for major bleeds used all over the place by professional and lay responder alike, needs no specialist training or qualification. OK so its designed for GSW but useful for any large bleeding wound - axes/knives etc !!

http://www.spservices.co.uk/item/Brand_EmergencyCareBattleFieldDressingBandage-Military_23_0_1976_0.html

http://www.spservices.co.uk/item/Brand_EmergencyCareBandage-CivilianVersion-SINGLE_23_0_1975_0.html

http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/130731982305?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&cbt=y

[bushcraftybob]

If you need more than a plaster .. your in trouble .. !! .. thats my first aid kit !

[ian c]

I trained as a team medic in the army then went on to become a medic (RCMT 1) where i was taught how to reckonise signs an symptoms and treat anything from the common cold to blast injuries also did the BATLS course (battle field advanced trauma life support). My basic kit is many of the items listed above plus a few extras, i modify my kit to what i may be doing or planning to do. The above lists are very good for anyone starting out to make up a first aid kit to treat them selves, i will say it is always GOOD to get some proper training and keep up to date.

[OakAshandThorn]

Let's see...
I have 13 non-stick pads (of varying sizes), a bunch of band-aids, some cotton swabs, 20 yards of dressing tape (the non-adhesive kind that only sticks to itself), a small bottle of Hamamelis virginiana extract, and tea tree oil. I should probably add a bit of aloe vera gel and some Balsam Fir sap/resin as well.