Topic: Trauma or blow out kit

[Jeff]

I'm in the middle of putting something together for Sawtooth Tactical.  Anything you guys want or think this type of kit should have?

For trauma:

I know the Israeli bandage is a must.  Probably an H&H TourniQwik or SOF Tactical Tourniquet.  Some kerlix and some H&H Primed gauze.

I'm thinking an Asherman Chest Seal is an option.

For basic first aid:

I like the AMK Ultralight and Watertight .5 or .7 first aid kit.

[Spiff]

Some kind of pain meds, topical ointments. I know these come in regular kits but if the trauma kit is all you have........

[Jeff]

You mean more than what comes in the AMK Ultralight and Watertight?

[Michael N]

I keep a pretty good first aid kit in my pack but would be interested in something along these lines as well . My pack follows me hunting and shooting which are the 2 places I would most likely need some stuff to deal with gunshot wounds or something more traumatic than a cut finger or blisters .

[JollyRoger]

Must have the CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet (sp?) ).  As well as an Israeli bandage...they are both really good for nasty wounds.

Also the kit should have two pieces of durable plastic squares...say 6x8".  Maybe that's what the Asherman is, havent seen one. 

[e11charlie]

I would suggest somekind of lactated ringers or other IV unit, I have used mine more than I ever thought I would. 

[Jeff]

I would suggest somekind of lactated ringers or other IV unit, I have used mine more than I ever thought I would. 

That might be good if you are trained and willing to do it.  I'm not going to sell that.  Can you even get that without a prescription?

[Spiff]

You mean more than what comes in the AMK Ultralight and Watertight?

I wasn't aware of what actually came in those kits. As a matter of fact I did not even know they were kits!!

[e11charlie]

That might be good if you are trained and willing to do it.  I'm not going to sell that.  Can you even get that without a prescription?

  Leagally no I dont think so.  But I am trained to use them. I have friends in the medical field that get me what I need.  They are handy in a pinch.

[Miss_me]

are these kits the kits that are like for in the cars?? cause i would like to make one... i've got some basic stuff but i really don't know all of what goes into one...

[Jeff]

Well, these are really a trauma kit.  For like a gun shot.  I see no reason why you wouldn't carry something like this is a car but it's just one part of a first aid kit.

[Miss_me]

OH i told my mom i wanted one of the car kits for my Jeep.. is that a bad thing lol i already knew they weren't going to buy me a gun so...

[Dan Barry]

Here's my $.02, take it for what it's worth.

Tourniquet (SOF-T is a great choice)

Pressure dressing.  I'm used to the Israeli, or even a 6 in ace wrap, if tied in a good tight square knot.  However, I think the H bandage is an even better choice.  It hasn't really been adopted by the Army, but the contractors use it a lot, or so I'm told.

Compressed gauze.  You need it for wound packing, otherwise the dressing will just sit on top of the wound and soak up blood.

Duct tape, those little rolls you get at REI for repairing gear are great, and they don't take up much room.

14 g. needle about 3 inches long for treating tension pneumo's.

Nasopharyngeal airway w/ packet of surgilube

Some type of hemostatic dressing, whether quikclot ACS (Advanced clotting sponge, I'd stay away from the powder), quickclot combat gauze, Hemcon, woundstat (not available yet), etc. 

1 safety pin (if worse comes to worse you can pin an unconcious casualty's tongue to his lip to prevent airway obstruction by the tongue)

Asherman chest seal--nice to have but not mandatory.  You can achieve the same effect with a piece of plastic and some duct tape.  Just have your 14 g. needle ready in case of a tension pneumothorax!

[Nomad]

 Great information..

[Jeff]

Dan, you didn't make it to the First Aid and Trauma Kit night last week (wish you had since I'm sure you have some good knowledge on the subject).  We had nearly everything on your list but the airway and the needle.  Both require some training IMO and I'm hesitant to recommend that someone carry them without that training.

[Dan Barry]

Well, sorry I missed it.  You have a legitimate concern about untrained personnel carrying the NPA and particularly the 14 g. catheter.  However, your personal medical kit is primarily designed to be used on you by someone else.  If you were a wounded infantryman and I was your medic, I would first use your IFAK or VOK (Individual First Aid Kit, Ventilated Operator Kit) before opening up my stuff.  The reason is I might have to continue mission after you are medevac'ed.  So I think it is a good idea to have these items so a trained person can use them on you.  The level of training required isn't very high, anybody who has taken a two-day medical class from Tactical Response, Suarez International or a military Combat Lifesaver class will know how to use these items.  Sounds like you guys are on a really good track!

[Norton1]

A knife and half of a writing pen will do for an airway kit. That's what I was taught. I've seen chest wounds treated with the celophane off a cigarette pack and a piece of tape. Just remember to turn them onto the injured side - 

Hurts like a son of a gun, least the noise folks make indicates this hurts, but it keep them breathing.

[Dan Barry]

Hey, it's extreme, but it's better than the alternative if you have nothing better!  I did see the MASH episode where he used the pen and a pocket knife to perform a cric, that was pretty cool.  To be honest I don't have a huge amount of trauma experience...American's just don't get hurt when I'm around.    I guess I'm good luck?