Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

Hello,
Looking for opinions or suggestions for the best or most complete First aid/Medical kit!
Not looking for the backpacker size.I would like something SHTF out in the northwoods kind of thing.
Thanks in advance

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

I have seen great ones at gun shows. They have forceps, quickclot packs and many other field surgery necessities. I have not bought one yet. I do have a field surgery manual. Will probably get a kit sometime in the future.

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

How big is it, where did you get it and whos it from?

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

The very best ones are the ones you put together yourself based on the specific needs of you and your family.

Most of the pre-chosen packs use the cheapest components. You should check reviews and buy your own BP cuff, stethoscope, and at least 2 different types of thermometers.

Choose your own quality Ace bandages. Include things like blister bandages and moleskin, neither of which you'll find in a "kit."

You'll want more than just 2 pairs of disposable gloves. You'll also want a quality pair of medical scissors, not the crappy 1st grader ones found in most kits.

For out in the woods, you'll want insect bite relief & insect repellent.

You can purchase single-use components such as antibacterial cremes, different sized bandages, dressings, burn care, etc from an online store like Conney Safety or Emergency Essentials.

You can find medical bags on eBay or at places like Gall's.

Yes, it will cost more this way, but if you use a basic list from one of the larger kits you see that has its contents itemized, you can be sure to cover your basics and then upgrade those and add specialty items as you might need them. Do not forget to put a flashlight in your pack and a manual on basic First Aid. You'll need to know how to look for shock and internal injuries if you want to be effective. Just having the kit won't mean you/ll know what to do with it if you need it.

:s1:

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

Years ago I lucked on to a army first aid kit at an old army navy store,(local not the chain)
it had a surgical instrument set in it along with the other standard stuff.
It has the stuff that you can do field surgery with, with it you can cut and sew up wounds in emergency's
In a SHTF situation , it may not hurt to think along the line that some one may get hurt ,bad cuts , shot, etc..

That their are no doctors close or easy to get to and in a life or death situation ,,YOU may have to do it yourself at least to save a live until you can receive proper medical care, if it would be available ...

Just a thought...

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

I got it at a garage sale. It is a U.S. army manual from the 70's.

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

Ok,
Now we seem to be headed along the lines I was thinking!
Most of the kits available in my opinion are quite lacking.
I would like something that should the need arise I could treat gunshot wounds, snake bites,chemical weapon?,etc
Any suggestions for a "complete" setup are appreciated
I like the bp cuff and stethoscope idea's
Thanks

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

If your going to have a "complete" first aid kit, I would try to get some sort of pain medication, percocet etc, if you have some left over from an injury I would save it.

In canada you can get weak codeine OTC, great in SHTF, and would be very useful for injuries, I would stockpile if I were Canadian. In USA you can order Ultram from overseas w/o prescription, its a synthetic opioid analog. For some reason this is not in the same class as other opiates.

I wish there was something we Americans could get legally w/o all the hassel. Kratom is a herb that works alot like a couple vicodin or percocet, not technically not an opioid but it works on the same receptors, its perferctly legal at this time. One state (mass) trying to make it illegal.

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

Maybe include a couple flasks of Jack Daniels.

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

M-5 Medical Bag. Got it from Sportsmans Guide. Cost was $199.95, but I saved 20% because I am a member. It is what the field surgeons used. I also have some prescription strength pain relievers added to mine. All in all, it is a good set-up.

YMMV,
Jeff

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

There's a book called Where There is No Doctor that has some great field dressing and other serious info in it.
As far as snake bites, I bought the best snake bite kit I could locate and added that in it's own case to my pack.

Gun shots? Well, clamps and/or hemostats are readily available in a lot of surgical kits. I have a surgical kit much like Golddust's & there are a couple in it. They come in handy for a lot of things that really need more than just two hands. The wound dressings are fairly universal, so if you have a good variety, you should be set.

Chemical? Buy Potassium Iodide tablets from just about any preparedness store on the internet. Beprepared.co (Emergency Essentials) has most of this stuff and it can be bought as individual items.

Other than that, just sit down and make a list of what you would need for a variety of different emergencies and then cross reference so you don't buy too many of the same thing. Realize that you will likely not use most of the items, so don't go too overboard. Rolls of 3" gauze is something I keep a lot of for the versatility. Bandaids run out fast here. Also, don't forget your protective gear - eye protection, face masks, etc.

I also keep ear & eye wash in mine, poison ivy treatments, and a variety of OTC meds for inflamation, fever, pain.

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

A book a surgeon does not make.

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

I have never done surgery myself, but I used to sit in at a local veterinarians when I was a kid alot -- I watched them do it on cows and horses and dogs. I also worked in a slaughter house for years, so blood doesn't bother me.

Also, even if I failed to keep someone alive, at least I would try my best and have the equipment to possibly get it done.

My main interest is in being able to survive a possible gunshot wound to myself or my family-- stop the bleeding long enough to have a fighting chance of survival. Not trying to be a doctor.

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

No, it doesn't, but the book I listed shows how to help someone who is choking, how to close a large cut, how to care for serious burns, what to do for colds and flu and a myriad of other things that are taught in basic or advanced First Aid.

It does not show you how to remove someone's gallbladder.

I'd rather have a halfway intelligent adult with me who can help get a broken leg into a fixed position using a field manual until I can get to a real doctor than having to get there without stabilizing it.

I also HIGHLY recommend that anyone considering extended stays in an area where they would not have access to medical care take a course in basic First Aid and then even a course in advanced First Aid. It's not the same as having a medic with you, but it's certainly better than the alternative.

Re: Best or most complete first-aid/medical kit ?
 

Where There Is No Doctor Free download

The best first-aid kit is one that has what you need when you need it. You decide what you need.