From nobody@flame.sinet.org Tue Apr 11 21:51:14 EDT 1995 Article: 9282 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!news.cac.psu.edu!news.tc.cornell.edu!www.geo.cornell.edu!news.alias.net!not-for-mail From: nobody@flame.sinet.org (Anonymous) Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Extensive Medical Field Kit (16K long) Date: 11 Apr 1995 01:32:16 -0400 Lines: 452 Message-ID: <3md491hcn@news.alias.net> Comments: This message did not originate from the above address. It was automatically remailed by an anonymous mail service. Please report inappropriate use to -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Introduction: What follows is a listing of items for inclusion in an extensive field medical kit. It is assumed that the reader has at least a nodding familiarity with advanced first aid principles and equipment. It is regretted that some of the items mentioned may be hard-to-obtain. Substitute freely. If you have a physician with whom you have a good working relationship, ask him or her for guidance in obtaining the uncommon and prescription items. The "Sources" list periodically posted to misc.survivalism may also provide pointers to companies (e.g., Moore Medical) that carry some of the items listed. Disclaimer: Nothing in this text is to be construed as medical or legal advice. Qualified professional assistance must be sought before medical treatment is rendered. This text serves only as a guide for discussion. YOU ASSUME ALL RISKS AND FULL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY AND ALL APPLICATION OF THIS MATERIAL. This text is not copyrighted and is to be distributed freely. Modifications will invalidate the PGP clearsigning. Criteria: This kit is designed to address an extensive variety of problems. It is therefore fairly large, although man-portable. Author Notes: I did not compile this list. The author has a broad background in treating field injuries and medical emergencies. If you disagree with the selections herein, change or substitute to suit your needs. Like me, the author wishes to remain anonymous. If there is sufficient interest, future posts may be made on related topics. Regards, NEMO - ------------------------------------------------------------------- PGP Public Key: 1024/ED58C5D9 1995/03/30 Nemo Key fingerprint = 92 86 72 3B 9F C0 4E 23 2D DF EE C7 4C 66 9F 1A - -----BEGIN PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- Version: 2.6.2 mQCNAy96XSEAAAEEAMz+5q54EnuenkK5+VElV8A+OakHdFYZyoiA2HWCV/clNAPi KhNG/vV8Vo6f8WFXXMqeTDp0LCvNBqoZRBp3nkqyKzwFcOmZP6/LWK6glROfDV7/ VDHbrJa4ijg1Ok13hrWgKEfGyOL5O92XYCicdx0XCCLgduY0LkuBL+rtWMXZAAUR tBVOZW1vIDxuby1vbmVAbm93aGVyZT4= =2g9P - -----END PGP PUBLIC KEY BLOCK----- - ---------------------------begin---------------------------------------- Emergency Medical Pack, Field, Comprehensive Items marked with an asterisk (*) are optional, depending on the user's needs and/or level of skill. NOTE: It is prudent to familiarize oneself with the infectious diseases endemic to the area one expects to travel to or through and be immunized accordingly Pharmaceuticals: Analgesics Acetaminophen 500 mg gel-coated Aspirin (buffered) 500 mg Percocet Proparacaine, Ophthalmic solution Morphine, injectable (*) Anesthetics, local (*) Xylocaine, 1% Xylocaine, 1% with epinephrine Marcaine Longer acting than xylocaine Antimicrobials (*) Antifungal foot powder/liquid Tinactin Micatin Antimalarials (see note 01) Prophylaxis: Chloroquine Phosphate 500 mg (zone A) Mefloquine 250mg (zones B & C) Treatment: Chloroquine Phosphate 500 mg (zone A) Quinine Sulfate 300 mg or Doxycyline 100 mg or Clindamycin 450 mg (zones B & C) Consult local health department or "Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy" to determine which strains of malaria are endemic in the region you expect to travel in/near, and the recommended therapy. Bacitracin Ointment (single use foil packages) Many are sensitive to ointments containing neomycin. Single use foil packets are less likely to rupture than a large tube, and if one does, the mess will be much less. Biaxin 500 mg Broad spectrum, useful for respiratory infections Flagyl 500 mg Antiparasitic, and also effective against many anaerobic bacteria. Keflex 500 mg Broad spectrum, useful for wound and respiratory infections. Polysporin Powder May be sprinkled into a deep wound if definitive medical care is going to be delayed. Rocephin 1000 mg for injection, lyophilized (*) Silvadine Ointment Topical antimicrobial, useful for burns. Saline, sterile, for injection, 3 cc vials Used to reconstitute rocephin. Septra DS Useful for many forms of bacterial sinusitis, as well as travellers' diarrhea. Water Although not a pharmaceutical in the traditional sense, potable water (disinfected with chlorine or iodine tablets, or filtered) is the best way to disinfect/clean a wound that extends below the dermis. While sterile water intended for irrigation is preferable, clean, disinfected water is preferable to dirt, bugs, and leaves in a deep wound. Betadine solution should not be used to irrigate a deep wound in the field in the vast majority of cases. Water Purification Tablets Emergency Drugs Epinephrine Injector (1:1000) Essential for treatment of anaphylactic reactions to poisonous bites/stings. Charcoal, activated, suspension Ipecac, Syrup Never induce vomiting in cases of poisoning due to caustic substances or petroleum distillates. Glucose concentrate, oral Inhalants, ammonia Gastrointestinal Levsin SL 0.25 mg An excellent treatment for cramps associated with gastroenteritis. Intravenous Solutions (*) Ringer's Solution, Lactated 5% Dextrose in Water (D5W) Normal Saline Other DEET (At least 30% concentration) insect repellant. Consumables Bandages, adhesive, butterfly Useful to close minor lacerations. Steri-strips are a good alternative, but tend not to stick well without benzoin skin prep. Bandages, adhesive, fabric Carry assorted sizes, including 2x3" and finger tip. Bandage, self-adherent (Coban) 2" rolls make an excellent replacement for adhesive tape to secure a dressing. Bandages, triangular Useful for cravats, slings, and tourniquets Benzoin Applicator Ampules Skin prep ampules to ensure adhesive dressings stick. This can be very useful in a field setting. Blanket, emergency, aluminized Cautery unit, battery-powered, disposable (*) A quick way to stop bleeders that are too small to ligate and too large to stop quickly under direct pressure. This device is about the size of a disposable pen-light. Cervical collar, disposable Cotton, absorbant, sterile Can be used for extra packing in a wound dressing or to cushion a splint. Also useful to fashion a temporary dental filling, soaked with eugenol Dressings, field, battle-type Military issue field dressings, if in undamaged packages, are excellent, compact dressings. Dressings, burn, gel, hydrophillic Minimizes contamination and fluid loss. Dressings, burn, sheet-type Allows coverage of large areas, and is permeable to aqueous irrigants. Dressings, eye patch, with metal shield Dressings, gauze, sterile 2x3" & 4x4" Dressings, occlusive Tegaderm Xeroform Eugenol (*) Soak cotton pledget to temporarily replace lost dental filling. Gloves, latex Ice pack, chemical Useful to minimize pain/swelling of sprains and poisonous bites/stings. Moleskin Packages of 3x6" sheets. Use BEFORE blisters appear. Prep pads, Alcohol Useful for cleaning instrument tips and injection sites. Also useful to clean the edges of a wound prior to applying steri-strips or butterfly bandages. Scrub, surgical, Phisohex An antimicrobial cleaner that is a good alternative to Betadine. It is less likely to cause a skin reaction. I do not recommend the use of topical disinfectants to clean/irrigate a deep (below the dermis) wound. Splint, wire mesh This is excellent for arm/wrist splinting. It is unit-packaged the size of a deck of cards. Sutures, individually packaged, with needle (*) 3-0 and 4-0 Nylon 3-0 Vicryl/Dexon Tape, adhesive, cloth A 2" roll is useful for dressings where Coban cannot be used, also to temporarily stabilize a sprained extremity. Towel, cleaning, moistened (Wash 'n' Dry or baby wipes) Many contain antimicrobials and are useful to clean abrasions. Zinc Oxide Powder (*) This can be made into a paste with eugenol to form a temporary filling. Equipment Airways, oropharyngeal, disposable Blades, scalpel, #11 and #15 Clamp, hemostatic Dowel, wood, 1/4" x 6" Used to make "Spanish Windlass" tourniquet with a cravat bandage. Eye Magnet/Foreign body loop To lift foreign objects off of eye Never remove a foreign object that penetrates the globe of the eye. Flashlight, AA size, Mini Maglight Forceps, fine tip (tweezers) Forceps, Adson (fine tip with teeth) Hypodermic needles 25 ga. x 1" Intravenous infusion sets (*) Intravenous needles, angiocath (*) I recommend 20 ga. 1 1/2" and 18 ga. 1 1/2" Intravenous needle, angiocath, 16 ga. (*) For emergency cricothyrotomy Intravenous needle, butterfly, 18 ga. (*) For rapid IV access when an indwelling IV catheter is not needed. Mask, bag-valve type (ambu-bag), single patient use (*) Useful for resuscitating respiratory arrest Mask, pocket, with one-way valve For administering CPR Needle Holder Oxygen, USP (*) As large a cylinder as practical to carry Ring cutter Scalpel handle, #3 or #7 type Scissors, bandage, 4" Scissors, "paramedic" type Syringes (*) 5 cc for local infiltration 60 cc for emergency thoracentesis Sphygmomanometer Stethoscope Littman Classic II or Cardiology II Miscellaneous Survival Dental Floss This is an excellent lashing material, takes up little room, and has tremendous tensile strength. Entrenching Tool Fire starting equipment Magnesium bar with striker Matches, waterproof Hatchet Ice Axe Knife High quality rugged knife (with sharpening steel or stone); Examples (in no particular order): Cold Steel "Recon" series (SRK, Tanto, Scout) Buck models 119, Nighthawk Randall models 1, 14, 15, 16 Gerber models LMF, BMF Busse Steel Heart II SOG models Seal 2000, SF Bowie A back up knife is also recommended, such as: Spyderco Clipit Series Benchmade AFCK Swiss Army Knife Multi-Tool Leatherman Gerber Multi-Plier Paracord Useful for lashing poles for a shelter, or fixing a blade to a pole for a spear. Radio, two-way Lap top computers with PGP and ham radios that are packet-capable are a relatively inexpensive method of secure, near real-time communication. Many VHF ham hand radios also receive NOAA weather frequencies. Rope 200' Climbers' rope Figure 8 descender Saw, wire Signaling Devices Aerial flares Signal mirror (Gerber) Smoke Grenades Strobe, battery powered Whistle Survival Rations MREs, dehydrated "backpacking" food. Potable water, and/or a means to filter/disinfect water Useful References: Advanced First Aid American Red Cross Advanced Trauma Life Support American College of Surgeons Emergency War Surgery US Government Printing Office Flint's Emergency Treatment and Management Harvey D. Cain, M.D. Medicine For Mountaineering James A. Wilkerson, M.D. The Merck Manual Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy Jay P. Sanford, M.D. US Army Special Forces Medical Handbook United Stated Army Institute for Military Assistance Notes: 01 Zone A includes Central America, Carribean Islands, Middle East (not including North & South Yemen), the Northwest part of Afhganistan, and Northeastern China Zone B includes India and all countries on its northern borders, North & South Yemen, Northwest Afghanistan, Southeast Iran, Sumatra, parts of Borneo and Malasia. Zone C includes All of Africa south of 20 degrees north latitude plus Madigascar, all of Southeast Asia except as otherwise indicated, New Guinea (and islands in the immediate vicinity), plus parts of Borneo and Malasia. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 iQCVAwUBL4n7skuBL+rtWMXZAQHc3gP9EB0VowS7mAh94ZN5zf0+3Ior5yc8aXOa TMuxPSWZQWBsPx6oPwIxRDLJZyyM4095U3HKZqyimhoiziyh26yG2807mEXOehsb rSA8u8ScAUtrcv7i0jApxDTp67M3knzpNmJvCbgbEl06M91ZdekEjr+FmKKnEAQO cNu1/xtpNHQ= =FYPd -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- From guigley@aries.scs.uiuc.edu Thu Oct 6 14:28:02 EDT 1994 Article: 1966 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!inxs.ncren.net!taco.cc.ncsu.edu!gatech!news.byu.edu!hamblin.math.byu.edu!yvax.byu.edu!news.cuny.edu!swiss.ans.net!solaris.cc.vt.edu!news.duke.edu!convex!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!arie s!guigley Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Prepared First Aids Kits? Check out American Red Cross ... Message-ID: From: guigley@aries.scs.uiuc.edu (Kevin S. Guigley) Date: 5 Oct 94 04:10:12 GMT Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana Keywords: First Aid Kits Summary: Nice Kit, for cheap price NNTP-Posting-Host: aries.scs.uiuc.edu Lines: 16 After Reading this group for abit, I decided to go back and get my American Red Cross Standard First Cert. Tonight was CPR, but thurs is wounds, but the instructor mentioned casually about the American Red Cross First Aid Kit. I checked it out after class and it contains the basics like 3 gauze rolls, and serveral different sized pads, antiseptic pads, disposable gloves, EMT style scissor, tweezers, tape, trangular bandage, and a space blanket. It all comes with a felt case, and it's only $25. It's a nice start, and you can always add more. I always like to have dental wax in my kits. But, if you are looking to start with a nice size kit, and being IMHO an ok price, I think it's ok. Check it out before, buying something else. later, Kevin I am not in anyway connected with the ARC, just a guy taking a class. From greg@antizen.ebay.sun.com Sat Sep 17 11:52:15 EDT 1994 Article: 245 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!inxs.ncren.net!taco.cc.ncsu.edu!gatech!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!olivea!koriel!male.EBay.Sun.COM!antizen!greg From: greg@antizen.ebay.sun.com (Yes, I'm still here...) Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Re: Best commercial first aid kit? Date: 16 Sep 1994 19:46:02 GMT Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc. Lines: 31 Distribution: world Message-ID: <35cslq$69u@male.EBay.Sun.COM> References: Reply-To: greg@antizen.ebay.sun.com NNTP-Posting-Host: antizen.ebay.sun.com David asks; > I used to be an EMT and put together my own jump kit. It has everything >that I generally need while in my car, but I'd like to find something >better for long term survival. Adventure Medical Kits puts out the closest to what you're probably looking for, IMHO. Frankly, I believe in "training first". Carry what you know how to use. Lots of people ask about kits who don't have any current training, or whose training is not appropriate. The approach for them seems to be based around carrying lots of meds and advanced stuff (usually sutures and narcotics). With this approach there's a great potential for making things worse, which defeats the whole purpose. But, to each their own. Western Mountaineering, in San Jose CA, carries the full line of Adventure kits. You might want to call them and get a number to recieve a catalogue. Greg From BILLY@urhep.pas.rochester.edu Sat Sep 17 11:52:55 EDT 1994 Article: 236 of misc.survivalism Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!zip.eecs.umich.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!ub!galileo.cc.rochester.edu!news From: BILLY@urhep.pas.rochester.edu (Bill VanRemmen) Subject: Re: Best commercial first aid kit? In-Reply-To: greg@antizen.ebay.sun.com's message of 16 Sep 1994 19:46:02 GMT Message-ID: <1994Sep17.031154.26790@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> Sender: news@galileo.cc.rochester.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: urhep.pas.rochester.edu Organization: University of Rochester, High Energy Physics References: <35cslq$69u@male.EBay.Sun.COM> Date: Sat, 17 Sep 94 03:11:54 GMT X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.24 Lines: 83 In <35cslq$69u@male.EBay.Sun.COM> greg@antizen.ebay.sun.com writes: > based around carrying lots of meds and advanced stuff (usually sutures > and narcotics). With this approach there's a great potential for making > things worse, which defeats the whole purpose. I recently started putting together a first-aid kit and made a list of things that I new how to use and would want to have in a pinch. I didn't include things like cervical collars and IV's because I'm not an EMT and wouldn't know what to do with them. Basicly, I wanted to be able to handle the commonest of injuries long enough to give the pros a chance to respond, if necessary, and to be able to handle those little annoyances (like colds and bug bites) that make being outside miserable. You will notice that most of the materials are for treating minor wounds. I suspect that in a real survival situation, with a breakdown in our personal hygiene, we would be really susceptible to infected cuts. Most people can be trained with minimum effort to check for and treat problems with 'breathing, bleading and shock'. Hence the profusion of bandages and a couple space blankets (maybe one of those plastic airways, but I don't know how much training beyond basic mouth-to-mouth they require). Anyway, here's the list Hot Pack Cold Pack 3 x 5 military-style bandages (are these Carlisle Bandages?) Ace bandage adhesive tape betadine neosporin 'band-aid' type bandages 2" adhesive gauze pads 2" gauze pads 4" gauze pads 2" gauze strip/bandage scissors penny cutters cigarette lighter (quick sterilization of needles and fire starter) straight pins (survivalists get splinters, too) tweezers felt tip permanent marker (...I will mark the casualty's forhead with a 'T'...) x-acto knife vaseline isopropyl alcohol soap wash-n-dry towlettes burn bandages (the water/gel based things) penlight cotton balls space blanket (for preventing shock or hypothermia) ibuprofen aspirin acetaminophen sudafed some oral antihistimine benadryl spray (my wife is sensitive to bug bites) ammonia (smelling salt replacement and takes the itch out of mosquito bites) cold medcine bactine ben-gay tinactin throat losenges clorox (can be used to treat questionable water in a pinch) q-tips -Bill VanRemmen, KA2WFJ billy@urhep.pas.rochester.edu URHEP::billy My opinions. No one in their right mind would claim otherwise. ============================================================================== "Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficient . . . the greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding." Justice Louis Brandeis Olmstead vs. United States, United States Supreme Court, 1928 ============================================================================== From rja@Eng.Sun.COM Sat Sep 17 11:53:38 EDT 1994 Article: 262 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!convex!convex!hermes.oc.com!news.kei.com!yeshua.marcam.com!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!olivea!koriel!male.EBay.Sun.COM!news2me.EBay.Sun.COM!engnews2.Eng.Sun.COM!usenet From: rja@Eng.Sun.COM (Robert Allen) Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Re: Best commercial first aid kit? Date: 16 Sep 1994 20:30:35 GMT Organization: Sun Microcomputer Corporation Lines: 101 Message-ID: <35cv9b$ldr@engnews2.Eng.Sun.COM> References: Reply-To: rja@Eng.Sun.COM NNTP-Posting-Host: batcomfs.eng.sun.com In article 1609941116000001@144.52.104.196, kovar@nda.com (David C. Kovar) writes: + + I used to be an EMT and put together my own jump kit. It has everything +that I generally need while in my car, but I'd like to find something +better for long term survival. + + Can anyone recommend a commerical first aid kit designed for long term +survival that is well thought out and well put together? One reason I want +something commerical is that they are generally packaged better than anything +I can do myself. I have bought all the correct pieces myself, but I end up +with a lot left over, and it is not as neatly packaged as I would like. The best ones around are made by the Adventure Medical Kit company in Oakland, CA. More and more outdoor stores are carrying these. REI already carries them. They come in distinctive blue carrying cases, and in sizes from very small, to a car kit. There are special kits (and refills) oriented towards wound cleaning & dressing, oral rehydration kits, hypo/hyper-thermia kits, etc. The company is owned by Dr. Weiss, who I posted earlier info from about water treatment. Based on my not-small knowledge of first aid, Dr. Weiss knows whence he speaks. His company also sells a $4.95 booklet on first aid which is the best for its' scope I've seen. I've built my own kit. I have a duplicate kit in my car, motorcycle, and daypack, and I carry an additional non-duplicated kit which has specialized things like meds and sutures (although the longer I have them, the less I plan on ever using sutures). My carry kit: * bag of 3" x 3" gauze pads, roller bandages, and telfa pads. * betadine prep pads (also useful for purifying water for wound irrigation) * 1 compressed trauma dressing * disposable space blanket * insta-glucose paste (for hypothermia treatment) * pocket CPR microshield * condoms (for a variety of uses) * crazy glue, steri strips, tincture of benzoin swaps (for closing wounds w/out using sutures; no, I don't use the crazy glue to glue wounds shut) * syringe & cannula for cleaning wounds w/ water stream. * knuckle bandaids, alcohol swabs (primarily for use when I need a solvent, not for use as disenfectant), rubber gloves, safety pins. The above all fits in an REI pouch about 5" x 7" x 4". In a second pouch, a US military 30 round M16 magazine pouch, I have a rolled up ACE bandage, cortisone cream, NeoSporin Plus, dibucaine ointment (anesthetic), wide range thermometer, EpiPen, and (this is most cool) a small fishing lure box with lots of little compartments -- each compartment has a small ziplock bag full of useful over the counter medications such as Aspirin, Benedryl, etc. Both pouches together can be carried on my belt if need be, and allow me to treat most problems I'm going to encounter. I also have a Laerdal CPR pocket mask in my backpack because it's easier to use than the pocket microshields. I also have a pair of EMT trauma sheers which rattle arond in my pack, and a pen & pad of paper. I have other stuff at home which I don't carry, such as lots more dressings, meds, plus stethescope & BP cuff, but those aren't needed for most things I'm likely to have to do. What good is having a pile of stuff if none of it is around when you need it because it's too heavy? Of course, all the stuff above isn't useful w/out training, and continued practice. I get my training by helping instruct a Wilderness Medicine Course in the San Jose, CA area once or twice a year, and working at volunteer medical events. For those interested, another one is coming up next month, October 8th & 9th. It's conducted by Earthbound Medical Rescue, costs $150, and it's a very good class. The contacts for it are: Earthbound Medical Rescue 390 N. 12th st., San Jose, CA 95112, phone: 408/275-9542. Finally, in keeping with the philosophy of not becoming a second victim, my Tetanus booster is up to date, and I'm immunized against Hepatitis B. --- Robert Allen, rja@sun.com DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer. The Constitution of the United States: R.I.P, 8/26/94 From kovar@nda.com Sat Sep 17 11:54:14 EDT 1994 Article: 265 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!inxs.ncren.net!taco.cc.ncsu.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!usc!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!olivea!trib.apple.com!amd!news.kgc.com!kpc!NewsWatcher!user From: kovar@nda.com (David C. Kovar) Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Re: Best commercial first aid kit? Date: Fri, 16 Sep 1994 15:52:17 -0800 Organization: Net Daemons Associates, Inc. Lines: 70 Message-ID: References: NNTP-Posting-Host: 144.52.104.196 In article , rdh@arriva.dr.att.com (131E50000-HolderR(DR2688)300) wrote: > As an EMT, you must have a good idea of what exactly should > go into such a kit. Would you please share the contents of > your homemade kit with us, Mr. Kovar? Being an EMT doesn't give me a good idea of what should be in there, unfortunately. I'd love to take a wilderness EMT course, and then I'd have a better idea. EMTs, *in general*, must stabilize a patient and get them to the hospital as fast as possible. You stock up with tools, and training, for stabilization - splits, bandages, MAST trousers, O2, breath masks, and the like. If you want to practice wilderness medicine, or medicine for survival situations, you have to be thinking about long term care and treatment, not just stabilization. MAST trousers (inflatable trousers for treating shock, essentially) are less usefull when you're 4 days away from medical care. Your best option is to find a wilderness medical course. Ski patrols teach a very good one. One is being taught in San Jose on Oct 8th and 9th, I think. There are others around. The *training* is the important part. Without that, the best first aid kit is pretty much useless. A book on wilderness first aid would also provide a good list of what you'd want to carry. *Completely* off the top of my head, I'd want to have: Bandaging materials * Sterile gauze, bandages, and tape * Trauma pads Splint materials * Splint boards. * Folding splint, perhaps * Several slings. (Good for splints, slings, dressings, pads, etc.) Tools * Rescue shears * Scalpel * Flashlight * Pen * Notepad * Stethescope * BP cuff * Breath mask Fluids * Alcohol * Sterile water * Betadine That's what is in my current kit. I don't carry any medicines as it is illegal for me to dispense them. Oxygen falls under the same category. For survival issues, with no regards to legal issues, I'd probably add: * Painkillers * Muscle relaxants * Various other over the counter medicines * O2 * A lot more of everything in the standard kit * A library of books. Wilderness medicine, herbal remedies, etc, etc *Please* do not take this as an exhaustive list. Please *do* read up on it yourself, get the required training, and know how to use it. -David From rja@Eng.Sun.COM Sat Sep 17 11:55:37 EDT 1994 Article: 295 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!inxs.ncren.net!taco.cc.ncsu.edu!gatech!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!usc!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!olivea!koriel!news2me.EBay.Sun.COM!engnews2.Eng.Sun.COM!usenet From: rja@Eng.Sun.COM (Robert Allen) Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Re: Best commercial first aid kit? Date: 16 Sep 1994 23:56:48 GMT Organization: Sun Microcomputer Corporation Lines: 121 Message-ID: <35dbc0$n6n@engnews2.Eng.Sun.COM> References: Reply-To: rja@Eng.Sun.COM NNTP-Posting-Host: batcomfs.eng.sun.com In article 1609941552170001@144.52.104.196, kovar@nda.com (David C. Kovar) writes: + + Being an EMT doesn't give me a good idea of what should be in there, +unfortunately. I'd love to take a wilderness EMT course, and then I'd +have a better idea. EMTs, *in general*, must stabilize a patient and +get them to the hospital as fast as possible. You stock up with +tools, and training, for stabilization - splits, bandages, MAST +trousers, O2, breath masks, and the like. + + A book on wilderness first aid would also provide a good list of what +you'd want to carry. *Completely* off the top of my head, I'd want to +have: + +Bandaging materials +* Sterile gauze, bandages, and tape +* Trauma pads The bandages don't need to be sterile, since the moment you open the package in a non-sterile environment the contents will cease to be sterile. The wound won't be sterile either. Fortunately there is a discount on non-sterile packed bul bandage materials :-). + +Splint materials +* Splint boards. +* Folding splint, perhaps +* Several slings. (Good for splints, slings, dressings, pads, etc.) All these things are improvised on site, from parts of backpacks, clothing, or if necessary, the surrounding natural environment. I do carry a couple of military surplus triangular bandages, but I use them as head-kerchiefs or sweat rags, not for slings :-). +Tools +* Rescue shears The shears are nice, but when I go backpacking I don't carry them due to bulk and lack of versatility. Instead I carry a swiss army knife with blades and scissors. It's a pain to use trauma sheers to cut fine pieces of molefoam. +* Scalpel My swiss army knife is sharp enough for any work I have to do. +* Flashlight +* Pen +* Notepad Yup. I carry these when backpacking anyhow. +* Stethescope +* BP cuff Nope. In the wilderness these things are nice, but not necessary. Aside from taking the BP, the steth. doesn't seem particularly useful, and you probably won't be taking BP in the wilderness. Odds are I'll be listening only for breath sounds, to detect internal injuries, and I can do that w/out a steth. +* Breath mask If you mean a CPR protective mask, I strongly agree! Dr. Weiss told an interesting story about a river rafter who stopped to give CPR to a victim of a fall from the riverside. The fall victim later died, and was diagnosed as having Hepatitis B! The rescuer was sure wishing he had a CPR mask. + +Fluids +* Alcohol +* Sterile water +* Betadine All you'll need is some betadine prep pads and clean water. I carry PolarPure to purify my drinking water, and according to Dr. Weiss (who's on a grant to study the use of sterile saline, betadine, and plain water for wound irrigation), use of clean water will have the lowest chance of contributing to bacterial growth in a wound in the wilderness. Pure betadine was the highest and sterile saline was next down on the list. 8 drops of betadine (*NOT* the Betadine surgical scrub!) per quart, left to sit for a while, will reportedly purify the water enough that it can be used to irrigate even deep wounds. Cut the corner off a prep pad envelop and squeeze out the betadine into water. I carry a 1 oz bottle of HibaClens (an anti-bacterial soap) to use in diluted form to clean scrapes and abrasions, but I think I'll replace that with Dial soap, so I can use it double duty for cleaning my clothes, dishes, etc. +For survival issues, with no regards to legal issues, I'd probably add: +* Painkillers +* Muscle relaxants +* Various other over the counter medicines The prescription meds I carry currently are Tylenol #3 (tylenol w/ codeine) and Keflex (an antibiotic). I also have Epinepherine (for anyphalactic emergencies) and Lydocaine (for if I ever have to debride a wound before closing it; an unlikely occurance). All these meds are for my personal use on myself only however. I would never presume to use them on someone else -- I'm not a doctor. + +*Please* do not take this as an exhaustive list. Please *do* read up on +it yourself, get the required training, and know how to use it. Ditto! --- Robert Allen, rja@sun.com DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this posting are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer. The Constitution of the United States: R.I.P, 8/26/94 From timm@newbridge.com Tue Sep 20 22:11:32 EDT 1994 Article: 606 of misc.survivalism Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!news.tamu.edu!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!bcarh8ac.bnr.ca!bcarh189.bnr.ca!nott!nbkanata!newshost.newbridge.com!Tim.Meyer From: timm@newbridge.com (Tim Meyer) Subject: Re: Best commercial first aid kit? Message-ID: X-Posted-From: InterNews 1.0@6100120138in-addrarpa Lines: 22 Sender: -Not-Authenticated-[5060] Organization: Newbridge Networks Corporation References: <35korf$hpj@male.EBay.Sun.COM> <35kuh4$84i@engnews2.Eng.Sun.COM> Date: Tue, 20 Sep 1994 23:20:38 GMT Xdisclaimer: No attempt was made to authenticate the sender's name. I spend a lot of time on business travel in Latin America, and I consider my shaving kit my first-aid survival pack :) Some additions to the lists I've seen go by would include: Safety Razor (scalp / hairy part wounds) Immodium (for the turista two-step, nothing OTC beats these, IMHO) GOOD Tweezers (ingrown hairs, splinters, ticks...) Plastic bags (I prefer a heavy zip-lock) Styptic (sp??) Pencil (stops annoying little bleeders - cuticles, etc.) Nail Clippers (clipping nails) Paper clips (less likely to cut you than safety pins when you bend 'em) Very Good Thread So Far!! Anyone keeping notes for the FAQ?? tim ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tim Meyer 600 March Road, | Witty comment Sales Mgr, Central America Kanata, ON, Canada | out for Newbridge Networks Corporation K2K 2E6 | repair. fone - (613) 591-6300 fax - (613) 599-3611 | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From rah@netcom.com Thu Jan 5 21:46:54 EST 1995 Article: 14246 of misc.rural Newsgroups: sci.geo.earthquakes,ca.earthquakes,misc.rural Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!ix.netcom.com!netcom.com!rah From: rah@netcom.com (Richard Hyde) Subject: Re: 72 Hour Emergency Supply Kits (**LONG**) Message-ID: Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest) X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] References: <3e708s$rn6@news.service.uci.edu> <3efj7s$h4g@quartz.ucs.ualberta.ca> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 1995 01:33:30 GMT Lines: 84 Xref: bigblue.oit.unc.edu sci.geo.earthquakes:200 misc.rural:14246 Mary Corman (mcorman@netcom.com) wrote: : I would like : to see a 72-hour MINIMUM list for that kind of emergency. Tips from : people who backpack in areas where they must carry water with them : could be useful. I haven't posted this in awhile - seems like a good time :-) Automobile Emergency Kit Flashlight Local maps & Extra batteries/bulb Waterproof notebook Emergency strobe Pencil/pen & Extra batteries Playing cards Road flares (3) $20 cash Traffic wand $10 quarters Fire Extinguisher (2A10BC) Knife Water (1/2 gal) Adjustable wrench Granola bars (12) Vice grips Survival bar (3 day) Pliers Morale foods (misc) Phillips screwdriver Toothbrush Standard screwdriver Toothpaste Pry bar (small) Disposable Razor Nylon line (50 ft) Duct tape (large roll) Wire (heavy, 2 yds) * Automobile medical kit Plastic wire ties (10) WD-40 (small can) Don't Panic button Gas siphon Rain suit Also in car: Space blanket Sweatshirt Walking shoes Leather gloves Blanket Dust mask (2) Gas can (2.5 gal) Butane lighter Nylon Rope (11mm, 110 ft) Waterproof matches Candles This kit, with the accompanying medical kit, is designed to keep Plastic garbage bags (2) one person fed,sheltered, and Safety pins (20) able to handle minor Whistle emergencies for two days. Toilet paper Watch Compass Portable radio & Extra batteries Total weight 23 lbs Disposable camera Updated 1/18/94 Automobile Medical Kit Tylenol 500mg (10) Ace bandage Asprin 325mg (25) Rolled gauze (2) Neosporin (small tube) Gauze pads 4x4 (5) Ipecac (small bottle) Gauze pads 3x2 (5) Decongestant (12) Triangular bandage Dramamine (6) Eye pad Antihistamine (12) Medical tape (1.5"x50') Antacid tablets (roll) Moleskin (1 sheet) Kaopectate (10) Bandaids 1/2x3 (15) Caffeine tablets 100mg (8) Bandaids 1/3x2 (6) Sunscreen (SPF 25) Instant cold pack Anesthetic gel (small tube) Ammonia inhalents (2) Soap (small bottle) Antiseptic wipes (6) Rubber gloves (2) Water disinfectant tablets Tampax From bc654@FreeNet.Carleton.CA Mon Nov 7 22:04:51 EST 1994 Article: 87609 of sci.med Newsgroups: sci.med Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!swiss.ans.net!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!bcarh189.bnr.ca!nott!cunews!freenet.carleton.ca!FreeNet.Carleton.CA!bc654 From: bc654@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Ketan Patel) Subject: EMERGENCY MEDICINE (The Textbook...) Message-ID: Sender: news@freenet.carleton.ca (Usenet News Admin) Organization: The National Capital FreeNet, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 06:23:05 GMT Lines: 15 Hello, I recently purchased "Emergency Medicine" 3rd Ed. (ACEP). Anyone out there reading this as well? Any comments as to the positive/negative points of this book? Just interested, Ketan. -- Ketan N. Patel bc654@Freenet.Carleton.ca Drug interaction card Sawyer extractor Oral rehydration salts Tweezers Bandage Scissors Scalpel, #11 Prescription medicines SAM splint Contact lens system Hypo-Hyperthermia thermometer 10cc syringe w/ 18 ga. catheter Medicine for Mountaineering Updated 4/17/90 -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Richard Hyde | RaH@netcom.com | This space intentionally left blank | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From dbarber@bbn.com Tue Sep 20 22:12:09 EDT 1994 Article: 610 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!ceylon!news2.near.net!info-server.bbn.com!dbarber From: dbarber@bbn.com (Dave Barber) Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Medicine Book Date: 20 Sep 1994 23:08:20 GMT Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman (BBN) Lines: 12 Message-ID: <35nq14$ii2@info-server.bbn.com> References: <35j3fr$bl6@masala.cc.uh.edu> <35k79b$c7n@dunx1.ocs.drexel.edu> <35nkhb$khe@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: labs-n.bbn.com I would like to suggest "Medicine for Mountaineering", 3rd ed., James A. Wilkerson (M.D.) ed., (The Mountaineers) as a great book for outdoor medicine. ISBN 0-89886-086-5. Its written for those who find themselves in remote situations. David -- *---------------------*------------------------------------------* | dbarber@bbn.com |"Man, its a good thing we hit that planet,| | BBN Systems, Calif. | otherwise we would have never stopped!" | *---------------------*------------------------------------------* From lziss2.lincroftnj.ncr.com!pwz Mon Mar 20 00:30:04 EST 1995 Article: 8598 of misc.survivalism Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!uunet!in1.uu.net!allegra!ulysses!lziss3!netnews From: lziss2.lincroftnj.ncr.com!pwz (Paul Zaccari) Subject: Book Review- Ditch Medicine Message-ID: Sender: netnews@lziss3.lincroftnj.ncr.com (51[news]-Netnews Admin) Organization: GIS X-Newsreader: WinVN 0.93.9 Date: Fri, 17 Mar 1995 20:56:08 GMT Lines: 69 Hi I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. This is a laymans review of a book on emergency medical procedures in the field. I sure wish a doctor would review this though. I have been casting around for books that goes beyond the first aid books that are available today. Something for those occasions when there is no way to contact an ambulance, or no ambulance to contact in any case. Ditch Medicine (ISBN 0-87364-717-3) seems, to my uneducated eye, fit the bill. The book covers medical procedures that can be done in the field when timely recource to a hospital is out of the question. The table of contents says it all: 1 Small wound repair. ( covers cleaning, debriding (YUK!) and closing of wounds). 2 Care for the infected wound. ( covers Atibiotic Therapy). 3 Decompression and drainage of the chest. ( Techniques and equipment for Chest Decompression). 4 Intravenous Therapy. (When and why to use IVs, how to.) 5 Emergency Airway Procedures. (For maintaining a clear airway or for emergency vetilation). 6 Anaphylactic shock. (Recognising and treating SEVERE allergic reactions). 7 Pain control (Describes the uses of Anesthesia and Nerve blocks). 8 Amputation (Yeeeaaaaa! All the gory details). 9 Burns (How to treat burns. More horrible stuff). 10 Nutrition and Emotional support. Ditch medicine gives you procedues that could save lives with very little in the way of equipment. After reading it I feel that I could (provided I had the nerve) attempt the procedures described with a good chance of success. Cost me $25. Hope that helps -------------------------------------------------------------------- |Paul Zaccari | "You can't get good chinese takeout in China and | | | cuban cigars are rationed in Cuba. That's all | |Speak softly | you need to know about communism." | |and carry. | -P.J. ORourke | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |"If I did a tenth of the things that the Kennedys do the Law would| |be all over me like ugly on Janet Reno." | | -Me | -------------------------------------------------------------------- From ka3ffy@telerama.lm.com Thu Oct 6 14:29:16 EDT 1994 Article: 1984 of misc.survivalism Path: bigblue.oit.unc.edu!concert!rutgers!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!news.sprintlink.net!redstone.interpath.net!ddsw1!godot.cc.duq.edu!hudson.lm.com!africa.lm.com!not-for-mail From: ka3ffy@telerama.lm.com Newsgroups: misc.survivalism Subject: Re: Prepared First Aids Kits? Check out American Red Cross ... Date: 5 Oct 1994 04:17:33 -0400 Organization: Telerama Public Access Internet, Pittsburgh, PA Lines: 43 Message-ID: <36tnet$9vg@africa.lm.com> References: NNTP-Posting-Host: africa.lm.com X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Kevin S. Guigley (guigley@aries.scs.uiuc.edu) wrote: > After Reading this group for abit, I decided to go back and get my American > Red Cross Standard First Cert. Tonight was CPR, but thurs is wounds, but > the instructor mentioned casually about the American Red Cross First Aid > Kit. I checked it out after class and it contains the basics like > 3 gauze rolls, and serveral different sized pads, antiseptic pads, > disposable gloves, EMT style scissor, tweezers, tape, trangular bandage, > and a space blanket. > It all comes with a felt case, and it's only $25. It's a nice start, and > you can always add more. I always like to have dental wax in my kits. > But, if you are looking to start with a nice size kit, and being IMHO > an ok price, I think it's ok. Check it out before, buying something else. > > later, > Kevin > > I am not in anyway connected with the ARC, just a guy taking a class. instead of paying $25 for a prepared kit.you can buy a good fishing tackle box and use it for a medical kit.we in the ambulance core call this setup as a crash box. you can store everything you could need in it. if you go to your local ambulance,and ask them to see their crash box,they would be willing to show you.just tell them you are looking for ideas to put in to your first aid kit. then talk to them about a first aid class and the advanced first aid class. take them so you will know what to do with your new kit.there are a lot of stuff you will learn about that you might not need to learn at that time but in the future, you never know.you may save a life. in my kit i have:2x2's,3x3's,4x4's,eyepads,bandaids,betadine(antiseptic),stteral water, bp cuff and steth,burn sheets,multi-trauma dressings,gauze,triangular bandages,surgical kit ( i was a former medic in the army).bite sticks,inhaliants, ect... a list of medical supplies will be forth coming. i have to get it together and post it. -- kevin gaudi ka3ffy@telerama.lm.com