OAUSA Net Feb 27, 2020 -First Aid Kits

[toms]

With your 4WD or SUV, you can easily be beyond 911 services in a matter of hours.
You need to rely on your own medical skills for a prolonged period of time.

Just as important, is to know when an injury or accidents is life threatening and warrants extraordinary efforts or when you have the time to transport someone yourself to a higher level of definitive care.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) courses have become the standard of medical training for many outdoor schools, camps, guide services, and government agencies.

Tonight we plan to discuss first aid kits as part of the gear your need along with your wilderness medical first aid skills. It has has been quite a few years since we visited this topic.

If you need to take a Wilderness first aid course the local Southern California instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates is Josh Jackson
wildlead@gmail.com
(619) 303-5688
http://www.wildlead.com

If you are not in Southern California jump on http://www.wildmed.com and find a local instructor and course near you.

[toms]

We have a number of questions to discuss tonight. We are looking for your input and thoughts.

1. Build or buy your first /aid kit
2. What kind of container
3. How many first aid kits
4. Survival items in the first Aid kit
5. Individual table packets or bottle
6. Documentation
7. Medications expiration management
8. Electronic devises vs analog
9. Personal Protection (not that kind)
10. Tools
11. Content management - keep Kit in good health
12. What do you take?
13. Any special items you would recommend?
14. Do you take items beyond your level of certification?

[DaveK]

FIRST AID KIT ESSENTIALS

Regardless of the amount of training you have received, you will not be able to retain everything. Even health care professionals cannot possess the entirety of medical information necessary to perform their job. This is precisely why there are a multitude of reference materials available for almost every level of medical knowledge. For wilderness travel, I have spotlighted two publications, which are described below and which can be a very useful addition to your first aid kit.

I know this is coming, so I'll address it now. The reference materials to which I will refer below, are not meant as a substitute for proper training and education. They will, however, serve as a supplement, for those who wish to be well prepared for the contingencies of wilderness travel. Wisdom should dictate that one accept the limitations of both his memory and training, and therefore be willing to carry as much information as possible on how to treat the conditions likely to occur in the wilderness.

Although I have settled on these two reference publications, I know there are others. These are an excellent start, however, and should be used in conjunction with your knowledge and training.

1. The first one is "First Aid, Survival, and CPR. The author is and EMT-P and an RN. It is small, easy to store, waterproof and reusable. It is described as a "Home and Field Pocket Guide", obviously because it will fit in a pocket. In addition to information on survival, safety and first aid, there is an excellent list of first aid kit components. It is available on Amazon for about $35.00, see Regardless of the amount of training you have received, you will not be able to retain everything. Even health care professionals cannot possess the entirety of medical information necessary to perform their job. This is precisely why there are a multitude of reference materials available for almost every level of medical knowledge. For wilderness travel, I have spotlighted two publications, which are described below and which can be a very useful addition to your first aid kit.

I know this is coming, so I'll address it now. The reference materials to which I will refer below, are not meant as a substitute for proper training and education. They will, however, serve as a supplement, for those who wish to be well prepared for the contingencies of wilderness travel. Wisdom should dictate that one accept the limitations of both his memory and training, and therefore be willing to carry as much information as possible on how to treat the conditions likely to occur in the wilderness.

Although I have settled on these two reference publications, I know there are others. These are an excellent start, however, and should be used in conjunction with your knowledge and training.

1. The first one is "First Aid, Survival, and CPR. The author is and EMT-P and an RN. It is small, easy to store, waterproof and reusable. It is described as a "Home and Field Pocket Guide", obviously because it will fit in a pocket. In addition to information on survival, safety and first aid, there is an excellent list of first aid kit components. It is available on Amazon for about $35.00, see http://www.amazon.com/First-Aid-Surviva ... al+and+cpr .

First Aid Survival and CPR 2020.jpg (34.07 KiB) Viewed 1079 times

2. The second one is "Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to First Aid and Medical Emergency" by Paul S. Auerbach MD. Here is the description that accompanies the book on Amazon:

Since 1986, Medicine for the Outdoors has been hailed as the definitive take-along manual on the subject. Packed with step-by-step instructions, how-to explanations, and practical approaches to outdoor and wilderness emergencies, it tells you the best ways to respond to just about any medical problem when help is miles or days away. Author Paul S. Auerbach, MD, MS, FACEP, FAWM, is recognized as one of the world's leading authorities on wilderness medicine. This 5th edition features major updates to bring you the latest on emerging infectious diseases...the most current drug and dosage information...an increased emphasis on making do with the materials at hand...and much more. Logically organized, easy to reference, and simple to understand, Medicine for the Outdoors may literally save your life. When you're venturing into mountains, deserts, forests, jungles, or out to sea, it belongs in your duffel or backpack!

Provides the most diverse and comprehensive coverage of medical conditions related to the outdoors.
Offers logical and complete explanations of every topic.
Includes numerous drawings and instructions to enhance your understanding of the descriptive material.
Contains recommendations for injury and illness prevention.
Features a comprehensive index that helps you locate answers quickly.

Offers an increased emphasis on making do with the materials at hand (like using a fanny pack as a cervical collar).
Presents the latest guidance on dangerous infections like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), avian flu, and West Nile virus.
Offers current and accurate drug and dosage information via careful updates throughout.
Provides new safety recommendations on avalanches, forest fires, bear attacks, and more.
Demonstrates how to apply various bandages and splints with the aid of brand-new drawings.

Little more needs to be mentioned about this reference material, other than to underscore how important this book can be. It is available in paperback for about $20.00 on Amazon, see: https://www.amazon.com/Medicine-Outdoor ... r+medicine .

Medicine For The Outdoors.jpg (34.52 KiB) Viewed 1079 times

[toms]

Wilderness and Rescue Medicine - Jeffrey Isaac PA-C and David E Johnson MD

I highly recommend this book. I have read this cover to cover in the last 3 weeks. The 6th edition is very well structured and easy to understand. This book is a full Wilderness First Responder Class.

Guide to Practicing Medicine in Challenging Environments Wilderness and Rescue Medicine: A Practical Guide for the Basic and Advanced Practitioner provides the critical insight and tools required to practice medicine in remote or challenging environments. There is no place in field medicine for unreasonable restrictions on the practical application of medical judgment―that is the guiding philosophy of this user-friendly guide. Wilderness and Rescue Medicine: A Practical Guide for the Basic and Advanced Practitioner teaches readers how to improvise, adapt and exercise reasonable judgment at any level of medical training and in any difficult environment, from the desert to the oceans, from the backwoods to cities stricken by disaster. Grounded in the collective wisdom of hundreds of instructors, rescue personnel and medical practitioners, this text explores medical problems in a broad wilderness.

Wilderness Medicine.jpg (45.72 KiB) Viewed 1078 times

This is the Wilderness Medical Associates Pocket Field Guide that all Wilderness First Responders Receive. I carry one in my cargo pocket most times.

WMA Field Guide 2.jpg (251.48 KiB) Viewed 1029 times

[DaveK]

FIRST AID KIT PROTECTION, LOCATION, AND QUANTITY

1. PROTECTION

What you use to store your first aid kit can be just as important as the items themselves. Too many conditions exist that can damage your first aid kit, and for something as important as your kit. it pays to give it as much protection as possible. Pelican cases naturally come to mind. Their advantages are numerous, and include:

• 1. waterproof
  2, dust proof
  3. extremely sturdy and robust
  4. come in a huge variety of sizes to fit almost any space
  5. lifetime warranty
  6. made in the USA
  7. outstanding protection to case contents

Like so many other things, this is one where you get just what you pay for. Here are two examples of Pelican cases. The smaller of the two (the first picture) is an easy fit into almost any 4X4, and should your kit contents be large, a second Pelican of the same size can be enough to fit them all.

The second picture is Pelicans EMT case, and is a great asset for home use and emergency preparedness.

DTK Pelican FAK 1 (Large).jpg (149.23 KiB) Viewed 1076 times

Large Pelican EMS.jpg (823.79 KiB) Viewed 1076 times

2. LOCATION AND LABELING

Your first aid kit(s) should be easy to access, easy to find, and well labeled. While you may know where your kit is, others may not, and a clear label on the kit in a location that is easy to see and access, can make a difference.

IMG_0696 (Large).JPG (109.17 KiB) Viewed 1076 times

3. QUANTITY

Sometimes, having more than one kit can be beneficial.

CASE IN POINT: Some things in your kit get used much more than others, and time and experience will tell you which items they are. In my case, I have found that there are a select few things that come up much more often than others, and I have discovered it is so much more convenient to have a smaller kit that is very accessible, in addition to the main kit. Located in the driver's door panel in a small case is my "quick kit", which makes it easier and quicker to treat the most common minor injuries and problems.

The items that I include are:

• band-aids

• Neosporin

• aspirin

• tweezers

• alcohol wipes

• Tums / Pepto Bismal

• illuminated tweezers with magnifying lens

The Yaesu HT is in the picture just to give reference to the size of this kit.

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IMG_0695 (Large).JPG (114.22 KiB) Viewed 1076 times

[toms]

Compartmentalize

Main First Aid Kit.JPG (405.17 KiB) Viewed 1062 times

Compartmenatalize.JPG (402.1 KiB) Viewed 1062 times

Boo boo bag.JPG (477.61 KiB) Viewed 1062 times

[Diesel4x]

thanks for early check in, KF6KOC Randy.

[Geoff]

Please check me in.
Thank you.

[justrom]

My wilderness medicine training is through NOLS, https://nols.edu/en/coursefinder/sessio ... nd_months=

I like their reference materials, the Pocket Guide folds to index card size and will fit in all but the smallest first aid kits. The spiral bound Field Guide is a reference for the Wilderness First Responder and is a great memory aid with more details for assessing and treating injuries and illnesses.

Pocket Guide - https://store.nols.edu/collections/publ ... cket-guide

Field Guide - https://store.nols.edu/collections/publ ... th-edition

[Ionyx]

Good evening, please check me in.
Pablo
KN6BOZ